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

Abstract

Abstract: The purpose of the research was to determine how linguistic and emotional factors They influence the oral competence of students in the face-to-face modality. The The research was carried out in a public educational institution in the city of Yacuambi, province of Zamora Chinchipe, using a mixed methodological approach that compiled both quantitative and qualitative information. The sample was made up of nineteen first-year high school students, twenty-one second-year students and an English teacher who played the role of instructor in both courses. The instruments that were used for data collection were a questionnaire for students, one for the teacher, a semi-structured interview, and an observation sheet. The results showed that EFL learners faced both linguistic and emotional difficulties in their oral performance. However, linguistic factors were the most prominent. Regard Regarding linguistic factors, pronunciation was the most notable aspect; and as for the emotional, was the fear of using the language in non-academic environments.