Interference of spanish as mother tongue in EFL speaking skills

Abstract

Abstract:The main objective and purpose of this study case was to explore and contribute valid information based on detecting obstacles and specific interferences that Spanish as mother tongue can detonate in students who are learning English as a Foreign Language. Also, to find speaking skills aspects that specifically obstructs in intonation, fluency, pronunciation and word stress when questioning during the communication. Moreover, the sample was 96 participants with intermediate English level. The instrument applied to collect data was a rubric to evaluate audio-recordings from participants making original isolated questions and contextualized questions within a natural conversation. Furthermore, to carry out this investigation Mixed method was applied in order to describe qualitative aspects which generate language disruption and quantitative percentages to classify how often a specific factor interrupts when questioning. Having said that, major findings and conclusions are that eventually Spanish as mother tongue creates obstacles in some specific speaking factors in EFL students.