An investigation on the contributing Factors' reticence in EFL speaking classes the case of third license students at the University of Mohammed Saddik Ben Yahia/Jijel

Abstract

Given the international status of the English language, it becomes a little more than a requirement for English foreign language learners (EFL) to hone their communicative skills. Remarkably, EFL learners are faced with a host of problems in learning the target language, especially with regard to the speaking skill. The current research work aims to investigate the contributing factors to third year students’ reticence in Speaking classes. It is based on the hypothesis that third year students experience significant difficulties in investing oral production in Speaking classes. To this end, the data were collated by dint of questionnaire, focus group discussions, and semi-structured interview. The questionnaire was administered to 55 third year License students of English at the University of Mohammed Seddik Ben Yahia, Jijel. Likewise, focus group discussions were conducted with 12 third year students from the sample that answered the questionnaire. The semistructured interview, on the other hand, was conducted with 3 teachers of Speaking classes. The analysis of the research findings consistently evidenced that third year License students experience reticence in Speaking classes, i.e. the hypothesis has been supported. Notably, anxiety, shyness, lack of self-confidence, lack of vocabulary items, class size, and timing of the session are singled out as important reticence-engendering factors in Speaking classes