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

Abstract

Abstract: The theme of this study was "Factors that influence high school students' English oral communication skills in Ecuadorian face-to-face learning environments." The purpose of this research was to determine the linguistic and emotional factors that influence the oral communication skills in English of high school students in face-to-face learning environments. The research was carried out in a fiscomisional high school in the city of Quito with 40 second-year high school students, who were between 16 - 17 years old. This study used a mixed-method with qualitative and quantitative approach. The qualitative method was used to compare and contrast the information provided by the semi-structured interview and observation while the quantitative method was used to quantify and analyze the data. In addition, it uses as instruments teacher s and students survey which focus on the linguistic and emotional factors, a teachers interview and an observation sheet. It was concluded that emotional factors cause more problems for students when speaking the language, who present levels of anxiety, nervousness and stuttering.