Developing speaking abilities of Thai EFL learners through problem-based group discussion

This study was conducted to explore: 1) the extent to which problem-based group discussion develops Thai EFL learners’ speaking ability; and 2) the opinions of Thai EFL learners toward problem-based group discussion. To achieve these purposes, a quasi-experimental, one-design was implemented. The participants comprised 29 grade 9 learners from Nawaminthrachinuthit Suankularbwittayalai Samutprakarn School with mixed English proficiency. The instruments used in this study were divided into two types: the instructional instrument, which was a lesson plan, and the research instrument, which was an oral test, including a pretest, posttest, and questionnaire. The qualitative data from open-ended questions were analyzed and categorized into small themes. Statistics were used to compute the quantitative data, which was a questionnaire and an oral test. The findings indicate that the use of problem-based group discussions by teachers resulted in significant development not only in Thai EFL learners' speaking abilities, encompassing fluency, vocabulary, grammar, and content, but also in their critical thinking and collaboration skills. Moreover, the questionnaire results demonstrate that Thai EFL learners hold a positive opinion of problem-based group discussion, specifically highlighting its effectiveness in providing opportunities to practice their speaking abilities. For future research endeavors, it is advisable to expand the participant pool to increase the generalizability of the findings. Additionally, extending the treatment period would allow for a more in-depth exploration of the long-term effects of problem-based group discussions. Incorporating a wider range of topics would also enhance the variety and relevance of the instructional materials.