Oral Participation in the EFL Classroom - A study about teachers' perceptions of the reasons for pupils' reluctance to participate orally in the EFL classroom

Abstract

This study examines English teachers' perceptions of the reasons for pupils' reluctance to participate orally in the EFL classroom. English is a global language which is used in substantial parts of the world. Therefore, it is important to understand how teachers facilitate oral participation in the classroom. Three qualitative interviews with Norwegian lower-secondary school English teachers provided the data for this study. The results indicated that fear of negative evaluation, pressure to perform, and immaturity were contributing factors to students' reluctance to participate orally. The study also highlighted the importance of a positive and supportive classroom environment for fostering oral participation. The teachers emphasized providing positive and constructive feedback to boost confidence and motivation. According to the teachers interviewed, choice of topic and group work had a significant impact to whether a student was active or not.