Investigation of Factors Influencing Speaking Performance of Saudi EFL Learners

Autor/in	Alrasheedi, Saleh
Titel	Investigation of Factors Influencing Speaking Performance of Saudi EFL Learners
Quelle	In: Arab World English Journal, 11 (2020) 4, S.66-77 (12 Seiten) PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Alrasheedi, Saleh)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	2229-9327
Schlagwörter	Foreign Countries; English (Second Language); Second Language Learning; Second Language Instruction; Psychological Patterns; Learning Strategies; Language Skills; Barriers; Speech Communication; Speech Skills; College Students; Shyness; Anxiety; Peer Influence; Vocabulary; Experience; Student Motivation; Familiarity; Self Esteem; Teaching Methods; Saudi Arabia + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Ausland; English as second language; English; Second Language; Englisch als Zweitsprache; Zweitsprachenerwerb; Fremdsprachenunterricht; Learning methode; Learning techniques; Lernmethode; Lernstrategie; Language skill; Sprachkompetenz; Mündliche Leistung; Sprachfertigkeit; Collegestudent; Schüchternheit; Angst; Wortschatz; Erfahrung; Schulische Motivation; Self-esteem; Selbstaufmerksamkeit; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode; Saudi-Arabien
Abstract	Equal focus needs be placed on teaching all four basic skills of language learning: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. However, it is observed that due attention is not devoted to developing speaking skills in Saudi EFL learners; this task is especially challenging as English is not widely used or spoken in their day-to-day communication. The current study aims to investigate the psychological factors which affect learners' speaking performance by: (1) examining the strategies learners use for developing speaking skills; (2) identifying obstacles confronted by learners in developing speaking skills; and (3) suggesting ways to facilitate the acquisition of English speaking skills. The research seeks answers to these questions: (1) What are some psychological factors affecting speaking skills of students?; and (2) Why do learners find speaking in English so difficult? I distributed a questionnaire among 200 female and male participants majoring in various fields at Majmaah university in Saudi Arabia. I employed SPSS to analyze the accumulated data and displayed the results in descriptive tables. The results reveal that affective factors impacting students' performance in speaking skills are shyness, peer pressure, anxiety, and fear of making mistakes. Other factors that hinder speaking performance are paucity of necessary vocabulary, lack of exposure to the target language, and scarce opportunities to practice speaking outside the classroom. The study contributes to the existing English language learning (ELL) literature through its focus on the affective factors impacting speaking performance in Arabic-speaking EFL learners. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Arab World English Journal. 10602 Davlee Lane, Richmond, Texas, 77407. e-mail: editor@awej.org; e-mail: info@ASELS.org; Web site: https://awej.org/
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01