PROBLEMS AND OBSTACLES IN DEVELOPING ENGLISH SPEAKING SKILLS AMONG FIRST-YEAR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

บทคัดย่อ

This study aimed to investigate the problems and obstacles in developing English-speaking skills among first-year students at a public university in northeastern Thailand. The sample consisted of 30 first-year students enrolled in the English for Communication course during the first semester of the 2025 academic year, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire consisting of 35 items, which was divided into three parts: (1) participants’ general background information, (2) problems related to English-speaking skills, and (3) obstacles affecting the development of these skills. The questionnaires were administered directly to the participants during class sessions. The data were analyzed using mean and standard deviations (S.D.).

The findings revealed that two out of twenty items were rated at a very high level of speaking difficulty. The most significant problems identified were limited vocabulary (x̄ = 4.63) and limited understanding of grammar (x̄ = 4.53), suggesting that linguistic competence is a major barrier to effective communication. In terms of obstacles to developing speaking skills, the results showed that large class size was the most critical issue (x̄ = 4.60), as it limited students’ opportunities to engage in speaking activities effectively. Additionally, students reported other challenges, including a noisy classroom environment, lack of confidence, and limited opportunities to practice English with teachers, classmates, and foreign speakers. These factors collectively hinder the development of students’ English-speaking proficiency.