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

Abstract

Abstract: The present study is aimed at investigating the factors that influence high school students English oral communication skills in Ecuadorian face-to-face learning environments. For this purpose, thirty-nine students from a private co-educational high school in Ambato, Ecuador, participated. The sample included 20 first-year senior high school and 19 second-year senior high school learners. A mixed-method approach was used in this study, which involved the analysis of qualitative and quantitative data. Therefore, the quantitative method was used to analyze and describe the data collected from the students questionnaire. Additionally, the information was examined qualitatively by comparing it with the findings of the observations, interviews, and literature review. Thus, the study findings revealed that most learners find it difficult to have proper English pronunciation, which is often due to pronunciation discrepancies between their mother tongue and their target language. On the other hand, it was found that pupils are worried about using grammar correctly when speaking and feel blocked, so there is a lack of things to say when speaking English.