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

Abstract

Abstract: The theme is Factors that influence high school students' English oral communication skills in Ecuadorian face-to-face learning environments , aimed to determine which linguistic and emotional issues affect the oral communication skills of high school learners in face-to-face educational settings.This investigation was conducted at a fiscomisional high school in the province of Chimborazo. The participants were 42 male and female sênior high school students. A mixed-methods approach, which included both quantitative and qualitative componentes, was used. The sample for this study comprised forty senior high school students and two EFL teachers. The instruments used were a students' questionnaire, a teachers questionnaire, a semi-structured interview, and an observation sheet. The findings revealed that both linguistic and emotional factors significantly influence students' oral communication skills. In addition, mother tongue interference was the most influential linguistic factor, and a lack of self-confidence was the emotional factor that most influenced students when speaking in English. Moreover, when comparing the results of the linguistic and emotional factors, it was found that the emotional factors had the greatest impact on oral communication skills.