Abstract:
In this study, an attempt was made on investigating factors that affect students’ speaking
performance during conversation in the EFL classroom with reference to grade 11 students
in Degollo Preparatory and General Secondary School, Jamma, South Wollo, Amhara
regional state. The main aim was to find out factors that affect students’ speaking
performance with both students related and teachers related factors during conversation in
EFL classroom. Assessment was made to identify what students do to overcome the
challenges in speaking class. The researcher employed mixed research design that is both
quantitative and qualitative research methods. Three data gathering techniques i.e.
questionnaire, observation and interview were used to collect data. Thirty eight students
were selected in simple random sampling technique for questionnaire, and ten of them were
selected purposively for the interview. On the other hand, two available grade-11 teachers
participated only in the interview. The quantitative data were analyzed in numerical and
percentage ways; however, the qualitative data were analyzed via thematic and narrative
ways of analysis. The analysis indicated that students’ related factors such as language
related factors and personal problems affected their speaking performance in the speaking
classroom. Besides, the teachers related factors such as educational background and the
inability to provide clear instruction were posed problems on students’ speaking performance
during conversation in spoken language classroom. Furthermore, some important ways of
overcoming the challenges were assessed in which like, creating relaxd environment, and
implementing role play in EFL classroom. Based on the findings, the researcher concluded
that students’ speaking performance can be affected by both students’ related factors and
teachers’ related factors during conversation in the speaking lesson. Finally, the researcher
recommended that EFL teachers should create relaxed classroom environment and students
must have practice in and outside of the classroom to enhance their speaking performance as
foreign language learners.
