The Impact of Neuro-Linguistic Programming on Speaking Skills: An Intervention Study

Authors

  • Aby John

    Faculty of Philology, Institute of Modern Languages, Intercultural Communication and Migration, RUDN University, Moscow 117198, Russia

  • Vijayakumar Selvaraj

    B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology, Vandalur 600048, India

  • Senthamarai Thennavan

    Department of English, Vels Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies, Chennai 600117, India

  • Karthik Kumar S

    Department of English, Annamalai University, Chidambaram 608002, India

  • Revathi Ponnudurai

    Department of English, Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai 600062, India

  • Syed Shamsudeen G

    Department of English, The New College, Chennai 600014, India

  • Sathikulameen A

    Department of English, The New College, Chennai 600014, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i4.9274
Received: 28 March 2025 | Revised: 3 April 2025 | Accepted: 12 April 2025 | Published Online: 15 April 2025

Abstract

This paper tested the impact of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) on speaking skills. The study was conducted in India. It involved first-year ESP (English for Specific Purposes) learners of MBA at B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, India. It is observed that there is a paucity of empirical research on NLP strategies in the academic speaking environment. Since the integration of applying Neuro Linguistic Programming methods for academic speaking skill enhancement, it had not been studied in-depth by researchers. It creates a knowledge gap and this research provides insights into this unexplored area of study. It used an experimental approach, with 55 participants in the experimental group and 55 in the non-intervention group. The experimental group completed a 30-hour NLP-driven intervention. The t-test result shows a significant statistical effect on the test performance of NLP students. There was a crucial difference between their scores and those of the control group. The findings of the study suggested that NLP intervention has a significant effect on the academic speaking skills of the learners. The results of the study may also assist educators in this field in devising more pedagogical strategies that involve NLP learning styles. It will also help to improve the academic application of NLP in L2 contexts.

Keywords:

NLP Pedagogy; Intervention Study; Speaking Skills; Presentation Skills; Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP); English for Specific Purposes (ESP)

References

[1] Begum, A.J., Paulraj, I.J.M., Banu, S.H., 2022. Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) as a promising technique of communicative English language teaching. Scholar International Journal of Linguistics and Literature. 5(3), 100–104.

[2] Eduard, F.V.F., 2011. The Neuro-Linguistic Programming - approach to conflict resolution, negotiation and change. Journal of Conflictology. 2(1), 1–5.

[3] Weigang, W., 2011. The implication of post-method on English teaching. Value Engineering. 26, 191.

[4] Bandler, R., Grinder, J., 1979. Frogs into Princes: Neuro Linguistic Programming. Real People Press: Moab, UT, USA.

[5] Akshay, R.S., Sunny, A., Saranya, V.S., et al., 2024. Engineering Students’ Attitudes and Perceptions towards Project-Based Learning: A Study from Kerala, Southern India. Proceedings of The 2024 IEEE International Conference on Teaching, Assessment and Learning for Engineering (TALE); December 9–12, 2024; Bengaluru, India. pp. 1–5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/tale62452.2024.10834355

[6] Legall, J., Dondon, P., 2006. Neuro-Linguistic Programming: A Personal Development Tool Applied to the Pedagogy and to the Improvement of Teachers/Students 8th Relations. Proccedings of The 5 WSEAS International Conference; December 16–18, 2006; Tenerife, Spain. pp. 13–17.

[7] Mayne, R., 2017. A critical look at NLP in ELT. English Australia Journal. 33(1), 43–54.

[8] John, A., 2021. A sociolinguistic perspective on the increasing relevance of the English language: A study conducted among youngsters. International Journal of English Language and Literature Studies. 10(1), 11–21. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.23.2021.101.11.21

[9] Aswin, A., Anzar, S.M., Subheesh, N.P., et al., 2024. Enhancing Electronics Education through Augmented Reality and Automated Circuit Verification: A Comprehensive Workflow Design. Proccedings of The 2024 IEEE International Conference on Teaching, Assessment and Learning for Engineering (TALE); December 9–12, 2024; Bangalore, India. pp. 1–8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/tale62452.2024.10834354

[10] Vieira, C.R., Gaspar, M.F., 2013. Teacher education for effectiveness and well-being with neuro linguistic programming. US-China Education Review. 3(1), 1–17.

