Factors Which Influence Oral Participation of Foreign Language Students and the Level of Perceived Effect (Students’ and Teachers’ Perceptions)

Abstract

Not all students take part equally in oral classroom activities. While some students take more turns, some of them often avoid participating. It is accepted that participation is influenced by contextual factors. The level of the perceived influence of such contextual factors may vary from person to person and from teachers to students. This study aimed to identify the factors influencing student participation in oral activities in foreign language classes with their level of influence. The study was carried out with a total number of 186 tertiary level students learning English and 36 teachers who were teaching at the same school and at the same level. Some variables included in the study were perceived to be external from either students’ or teachers’ point of view, while the rest were perceived to be more internal. Also, the level of influence students and teachers put on the variables shows the level of importance of each variable for the students and teachers in identifying students’ participatory behavior. Significant differences between their perceptions of student participation also indicate different agenda. Identifying students’ perceptions and being aware of such differences may help to develop more interactive environments in foreign language classes.