FACTORS AFFECTING ENGLISH SPEAKING PERFORMANCE AND LEARNING STRATEGIES: PERSPECTIVES FROM ENGLISH-MAJOR STUDENTS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18173/2354-1075.2026-%25xKeywords:
English speaking performance; learning strategies; linguistic, psychological, environmental factors.Abstract
This study analyzes the perceived factors influencing English-major students’ English speaking performance and the strategies they adopted to overcome the challenges and improve their speaking skills. Designed as an explanatory sequential mixed-methods study, this research consisted of two phases. The quantitative phase involved 229 students from a private university, and the follow-up qualitative phase consisted of 10 semi-structured interviews with students from different academic years. Descriptive analysis indicated that students reported difficulties across linguistic, psychological, and environmental dimensions, with several linguistic factors emerging prominently in relation to their speaking performance. To address these difficulties, students reported different strategies related to language learning, emotional management, and speaking practice such as engaging in autonomous practice with digital tools, managing anxiety, and seeking opportunities to practice English. These findings contribute to a better understanding of how learners perceive speaking difficulties and how they respond to them in their learning context.
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