A Study of Oral Communication Strategies Used by Environmental Health Students

Abstract

ASEAN countries have gradually created the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by 2015. Due to AEC, many ASEAN countries have awoken especially for enhancing communication skills. Different approaches have been used for English language teaching. Communication strategies were interesting to develop the ability and integrate the other skills. This study aimed to investigate the oral communication strategies used by environmental health students. A total of 90 participants from Faculty of Public and Environmental Health, Huachiew Chalermprakiet University. The data were collected vis a survey and an interview and were analyzed by means of frequency, and content analysis. Results from the survey indicated that fourth year students used all oral communication strategies in all factors. Social Affection Strategies and Message Avoidance or Reduction Strategies were the most frequently used whereas Negotiation for Meaning while Speaking Strategies and Grammar-Oriented Strategies were rarely used. For coping with listening problems, Paying Attention to Speaker Strategies and Negotiation for Meaning while Listening Strategies were frequently used whereas Focusing on Small Part Strategies and Getting the Gist Strategies were rarely used among them. However, the study indicated that the course levels did not show significant differences on the use of strategies.