Investigating the Problems in Speaking English as a Second Language: A Study of Sindh University Undergraduate Students

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the problems in speaking English as a second language in the
Institute of English language and literature at the University of Sindh Jamshoro. The research paradigm
was qualitative, and the tool for this study was an open-ended questionnaire that was distributed among
the 40 students of IELL, including both male and female students who participated in this work and had
their previous education from both private and public academic sectors. The results revealed the problems
occurred to the students while speaking. This research explains the problems faced by the students of
IELL by dividing them into three categories. The first category is linguistic problems, including
vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar. The second category is psychological and external problems,
including low motivation, anxiety, negative attitude towards the target language, and no environment for
second language English. The last category is teaching methods and materials problems, including
untrained teachers, traditional teaching methods, and syllabus problems. These problems are common in
the ESL context due to the faulty education system. The last part of the study recommends some steps to
be taken by the students, schools, and future researchers regarding speaking skills improvements.