Factors Influencing Speaking and Listening Skills of ESL Learners at University Level in Sindh

Abstract

The purpose of the present research was to investigate the factors impacting the speaking and listening of ESL learners at the university level in Sindh, Pakistan. The study utilized both qualitative and quantitative research methods, targeting ESL learners from twenty universities across various districts in Sindh, including Larkana, Khairpur, Jamshoro, and Karachi. Through the survey technique, the researchers distributed an online questionnaire with seven closed-ended and two open-ended questions to 360 research participants of both genders via Email and WhatsApp for data collection. The data was then analyzed using frequency and thematic approaches and presented in tables and respectively appendices A, B, and C, which cover demography, quantitative questions, and qualitative results. The results indicate that vocabulary, class environment, cultural influence, motivation and confidence, and cognitive processing are significant factors influencing speaking and listening skills of ESL learners. Additionally, the research proposes practical and dynamic solutions to address the challenges affecting the speaking and listening skills of ESL learners which are valuable for decision-makers in the academic sector, individuals, teachers, and other stakeholders.