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

Abstract

Abstract: The present research: "Students' perceptions on the factors that influence their willingness to orally communicate in the EFL classroom in Ecuadorian high schools" has been developed in order to understand how motivation, proficiency level, and personality influence on students' willingness to orally communicate. Two public high schools from Quevedo were selected to undertake this study. The sample consisted of one hundred students from five classes, twenty from each. The pupils' ages were between twelve and eighteen years old. The qualitative and quantitative approaches were used for the analysis, and the data was gathered through questionnaires and observation sheets. The information was tabulated and represented in statistical graphs. After having described, analyzed and interpreted the results it was concluded that proficiency level has an impact on students' willingness to communicate orally in English; this fact prevents the learners in their intention to practice the new language and show valid reasons why the English teaching-learning process is not very successful in Ecuadorian high schools.