The Effect of Self-Esteem on Speaking Ability of Iranian Female TEFL Students

This study examines the influence of self-esteem on speaking skills among Iranian female TEFL students. The research involved distributing questionnaires and conducting spontaneous speaking tests, which were rated by evaluators. Participants' self-esteem levels were measured using the Cooper Smith Self-Esteem Inventory. Results showed a significant positive correlation: students with higher self-esteem spoke more fluently and confidently, while those with lower self-esteem hesitated or avoided speaking. The findings highlight that self-esteem plays a vital role in language proficiency, especially in speaking skills. Promoting higher self-esteem could enhance communication abilities among TEFL learners. The study suggests that fostering self-esteem can significantly improve language learning outcomes. Due to the small sample size, the authors recommend conducting further research with larger and more diverse populations to validate these findings on a broader scale. Overall, boosting self-esteem appears to be a key factor in improving speaking proficiency and overall language development among female TEFL students. Future studies could explore this relationship in different contexts and larger groups for more comprehensive insights.

کلیدواژه ها:

Self-Esteem ، Speaking Ability ، Iranian Female Students ، Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)