NANDA PAMBUDI (YOGYAKARTA STATE UNIVERSITY)

ENHANCING ENGLISH PROFICIENCY: NONG NGHIEP HOMESTAY'S FREE TALK PROGRAM WITH FOREIGNERS SPURS STUDENT SPEAKING SKILLS : INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION AND GLOBAL COMPETENCIES

Implementing a free-talk program could enhance or facilitate Students' English speaking. Free talk programs allow students to practice their English with people from other countries. The objective of the free talk program is to acquaint students with the practice of conversing in English with individuals from other countries. Specifically, this study aims to detail how Nong Nghiep Homestay introduced and implemented a free talk program to help its students improve their English conversational abilities with native or non-native speakers. This study employs a qualitative descriptive methodology. It involved two managers, four Foreigners, and seven Vietnamese students. The data were gathered by systematically observing and conducting interviews an analysed using thematic analysis. The findings of this study demonstrate that the free talk program offers a helpful setting for improving speaking abilities when learning English. Several foreigners can assist the students in speaking English during the free talk session. The students can contact people from other countries almost twenty-four hours a day. It can help students become more comfortable conversing in English with people from different cultural backgrounds. Furthermore, student engagement was an essential factor in the program's achievement. In the free talk program, students engage in various activities, including group discussions, role plays, visual descriptions, and interview styles. Based on the findings, students learn to engage in natural and direct conversation with foreigners using free talk programs. In addition, free talk programs offer students a wonderful and encouraging setting where they may develop their English skills, particularly their speaking abilities.

My name is Nanda Pambudi. I am a graduated from Master of Education in English Education Department at Yogyakarta State University, Indonesia. Currently, I work as a teacher and teach English and ESP. Highly interested in Intercultural Issue, Education in English Language Teaching, Technology and Assessment, and CCU.