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

Abstract

Abstract: The research titled Factors that influence high school students' English oral communication skills in Ecuadorian face-to-face learning environments occurred at a public high school in a rural area of Loja city. The purpose was to identify the linguistic and emotional elements that impact the development of the oral skills of high school students involved in face-to-face education. A mixed approach was employed in this study, involving a sample of forty senior high school students (22 women, and 18 men) and one teacher. Data was collected through surveys, observation sheets, and semi-structured interviews. The Likert-type questionnaires were divided into two sections: one comprising 12 items focused on linguistic factors and another with 14 items that addressed emotional factors. An observation sheet was also used to gather information during students classes. The results show a slightly greater impact of linguistic factors over emotional factors. Deficiencies in vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and L1 interference cause students to feel fear, nervousness, anxiety, and low confidence, which hinders the development of their oral proficiency.