Investigating the Factors Affecting Students' Speaking Performance in Classroom Setting

Abstract

This study, aimed at investigating the factors affecting students' speaking performance in classroom setting. The researcher has adopted the descriptive analytical method. Two instruments have been used as primary tools for collecting data relevant to the study, a questionnaire to teachers of English at some Sudanese Universities and observation checklist to first year students of English at SUST-College of Education. The study samples of study comprises (104) teachers for questionnaire and (24) for observation checklist. The researcher applies SPSS program to analyze and verify the hypotheses. The results have shown EFL teachers do not encourage their students to perform speaking activities in pair work. Moreover, EFL teachers do not give students class work to practice speaking performance. Students lack self-confidence to speak in English. The study has recommended that Classroom environment should be conducive to develop students speaking performance. On the other hand, teachers should give students ample time to perform a speaking task. Some suggestions are also proposed for further studies.