The Effect of Role-Play and Simulation Approach on Enhancing ESL Oral Communication Skills

This study investigated the effect of roleplay and simulation approach on Malaysian Polytechnic engineering students rsquo; ESL oral communication skills. In addition, the study examined the students rsquo; perceptions of the effect of the roleplay and simulation on their oral communication skills. A mixed method design was employed, using both quantitative and qualitative data collection approaches. The quantitative data were collected from the quasiexperimental study (n=100). The data were collected using a set of questionnaires, a pre and posttest. The data from the questionnaires were analysed using descriptive statistics (percentages and means). The results showed that there was a significant difference between the pretest and the posttest scores of the roleplay and simulation group compared to the traditional group. The findings indicated that the students in the roleplay and simulation group had performed better in the posttest compared to the pretest after the exposure to the roleplay and simulation approach in the ESL oral communication skills classes. An implication of the study is that roleplay and simulation approach can serve as a possible strategy to improve students rsquo; ESL oral communication skills.