Factors affecting EFL student's oral communication skills

Abstract

Abstract:Oral communication has become one of the most important skills in learning English as a foreign language. Unfortunately, speaking seems to be the most difficult among all language skills. The purpose of this study was to identify thefactors that affect student's proficiency in English oral communication. The research was carried out in a public educational institution in the city of Ibarra, province of Imbabura.The participants of this study were seniorhigh school students and five teachers of English as a foreign language.The data were collected through observations, surveys and interviews.Amix-method approach of quantitative and qualitative methods was used. Qualitative research was used for the narrative data in all of the process; and quantitative research for collecting, explaining, and interpretingnumerical data. The results showed that the factors affecting students' oral communication skills are:pedagogical factors and individual factors. Regarding pedagogical factors, the methods, teaching strategies and resources used in class do not promote English oral communication .In regard to student s factors, lack of motivation, anxiety, and linguistics problems, hinder their oral communication skills.