DEVELOPING SPEAKING COMPETENCE AMONG ENGLISH LANGUAGE UNDERGRADUATES IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Speaking competence is a crucial skill that enables individuals to communicate effectively and confidently in academic, professional, and social settings. In a multilingual and multicultural society like Pakistan, proficiency in spoken English is essential for success. However, many English language undergraduates struggle with spoken fluency, limiting their ability to express themselves confidently in real-life situations. This study explores how undergraduates perceive their competence in spoken English and the challenges they face when speaking English in everyday interactions. Adopting a qualitative research design, the study collected data through in-depth interviews with English undergraduates and their teachers at a public university in Pakistan. Purposive sampling ensured diverse perspectives, and thematic analysis approach was used to analyse students’ and teachers’ narratives. The findings revealed that students have varied perceptions of their speaking competence, often influenced by their classroom experiences, learning environment, and personal confidence levels. Many students struggle with fluency, pronunciation, coherence, and grammatical accuracy, which hinders their ability to communicate effectively. Furthermore, students face several challenges in real-life communication, including anxiety, fear of making mistakes, and lack of speaking opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. The study highlights the gap between theoretical learning and practical language use, emphasizing the need for more interactive and communicative learning approaches in ESL classrooms. The findings have significant implications for curriculum design, teaching methodologies, and language policies, urging educators to integrate more speaking-focused activities that enhance students’ confidence and fluency in English. By addressing these challenges, this research contributes to the ongoing efforts to develop speaking competence among English language undergraduates in Pakistan.