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

Abstract

Abstract: This research studies the factors involved in the development of oral language skills of high school students. This research aimed to determine the linguistic and emotional factors that influence the oral communication skills in English of high school students in face-to-face situations in their learning environments. A mixed-method approach with qualitative and quantitative data was used to achieve this goal. The instruments for data collection were teacher and students surveys and an observation sheet. This study counted a total sample of 40 EFL students and an English teacher from a public institution. The findings demonstrate that the students present difficulties in pronunciation and fear when speaking in front of the class. It was also found that linguistic factors such as pronunciation and emotional factors, including fear, influence the oral communication skills in English of high school students in face-to-face learning environments.