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

Abstract

Abstract: The present study titled Factors that influence high school students' English oral communication skills in Ecuadorian face-to-face learning environments, was carried out in a private institution in Cuenca city to determine the influence of linguistic and emotional factors on English as a foreign language (EFL) students oral communication skills. The participants were thirty first-year high school students and their EFL teacher. This study employed a mixed methodology that incorporated both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The instruments were students questionnaire, teacher s questionnaire, semi- structured interview, and observation sheet. It was found that the majority of students were affected by linguistic and emotional factors when attempting to communicate effectively. In this way, both factors significantly impact the performance of students' oral communication skills. However, grammar-related linguistic factors had the greatest impact on the students. It has been demonstrated that a lack of grammatical knowledge causes students to make vocabulary errors and use their native language. In addition, students are aware that they lack mastery of grammatical structures, which makes them hesitant to participate and use the language when confronted with questioning activities.