Factors affecting students english communication skills

Abstract

Abstract:This study focuses on the factors affecting students English communication skills and it aims at identifying the factors that affect public high school students proficiency in English oral communication. The participants of the study were 40 EFL students at a public high school in Quito, Ecuador, and 5 English teachers. The method used was mixed, comprising quantitative and qualitative approaches. To collect the data, two different instruments were used: a survey and an interview. The survey was administered to students for finding find out the individual factors; for teachers, a survey and an interview were applied to gather the data in relation to the pedagogical factors. In addition, 5 classes were observed in order to obtain specific data in relation to the pedagogical and individual factors. The results of this study indicate that motivation is the principal individual factor that affects students’ speaking in class. Students motivation is influenced by pedagogical factors such as methods, techniques, activities, materials, and resources that the English teachers use in EFL classrooms as well as by their personal goals related to the language.