Exploring Benefits of Extracurricular Activities Used in English Language Learning among Thai Undergraduate Students

Extracurricular activities (ECA) play vital roles in English language learning for they help develop learners’ language skills. Moreover, ECA are proved to also enhance social skills. Lawhorn (2008) explains that ECA give students a chance to form friendships and develop social skills as they can meet others who share those same interests. Mancha & Ahmad (2016) also state in their research that through extra-curricular activities, the students will be educated in the form of spiritual, leadership, teamwork as well as self-confidence.

This study, therefore, was conducted in order to explore benefits students gain and different skills they achieved through their involvement in the ECA. It was also aimed to measure students’ satisfaction when performing the activities. The subject of the study was eighty four university students studying in architecture and design related programmes in a state university. All of them experienced ECA through four different activities used to supplement their English language learning. All the activities were organised by their English language instructors who were the researchers of this study. The data were collected using survey questionnaires and the interview method. The research findings indicate that the students acquired different skills, both language and non-language, according to the activity they participated in. The benefits they obtained from all the activities also vary.