Obstacles Faced by Omani Grade Twelve ESL Learners in English Speaking Skills
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60072/ijeissah.2024.v2i02.007Abstract
The academic field of second language acquisition has studied the obstacles faced by Arabic ESL learners in developing their English-speaking abilities for many years. This study examines the challenges faced by Omani high school Arabic ESL learners in rural contexts. The country has been focusing on English teaching since 1970. Despite attempts, outcomes remain subpar, necessitating additional tutoring, while graduates face job market challenges due to private sector demand. A qualitative approach was employed to gather data from eight grade 12 students at public schools in Oman, primarily through offline surveys. Data analysis followed a thematic approach, revealing four main themes related to the first research question: English language accessibility issues, self-confidence deficits, mother tongue interference, and external motivation. The second research question identified three major themes: Social stigma, educational background, cultural sensitivity, and fear of negative evaluation. The third research question revealed four major themes: Teachers should receive training to integrate speaking with other skills, engage with native speakers or language learning groups, encourage errors, and value English communication as a sign of adaptability and open-mindedness. The research results concluding a lack of relatedness to the language and rare exposure to the language inside and outside the classroom resulted in incompetence in communication skills in formal settings, which affected their higher education opportunities and employability. To overcome these challenges, theoretical and practical implementations are given for developing instructional strategies that optimize the learners' L2 and enhance their communication skills.
Keywords:
ESL, English Speaking Strategies, Omani ESL Learners, English Speaking Challenges, ESL Learning in Oman, Pronunciation Difficulties, Second Language AcquisitionReferences
Al-Busaidi, F. Y. (2019). The Socio-Cultural Factors Influencing Learners of Arabic in the Sultanate of Oman. International Education Studies, 12(8), 72-82. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1223437
Al-Issa, A. S., & Al-Bulushi, A. H. (2012). English language teaching reform in Sultanate of Oman: The case of theory and practice disparity. Educational research for policy and practice, 11, 141-176.
Al Riyami, T. K. (2021). Omani graduates’ English communication skills: employers’ perspectives. Learning and Teaching in Higher Education: Gulf Perspectives, 17(2), 136-149. https://doi.org/10.1108/LTHE-01-2021-0007
Alrasheedi, S. (2020). Investigation of factors influencing speaking performance of Saudi EFL learners. Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Volume, 11.
Al Shaibani, A. (2023). Challenges in Teaching Pronunciation to Saudi Female Learners at Taif University. Arab World English Journal (March 2023) Theses ID, 292.
Berry, D. M. (2021). Level up Your Pronunciation: Impact of a Mobile Game. Mextesol Journal, 45(1), n1. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1289011
Bocar, A., & Ancheta, R. (2023). Communication Skills of Selected Omani College Students: Implications for Business Skills. Journal of Business, Communication & Technology, 2(1), 40-49. https://doi.org/10.56632/bct.2023.2104
Chiu, T. K., Sun, J. C. Y., & Ismailov, M. (2022). Investigating the relationship of technology learning support to digital literacy from the perspective of self-determination theory. Educational Psychology, 42(10), 1263-1282. https://doi.org/10.1080/01443410.2022.2074966
Hazrimah B. A.Harison M. S & Lubna A. M.(2013). An Analysis of Reading Instructional Approach at the Malaysian Lower Secondary School Level. Proceeding of Language and Education Conference (LEC): Prospect and Competitiveness in the Era of Globalization, 27 – 28 November 2013, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM)
Huwari, I. F. (2019). Problems faced by Jordanian undergraduate students in speaking English. International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change, 8(9), 203-217.
Jayampathy, A., Mohammed, L. A., & Anmary, S. A. (2023). The Challenges Confronted by the Asian English as Second Language Teachers on Implementation of E-Learning During Covid-19 Pandemic. International Journal of Emerging Issues in Social Science, Arts and Humanities (IJEISSAH), 1(2), 01-20. https://doi.org/10.60072/ijeissah.2023.v1i02.001
Jubier, M. M. (2019). ENGLISH CONSONANT PRONUNCIATION DIFFICULTIES OF ADULT EFL ARAB LEARNERS IN MALAYSIA. International Journal of Language Academy, 7(2). https://doi.org/10.18033/ijla.4073
Khasawneh, M. A. S. (2021). Language skills and their relationship to learning difficulties in English language from the students’ point of view. Science and Education, 2(9), 261-272.
Khouni, O., Gasim, A., Al Fahdi, S., & Al Naabi, I. (2022). Factors Causing Learners' Anxiety in FL Speaking: The Case of GFP Learners at UTAS, Nizwa, Oman. English Language Teaching, 15(10), 108-117.
Lantolf, J. P., Poehner, M. E., & Thorne, S. L. (2020). Sociocultural theory and L2 development. In Theories in second language acquisition (pp. 223-247). Routledge.
Minshar, M. A. (2020). The effect of using educational games on third-grade students’ achievement of English vocabulary in the Hebron governorate. Psychological and educational studies journal, 13(3), 309-319.
Poedjiastutie, D., Mayaputri, V., & Arifani, Y. (2021). Socio-cultural challenges of English teaching in remote areas of Indonesia. Teflin Journal, 32(1), 97-116. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15639/teflinjournal.v32i1/97-116
Seven, M. A. (2020). Motivation in Language Learning and Teaching. African Educational Research Journal, 8, 62-71.
Septianasari, L. (2019). Mother tongue issues and challenge in learning English as foreign language. IJIET (International Journal of Indonesian Education and Teaching), 3(2), 204-214. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24071/ijiet.v3i2.1941
Sornasekaran, H., Mohammed, L. A., & Amidi, A. (2020). Challenges associated with e-learning among ESL undergraduates in Malaysia: A conceptual framework. International Journal of Management and Human Science (IJMHS), 4(4), 30-38. https://ejournal.lucp.net/index.php/ijmhs/article/view/1239
Thakur, V. S. (2020). Phonological Problems of Omani EFL Learners: Pedagogical Perspectives and Implications. Arab World English Journal, 11(1), 29-43. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol11no1.3
Xu, L., & Song, X. (2023). Educational Leadership, Sustainable Housing Education and Construction Education: The Role of Traditional Dwellings and Construction Innovation. Educational Administration: Theory and Practice, 29(4). DOI: https://doi.org/10.52152/kuey.v29i4.609
