Factors that influence high school students' English oral communication skills in Ecuadorian face-to-face learning

Abstract

Abstract: In Ecuador, learners show a low English proficiency level since several years ago. In order to identify both linguistic and emotional factors that affect learners English skills especially their oral communication skills, a research study using the mixed method which includes both quantitative and qualitative approaches was applied. The participants included 40 students at a high school in Coca, Ecuador and their teacher. Throughout the study, questionnaires for the teacher and the students, observation sheets, and semi structured interviews to collect as much useful information as possible in order to answer the three target questions were used. The results found on this study show that both linguistic and emotional factors have a noticeable effect on learners performance when speaking. The main linguistic factors affecting learners speaking skills are mispronunciation, lack of fluency and accuracy and a low proficiency in vocabulary and grammar. Regarding emotional factors, willingness, anxiety, fear, lack of confidence and lack of motivation have a major impact on learners oral communication skills.