Debate: One of the Key Factors to Improving Students’ English Language Speaking Skills

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58421/gehu.v2i2.69

Authors

  • Bunheng Ban School of Foreign Languages, the University of Cambodia
  • Sina Pang Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University
  • Sereyrath Em Western University, Phnom Penh https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6803-195X

Keywords:

Challenges, Debate, EFL, English Language , Speaking Skills

Abstract

Over the last decade, English debates have become very popular in Cambodia. Most students with experience debating in English tend to have good English-speaking skills. It is interesting to learn more about the effect of debating in English on these students’ English language skills. Thus, this research paper aims to look into the debate's impact on the English language speaking skills of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) university students who have participated in debate competitions in Cambodia. It was a case study at The University of Cambodia (UC). The qualitative approach was used, and the total participants in the study were ten undergraduate students who participated in a debate competition in the English language in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The study results showed that the respondents positively perceived a debate. They reported that debate improved their English language speaking skills. In conclusion, the debate has positively impacted my speaking performance and other critical thinking skills. Therefore, it should be added to the university's program as an extracurricular activity.

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Author Biographies

Bunheng Ban, School of Foreign Languages, the University of Cambodia

Bunheng Ban used to work as Director of Finance and Assets, Deputy Director of Administration, and Personal Assistant to SEATV's President in Southeast Asia Television (SEATV), but currently, he has changed his career to working in the education sector, and he serves as Deputy Director of the ASEAN Study Center and Assistant to the President of the University of Cambodia.

Sina Pang, Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University

Sina Pang is a Cambodian government teacher of English with a higher education degree working at Bun Rany Hun Sen Bati High School, a part-time lecturer at the University of Cambodia (UC), and a Director of the Academic Foundation Department at the University of Cambodia (UC). His research interests include English language education at secondary school, ICT in education, and English teaching methodology. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the Royal University of Phnom Penh, and a Master’s Degree in TEFL from The University of Cambodia. Currently, he is a research student in International Education at Hiroshima University.

Sereyrath Em, Western University, Phnom Penh

Sereyrath Em is a Cambodian government teacher of English with a higher education degree working at Kith Meng Brasat high school, a visiting lecturer at the National University of Cheasim Kamchaymear (NUCK), and an Associate Managing Editor of the Cambodian Journal of Educational Research (CJER). Prior to this, he was a secondary school teacher of English and Khmer languages working at Darakum lower-secondary school between 2012 and 2015. In 2017, he graduated with a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MA in TESOL) from Human Resource University (HRU), and in 2019, he graduated with a Master of Education in Educational Administration from the National Institute of Education (NIE) with the support from Cambodia International Education Support Foundation (CIESF). Then he was also trained at Regional Language Center (RELC) two times between early 2020 and early 2021 concerning teaching listening, speaking, reading, and writing. His research interests include English language teaching, teaching methodology, educational management, educational leadership, learning and teaching motivation, and learning and teaching challenges. Currently, he is a Ph.D. candidate in Educational Administration at Western University, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Email: sereyrathem.edu@gmail.com

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Published

2023-05-01

How to Cite

[1]
B. Ban, S. Pang, and S. Em, “Debate: One of the Key Factors to Improving Students’ English Language Speaking Skills”, J.Gen.Educ.Humanit., vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 107–120, May 2023.

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 2 (2023): May

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Articles

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