Reflections on English Speaking Anxiety of Engineering Students: Pilot Project

Abstract

Human beings scream for effective communication skills in this modern age of space technology. The 21st-century demands the engineering universities to address the speaking skill deficiencies of engineering students. This research discovers factors responsible for English speaking anxiety of engineering students. A qualitative research design was implemented and semi-structured interviews were piloted. A purposive sampling approach was employed.Outcomes revealed engineering students faced hesitation, poor confidence, poor mental approach,poor English, unknown fears, poor vocabulary, dearth of speaking opportunities, fear of criticism,nervousness, stress, lack of motivation, poor communication skill, poor language, and low self-esteem as English-speaking anxiety factors of engineering students. Additionally, they used deep breathing, giving space for thinking and code switch in gas strategies to overcome English-speaking anxiety.