Investigating speaking difficulties faced by grade 9 efl students at “Complexo Escolar Privado Owil-Lubango”

Abstract

The purpose of this research study is to investigate the speaking problems faced by grade 9 EFL students at Complexo Escolar Privado Owil. Through my experience as an EFL teacher I have noticed that students seem to face many difficulties in developing their speaking skills when learning English as a foreign language (EFL). It is argued that such problems result from their mother tongue interference, lack of motivation and lack of vocabulary. As a result, students tend not to participate in speaking lessons as they feel inhibited and worried about making mistakes, aligned with poor classroom interaction. It was used a quantitative approach. The research instruments used for data collection were teachers and students’ questionnaires. The main finding reveals that EFL students go through various problems when learning to speak English, which of them can be highlighted mother tongue interference, lack of motivation, lack of vocabulary, low participation, inhibition/fear of making mistakes, lack of topical knowledge and, lack of listening ability. Additionally, EFL teachers at “Complexo Escolar Privado Owil” are recommended to continue to help their students by creating a friendly, helpful, and cooperative atmosphere in speaking lessons so that students can be encouraged to generate and voice their ideas comfortably and confidently.