Psychological Factors Affecting Sudanese EFL Learners’ Oral Performance

Abstract

The present study attempts to investigate the psychological factors affectingSudanese students'speaking ability and to draw the attention of the teachers, students and educationists toward the importance of speaking as one of the important language skills.The aim of this study is to come out with constructive recommendations for students, teachers and educationists in order to improve the processes of teaching and learning speaking English. In addition, it attempts to specify the psychological factors affecting speaking English. The sample for the study was (100) students from third and fourth year of Sudan University of Science and Technology-College of Languages-English Department.The instrument of this study was a questionnaire for the students. A questionnaire of (16) statements was distributed during formal lectures. Data was statistically analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences(SPSS) program.The findings of the study indicate that the lack of self-confidence, aptitude and anxiety are the mostaffecting factors of speaking. In addition, the study points out that these psychological factors can have more impact on speaking than any other language skills. It also suggests that the teacher who wishes to improve his students'speaking skillshave to consider these psychological factors toward the learning process. Finally, the study points out that self-confidence and aptitude are the most influential psychological factors that hinder Sudanese university students when speaking English.