Enhancing Public Speaking in English: The Role of Explicit Pragmatics Instruction for Thai ESL Undergraduate Students (KEY IJP************035)

• Dr. Sam Mafi

Abstract

This study explores the impact of explicit pragmatics instruction on enhancing public speaking skills among Thai undergraduate students learning English as a Second Language (ESL). Pragmatic competence, often overlooked in traditional ESL curricula, plays a crucial role in effective communication. The research adopts a quasi-experimental design, involving two groups of undergraduate students: an experimental group receiving explicit pragmatics instruction and a control group following a standard communicative approach. Over 16 weeks, participants in the experimental group demonstrated significant improvement in their ability to employ contextually appropriate language, manage speech acts, and navigate audience interaction effectively. These findings underscore the importance of integrating pragmatics-focused teaching methods to address specific communicative challenges faced by Thai ESL students in public speaking contexts. This study contributes to pedagogical practices by offering a framework for embedding pragmatic instruction into ESL courses, fostering more confident and competent speakers.