The difficulties and solutions faced by TEFL students in learning English Speaking skill at Zand Institute of Higher Education in Shiraz

In today's globalized world where English serves as a primary medium of international communication, developing strong speaking skills is essential for English language learners. This study examines the challenges encountered by TEFL students at Zand Institute of Higher Education in Shiraz in acquiring English speaking proficiency. Employing a qualitative research design, the study conducted semi-structured interviews with ten seventh-semester students, exploring five critical dimensions: speaking difficulties, potential solutions, motivational factors, practice opportunities, and the efficacy of classroom activities. The findings highlight significant barriers including limited vocabulary, speaking anxiety, lack of confidence, pronunciation difficulties, and insufficient speaking practice. The analysis demonstrates that these challenges arise from both internal factors (such as fear of making mistakes and motivation issues) and external factors (including teaching approaches and classroom environment). To address these issues, the study proposes: creating supportive learning environments, incorporating interactive speaking exercises like role-plays and group discussions, and allocating more instructional time to speaking practice. Furthermore, implementing constructive feedback mechanisms, utilizing educational technology, and maintaining an appropriate balance between grammar instruction and speaking practice are recommended to enhance learners' oral communication skills and self-assurance.

کلیدواژه ها:

learning English ، self-confidence ، speaking proficiency ، speaking skill