Investigating Psychological Barriers to Speaking Fluency The Case of First-Year LMD Students at Mohamed Seddik Ben Yahia University"

Abstract

Algerian students when they communicate in English as a foreign language ,their speaking fluency is affected by psychological factors such as anxiety, fear of making mistakes, and shyness. This study aims at investigating the psychological barriers that hinder students of English from improving their speaking fluency. To fulfill this aim, the study was based on a mixed method of data collection tools. A questionnaire was administered to 60 first-year license students at the Department of English at Mohammed Seddik Ben Yahia University-Jijel, aiming at exploring their psychological barriers. Additionally, a classroom observation was conducted with 20 participants in the same department for the sake of identifying the effects of psychological barriers on their speaking fluency. The results indicated that a considerable number of learners have psychological hindrances that impede them from speaking fluently; mainly, shyness, anxiety, lack of confidence, and lack of motivation to speak. Based on the obtained results, some pedagogical recommendations were proposed to enhance students’ speaking fluency