Learning Factors Causing Silence in English Language (L2) Classrooms at the Graduate Level

Abstract

The English language has been enjoying the status of an official, language of formal documentation and medium of teaching and learning in academic settings. The main object of the study was to find the factors to cause students' silence in English language (L2) classrooms at one of the Government Universities (CS 2nd year). Applying the qualitative real ethnographic research design; with effective classroom observations (using the observation sheet adopted from Jim King) and semi-structured interviews. The study analyzed that there are some notable learning factors, (such as anxiety, fear, lack of confidence, lack of L2 knowledge and L1 interference) that impact the student's participation in the L2 classroom resulting in silence. Such issues directly affect students' speaking proficiency, and confidence to talk and participate in activities in L2 classroom. The study will be helpful for teachers, curriculum designers and policymakers to overcome the factors causing silence.