The objectives of this research are 1) to study the difficulties in English speaking skills encountered by B.A. second year students at the Faculty of Humanities, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, 2) to propose solutions to overcome difficulties in English speaking skills encountered by B.A. second year students at the Faculty of Humanities, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University. T
he researcher mixed qualitative and quantitative method. A questionnaire used for collecting quantitative data from 39 students at second year majoring English at the Faculty of Humanities, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University in academic year 2018 and in-depth interviews were used for collecting qualitative data from 15 key informants. Statistics including Percentage, Mean and Standard Deviation (SD) presented below.
Results of the study are as follows:
1. The survey questionnaires and interview of students who are studying at MCU, revealed that the result of data analysis for vocabulary that causes the students to feel anxious about their ability to properly use English vocabulary,
resulting at overall such as moderate level for mean of 3.26. In pronunciation, students using their mother tongue in English speaking resulted in overall such as moderate level for mean of 3.21. The participants having a lack of confidence in English speaking found to be at moderate level, with an overall mean at 3.05. The participants who use social Media was also at a moderate level with mean at 3.08.
2. The following derived from interviews with key informants. The most difficulties in the English speaking skill of second year students often encounter included 1) The student’s lack of and limited vocabulary. 2) The students make mistakes in pronouncing, and often use their mother language. 3) The students cannot hear nor understand the pronunciation of the person speaking. 4) The students lack of confidence.
3. The researcher proposed solutions to overcome difficulties to improve the speaking skill included: 1) Students should read English newspapers and magazines and watch the news on cable TV or visit Internet sites. 2) Students must listen to native speakers and repeat many times. 3) Students must often listen to English every time through social media including the international channel of YouTube website. 4) Students must practice speaking by talking with friends via social networks, and attend activities based on easy games and speaking tasks that include everyone. The students must SPEAK, and should become familiar with pairs work and group work to practice.
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