VIETTESOL INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION 2025

Teachers and learners of English are well aware of the fact that a good command of the language includes many components, among which aspects of connected speech must be taken into serious consideration if one wants to participate in an international environment. However, at the high school level, aspects of connected speech have not received attention commensurate with their roles. Avery and Ehrlich (1995) suggested that supra-segmental features are far more important and central to communication than accurate production of the individual sounds. Accordingly, the researcher assumes that an adequate knowledge of aspects of connected speech will help improve the students’ communication skill. To examine whether aspects of connected speech could really better students’ ability in oral communication, an empirical study was conducted at Le Quy Don High School for the Gifted in Binh Dinh. The data, both qualitative and quantitative, were collected through the pre- and post-test, as well as the questionnaires. The results from the statistical analysis of the pre- and post-test showed that there was a significant improvement in the students’ oral communication through the use of aspects of connected speech, which made their speech more natural. In the light of these findings, some recommendations were made for a better instruction of aspects of connected speech, so that they would be used for students of other schools with the same conditions and setting.