THE EFFECTS OF ROLE PLAYING ON ENGLISH SPEAKING IN THE CONTEXT OF A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM DESIGNED FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

Abstract

        This study was conducted in the context of adult learners with low English proficiency enrolling in a Bachelor of Political Science Program in a Rajabhat University, Thailand. The purpose of the study was to investigate the extend of the learners gain in speaking skill improvement after the use of role playing as part of a language subject in the program. The study used an experimental posttest only design with one group of the participants receiving an intervention, which is role-playing, designed to cultivate English speaking skill necessary for law enforcement. Data were analyzed with percentage, means, and standard deviation. Study tools included communicative-language-teaching lesson plans, and an indirect language test paper in the form of multiple-choice questions in the situations arising while they are on duty. The test determined whether and to what extent grammatical form and grammatical meaning had an effect on use of English after instruction. The results of the study presented empirical evidence in support of the validity of the two underlying constructs operationalized in the role playing used in class. The study had both theoretical and pedagogical implications in addition to implication with respect to accountability.