The Guayaquil Context: Challenges in EFL Speaking Skills Development at Santa Ana High School

The ability to speak in a foreign language is perhaps the most difficult to develop since it demands constant practice and real-time interaction in the target language. In Ecuadorian high schools, EFL students, even those with strong comprehension skills, struggle to express themselves effectively in spoken English. Both linguistic and psychological factors influence their ability to communicate. This research explores the challenges EFL learners face in developing their speaking skills at a Catholic private school in Guayaquil. Students registered in the First Year of High School take part in the investigation. Employing a mixed-method approach, following the explanatory sequential design, the research first collects quantitative data through student surveys, followed by qualitative data insight from teacher interviews. The results allow for a better comprehension of the anxiety and avoidance behaviors students have when speaking English.