Title:
Determining the effects of using VOA news to teach
speaking skills for the third - year English major students
at Hong Duc university.
PART ONE: INTRODUCTION
In this part there are four sections. After the introduction, the
second section presents a rationale based on theoretical, pedagogical
and contextual grounds, which serve as a foundation for the study.
The focus of the study is lined in the third section, together with the
research aims, objectives, questions and scope. The final section of
this part describes the organization of the study.
1. Rationale
English nowadays is increasingly being used as a tool for
interaction among non-native speakers. It has become the vital device
for communication in all fields. It is regarded as a bridge which joins
people all over the world together.
The atmosphere of English Language Teaching in the Vietnam
has been greatly improved in the past 15 years since the country
opened its door to the rest world and welcomed diplomatic, economic,
social and education relations with many other nations. English has
become the major medium of communication between the Vietnamese
and their foreign partners. Today, when globalization is an irreversible
trend in the international arene, the role of English in Vietnam is ever
more critical.
It cannot be denied that English has become an international
language. It is the means of communication in all the fields of our
everyday life. In Vietnam, English has been taught and learnt widely.
Peole learn English for many reasons: getting a better job, travelling,
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reading books, magazines or newspapers in English, improving
knowledge, being teachers of English.

In the world, there are a lot of linguists studying English in
general and Englis speaking skills in particular such as Woodward,
Widdowson, Tomlinson and Sanderson.
2.2. In Vietnam
Vietnam has many researchers about speaking skills such as
Nguyen Quoc Hung, Bui Thi Anh Tuyet, Nguyen Thi Thu Huong and
so on. They make a great contribution in studying and VOA -news to
teach speaking skills.
3. Research purpose
The study aims to apply VOA news as a kind of language
teaching materials in teaching speaking skills to the third-year English
major students of Department of foreign languages at Hong Duc
University.
4. Research questions
4.1. What language teaching materials have been used frequently to
teach speaking skills to English majors at Hong Duc University?
4.2. To what extent do teachers of English majors at Hong Duc
University use VOA as a kind of language teaching materials in their
speaking classes?
4.3. To what extent does VOA news work in EFL speaking classes at
Hong Duc University?
5. Objectives of the study
5.1. Review the theoretical literature on VOA news as a kind of
language teaching materials used to provide students with suitable
authentic materials and its role in teaching EFL and speaking skills, so
as to provide teachers with a better understanding about these subject
matter.
5.2. Investigate classroom tasks in speaking lessons through
textbooks and teacher’ materials being used at Hong Duc University.
5.3. Investigate the effectiveness of using VOA news to teach

materials in the teaching of speaking will consist of three lessons only
due to the time con strains, and can act as a guide for language teacher
in providing instructional materials are adapt from relevant VOA
news programs used by teachers at Hong Duc University with some
modifications.
9.Significance of the study:
VOA news provides students with authentic materials through
listening or reading so students may base on the information from
those materials to expand the content of their speeches.VOA news can
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develop previous experience for students. It creates situation in which
there is a need for precise communication.VOA news can help
challenge students to discover new truths or insights by confronting
them with previous unknown predicament.VOA news increasea
motivationand provides the incentive to work hard. It fosters a sense
of responsibility and co-operation among students if they are made to
work in pairs or in groups.VOA news can motivate teachers to meet
the needs of students.It promotes students’learning prosess.When the
teacher uses these materials to draw back to a lesson and gives
students something with which they can associate a word, phrase or
concept, the students will have a greater impact in their mind about
the lesson.
10. Outline of the research
Chapter I: Literature review
1. Communicative Approach
1.1. The communicative approach
1.2. Communicative activitiess
2. Definition of speaking skills
2.1. Introduction
2.2. Nature of language skills and the oral communication.

2.2. The instruments for carrying out the study
Chapter III. Data collection and discussion
Question 1: What language teaching materials have been used
frequently to teach speaking skills to English majors at Hong Duc
University?
Question 2: To what extent do teachers of English majors at Hong
Duc University use VOA news as a kind of language teaching
materials in their speaking classes?
Question 3: To what extent does VOA news work in EFL speaking
classes at Hong Duc University?
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PART THREE: CONCLUSION
Introduction
1. Implications and suggestions for teaching speaking using VOA
news
1.1. For the teachers
1.2. Some considerations when using VOA news
2. Limitation and Recommendation for further study
Conclusion.
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12. References
1. Edward, C.(2005). Teachers Exploring Tasks in English
Language Teaching. Palgrave.
2. Nunan. David.(1995). Language Teaching Methodology. A
Textbook for Teachers.
3. Alejandro, G.Martinez.(2002). Authentic Materials: An
Overview. Mexico City.
4. Teeler, D; Gray P. (2002). How to Use the Internet in EFL.
Longman.
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