Role- play: an Effective Strategy for Teaching Speaking of English Major Students Studying English for Hotel 2 in Thailand

Abstract

This qualitative classroom-based study investigates the effectiveness of role-playing activities in enhancing English speaking skills among fourth-year English major students enrolled in the "English for Hotel and Tourism in Thailand" course at a private university in Bangkok. The study focuses on three core areas: pronunciation, speaking confidence, and the use of appropriate vocabulary in context. So that, the selection of the participants was conducted through the purposive sampling technique. To collect data, several tools were utilized: (1) oral assessments conducted before, during, and after the role-play sessions; (2) self-assessment sheets; (3) observations; (4) program evaluation questionnaires; (5) video reviews of role-play sessions; and (6) interview questions. These methods sought to examine whether students improved their pronunciation, confidence, and vocabulary use in context after participating in role-playing activities across three lessons. The findings indicate all participants showed measurable progress in their pronunciation with notable enhancement in stress, intonation, rhythm, and clarity of speech. In addition, they gained greater confidence in speaking English, particularly when engaging with foreign speakers by becoming more comfortable using the language in a professional context. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that there are significant improvements in participants’ ability to use vocabulary appropriately across different situations. The researcher recommended exploring several key areas to enhance the effectiveness of role-play as a pedagogical tool in English language learning.