Teaching Resources > KET > Speaking > Factors affecting learners' speaking ability

Developing Speaking Skills

Integrating Speaking

Factors affecting learners' speaking ability

A language learner's ability to speak in the target language is dependent on a number of factors which are not solely related to their knowledge of the language systems (grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation). Personality factors such as timidity or self-confidence play an important part, as do attitudinal factors such as perception of importance of speaking or dislike of making mistakes. While these aren't assessed in the Speaking test, they can affect students' progress and improvement in developing their speaking skills, and so it is important for teachers to be aware of them and possibly address them in class.

• Give your students the questions in the activity 'How do you feel about speaking English?' to discuss in class (in the first language, if you prefer). There are no right or wrong answers, but you may help your students to be more aware of their difficulties in these areas.
  
  
• Give your students roles to play during speaking activities, such as 'You are very confident and don't care about making mistakes' to someone who is very aware of being correct. They could even pretend to be another student whose speaking ability they admire.