Hindering Factors and Problems Encountered by Grade 10 Students of Wenceslao Trinidad Memorial National High School in Speaking the Second Language: Basis for Enhanced English-Speaking Campaign

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The study intends to identify the factors hindering Grade 10 students from speaking English, and the problems encountered in using the language. Moreover, the researchers would like to present practical ways on how English teachers can enhance the English-speaking campaign in school.

METHODS

An adapted questionnaire was used to ask 100 Grade 10 students of Wenceslao Trinidad National High School about the factors hindering them from speaking English. The researchers employed simple random sampling.

RESULTS

This study proved that the top five hindering factors are: pressure to perform well, time for preparation and confidence, motivation to speak, time allowed to perform a speaking task, and anxiety. The study also revealed that the top five problems are: worried about making mistakes, shy, fearful of criticism, could not think of anything to say, and spoke very little if not at all.

DISCUSSIONS

The students viewed that the most influential factor that affect their speaking performance is the pressure to perform well (56%). They also thought that the following could affect their speaking performance: time for preparation and confidence (40%), motivation to speak (30%), time allowed to perform a speaking task (27%), anxiety (15%), listeners' support (14%) and topical knowledge (12%). The study revealed that 67% of the students are worried about making mistakes, 51% were shy, 22% are fearful of criticism or losing face, 14% could not think of anything to say, 13% speak very little if not at all and 11% have no motivation to express themselves.