Factors affecting student's english communication skills

Abstract

Abstract:The present study is aimed at investigating pedagogical factors and students factors that affect their speaking in EFL classrooms. The sample for this study was thirty-sixstudents of first courseand fiveEFL teachers of threepublicsecondary schoolslocated in the city of Loja, Ecuador. The study was based on quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data were collectedfrom three instruments, the first one was aquestionnaireappliedto the studentsand teachers. Furthermore, five English classes were observed witheach teacher.An interview was applied to the teachers to support the findings from the other instruments.Then the information wastabulated and analyzed in order toaccomplish the specific objectivesof this study. The resultsrevealedthat teachers still focus their classes in grammar rules rather than oral communication. Besides, it is determined that anxiety at the moment to speak English in front of their partnersis a significant factorthat hinders students'oralcommunication skills.