[11] Bandler, R., Grinder, J., 1976. The Structure of Magic II: A Book about Communication and Change. Science and Behavior Books, Inc.: Palo Alto, CA, USA.

[12] Field, E.S., 1990. Neurolinguistic programming as an adjunct to other psychotherapeutic/hypnotherapeutic interventions. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis. 32(3), 174–182.

[13] John, A., 2024. Gamification in English language teaching: A pathway to fostering teacher-student rapport, teacher immediacy and students’ willingness to communicate. XLinguae. 17(4), 47–58. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18355/xl.2024.17.04.04

[14] Dijo, A.P., KP., A.K., Subheesh, N.P., et al., 2024. Engineering Educators’ Adoption and implementation of Project-Based Learning: Experiences from a South Indian University. Proccedings of The 2024 IEEE International Conference on Teaching, Assessment and Learning for Engineering (TALE); December 9–12, 2024; Bengaluru, India. pp. 1–8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/TALE62452.2024.10834364

[15] Tosey, P., Mathison, J., 2003. Neuro-linguistic programming and learning theory: A response. The Curriculum Journal. 14(3), 361–378. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/0958517032000137667

[16] Vygotskiĭ, L.S., Cole, M., Stein, S., et al., 1978. Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Psychological Processes. Harvard University Press: Cambridge, MA, USA.

[17] Lantolf, J.P., Thorne, S.L., 2006. Sociocultural Theory and the Genesis of Second Language Development. Oxford University Press: Oxford, UK.

[18] Guseynova, I.A., Levshits, A.D., Dubinina, N.V., 2024. Cultural and historical heritage of the republic of Tyva as ethnocultural brand formation factor. RUDN Journal of Language Studies, Semiotics and Semantic. 15(4), 1148–1168. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22363/2313-2299-2024-15-4-1148-1168

[19] Willingham, D.T., Lloyd, J.W., 2007. How educational theories can use neuroscientific data. Mind, Brain, and Education. 1, 140–149.

[20] John, A., 2025a. Revolutionizing STEAM education: Harnessing the power of AI and digital technology to deliver personalized learning experiences. In: Son, N.D. (ed.). Integrating Personalized Learning Methods Into STEAM Education. IGI Global Scientific Publishing: Hershey, PA, USA. pp. 143–168. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-7718-5.ch007

[21] Freeman, D., Richards, J.C., 1996. Teacher Learning in Language Teaching. Cambridge University Press: New York, NY, USA.

[22] Craft, A., 2001. Neuro-linguistic programming and learning theory. The Curriculum Journal. 12(1), 125–136.

[23] Poffel, S.A., Cross, H.J., 1985. Neurolinguistic programming: A test of the eye-movement hypothesis. Perceptual and Motor Skills. 61(3), 1262.

[24] Darn, S., 2005. Neuro-linguistic programming in ELT: Teaching English. Available from: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/professional-development/teachers/understanding-learners/articles/neuro-linguistic-programming-elt (cited 17 April 2025).

[25] Meurers, D., 2012. Natural language processing and language learning. Encyclopedia of Applied Linguistics. 4193–4205.

[26] Anjomshoa, M.R., Esmailzadeh, M.R., Keshtidar, M., 2020. Effects of neuro-linguistic programming course on job stress, positive organizational behaviour and job motivation in physical education teachers. Pedagogy of Physical Culture and Sports. 24(3), 111–117.

[27] Yemm, G., 2006. Can NLP help or harm your business? Industrial and Commercial Training. 38(1), 12–17.

[28] Hosseinzadeh, E., Baradaran, A., 2015. Investigating the relationship between Iranian EFL teachers’ autonomy and Their Neuro-Linguistic Programming. English Language Teaching. 8(7), 68–75.

[29] Masouleh, N.S., Jooneghani, R.B., 2012. Autonomous Learning: A Teacher-Less Learning!. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences. 55, 835–842. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.09.570

[30] Alexopoulou, T., Michel, M., Murakami, A., et al., 2017. Task effects on linguistic complexity and accuracy: A large-scale learner corpus analysis employing natural language processing techniques. Language Learning. 67, 181–209.

