Abstract: Mention the abstract for the article. An abstract is a brief As English continues to serve as a global lingua franca, developing communicative competence, particularly, speaking skills, has become a priority in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) education. However, many Vietnamese secondary students, especially in non-formal learning environments, struggle with oral communication due to limited exposure to authentic language use and learner-centered instruction. This study investigates the effectiveness of role-playing activities in enhancing the English-speaking skills of secondary school students in a private English centre in northern Vietnam. Employing a two-cycle Classroom Action Research (CAR) design, the study involved 27 students aged 12 to 14, who participated in role play tasks over a twelve-week period. Data were collected through pre- and post-intervention speaking tests and semi-structured interviews with students and the class teacher.