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

Abstract

Abstract: Low level of oral communication skills in English is a problem faced many Ecuadorian students, which limits their access to better study opportunities and employment. For this reason, the present investigation aims to determine the emotional and linguistic factors that influence the oral communication skills of students of English as a foreign language. This study was carried out in a school public in Ambato, Ecuador, and involved 40 first-year high school students and their English teachers. The competency levels of the participants ranged from A2 to B1. This research employed a mixed methods approach, combining data quantitative questionnaires from students and teachers with qualitative knowledge of interviews and classroom observations. According to the findings, participants face several linguistic challenges such as difficulties with advanced vocabulary and accuracy, fluency, and pronunciation. Additionally, students show hesitation or lack of confidence when it comes to speaking English spontaneously and overcoming language interference native.