Navigating Oral Presentation Obstacles in ESL Classroom: Insights from Students and Teachers

Abstract

The main aim of this study is to investigate the challenges ESL learners face during oral presentations and their reasons within the context of Pakistan. Using a mixed method approach and explanatory sequential design, the researcher collected the data by conducting questionnaire among 150 ESL learners and interviews among 15 ESL teachers. The study found content choice, building arguments, speaking fluency, scopophobia, reasoning, self-regulation, instructors’ evaluation and interruption, audience involvement, voice modulation, use of appropriate body language, lack of vocabulary and use of rhetorical techniques as the challenges mostly ESL learners faced during oral presentations within the premises of classroom. Moreover, the results of study also demonstrated lack of oral skills, confidence and shyness as the major causes of the challenges faced by them. Further, some suggestions were mentioned by the teachers for improvement of their oral presentation skills such as reading books and practicing oracy more and more.