Students perceptions on the factors that influence their willingness to orally communicate in the EFL classroom in Ecuadorian high schools

Abstract

This study called “Students’ perceptions on the factors that influence their willingness to orally communicate in the EFL classroom in Ecuadorian high schools” analyzes and determines what factors affect students’ oral production from their point of view. This investigation was carried out in a private high school in Guayaquil, where students had heterogeneous English levels. The sample consisted in five classes of twenty students. Three classes were in 3rd senior year and the two other classes were in 2nd senior year. The qualitative method was used to investigate the factors that affect students’ willingness to orally communicate from their perspective. A survey containing seven questions was applied to the students. After this, one hour of observation per class was made in order to retrieve actual information about what happens with oral communication inside the classroom. Finally, the survey results were tabulated and then compared to the observations made. After a thorough analysis, it was concluded that first of all motivation, then student’s proficiency level and finally personality are factors that influence students’ willingness to orally communicate.