[31] John, A., George, E., 2024. The impact of social media and electronic literature on literary studies, language learning and acculturation: A study conducted in south India. World Journal of English Language. 14(4), 546–555. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5430/wjel.v14n4p546

[32] Baradaran, A., Hosseinzadeh, E., 2015. Investigating the relationship between Iranian EFL teachers’ teaching styles and their autonomy. International Journal of Language Learning and Applied Linguistics World. 9(1), 34–48

[33] Shayesteh, M., Pishghadam, R., 2014. The role of NLP in language learning: A review of studies. International Journal of Applied Linguistics. 24(3), 379–393. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ijal.12034

[34] Pishghadam, R., Shayesteh, S., 2014. Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP) for language teachers: Revalidation of an NLP scale. Theory & Practice in Language Studies. 4(10), 2096-2104.

[35] Hawkins, J., Buttery, P., 2008. Using learner language from corpora to profile levels of proficiency: insights from the English Profile Programme. In: Taylor L, editor. Language testing matters: Investigating the wider social and educational impact of assessment. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 158–175.

[36] Richards, J.C., Rodgers, T.S., 2001. Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching. Cambridge University Press: New York, NY, USA.

[37] Bachman, L.F., Palmer, A.S., 1996. Language Testing in Practice: Designing and Developing Useful Language Tests. Oxford University Press: Oxford, UK.

[38] Dewaele, J.-M., Alfawzan, M., 2018. Does the effect of enjoyment outweigh that of anxiety in foreign language performance?. Studies in Second Language Learning and Teaching. 8(1), 21–45. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14746/ssllt.2018.8.1.2

[39] John, A., 2025b. Exploring the impact of artificial intelligence on language acquisition, linguistic development, and language use: A case study from India. Forum for Linguistic Studies. 7(3), 1104–1117. DOI: https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i3.8671

[40] Yang, Y., Zhu, Z., Chen, Q., 2022. Neurolinguistics in China. In: Ye, Z. (eds). The Palgrave Handbook of Chinese Language Studies. Springer: Singapore. pp. 1–48.

[41] Bagherkazemi, M., Zahed Shekarabi, S., 2023. Effect of the Neurolinguistic Approach on EFL Learners’ Implicit and Explicit Grammar Knowledge: The Present Perfect Tense in Focus. English Teaching & Learning. English Teaching & Learning. 47, 449–467.

[42] Seitova, S.M., Kozhasheva, G.O., Gavrilova, Y.N., et al., 2016. Peculiarities of Using Neuro-Linguistic Programming Techniques in Teaching. International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education. 11(5), 1135–1149.

[43] Rato, J.R., Abreu, A.M., Castro-Caldas, A., 2011. Achieving a successful relationship between neuroscience and education: The views of Portuguese teachers. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences. 29, 879–884. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2011.11.317

[44] Kotera, Y., Sweet, M., 2019. Comparative evaluation of Neuro-Linguistic Programming. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling. 47(6), 744–756. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2019.1622075

[45] John, A., Levshits, A.D., 2024. Enhancing language and linguistic proficiency through project-based learning: A study from South India. Forum for Linguistic Studies. 6(5), 326–335. DOI: https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v6i5.7141

[46] Monte-Serrat, D.M., 2022. Inclusion in linguistic education: Neurolinguistics, language, and subject. In Research anthology on applied linguistics and language practices. IGI Global Scientific Publishing. pp. 456–470.

[47] Drigas, A., Mitsea, E., Skianis, C., 2022. Neuro-linguistic programming, positive psychology & VR in special education. Scientific Electronic Archives. 15(1), 30–39.

[48] Zhang, S., Frey, B., Bansal, M., 2022. How can NLP help revitalize endangered languages? A case study and roadmap for the Cherokee language. [Preprint]. arXiv:2204.11909

Downloads

How to Cite

John, A., Selvaraj, V., Thennavan, S., S, K. K., Ponnudurai, R., G, S. S., & A, S. (2025). The Impact of Neuro-Linguistic Programming on Speaking Skills: An Intervention Study. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(4), 862–875. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i4.9274

Issue

Article Type

Article