Perspectives of EFL Students’ Difficulties in Speaking: A Descriptive Study

Abstract

This study aimed to describe EFL students' difficulties in speaking skills in a private high school in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The sample involved 54 tenth-graders with a range from B1 to B2 English level, who answered a Likert type scale applied as an instrument to know students' current academic situation and their perspectives about advantages and disadvantages of second language learning. Students answered the questions sent via email and WhatsApp groups. Then the data collected were checked and analyzed in an excel worksheet and finally processed in a specific statistic program where results were found. Outcomes in the study showed means and frequency related to speaking difficulties, which displayed that students could improve their language. Students also answered questions about using activities applied in the classroom, where findings showed that learners worked consciously about pair activities and speaking language development. Finally, their perspectives were determinant to know their fears and concerns about their language acquisition and development. Since findings are significant for EFL teachers, researchers, and students who can find this study valuable and beneficial for subsequent investigations to probably adapt it in curriculum and teaching practices of the English language. Keywords: SPEAKING SKILLS, EFL, DESCRIPTIVE STUDY, DIFFICULTIES, PERSPECTIVES