International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue XII, December 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

 Overcoming Fear to Improve English Speaking Skill

Nafisa Sultana¹, Bedoura Jamin^2
1Assistant Professor, Department of English, Notre Dame University Bangladesh, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
²Independent Researcher, Department of English, Notre Dame University Bangladesh, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh

Abstract: Among four skills of English, speaking plays a vital role in achieving competence in the language. To speak effectively it is important first to acquire competence and then perform. Students face difficulties to speak in English in order to express their thoughts because of the psychological obstacle like fear. The objective of this research is to determine whether fear works as a barrier to improve English speaking skills. This research has been carried out using quantitative method. Forty respondents were selected using convenience sampling technique. Questionnaire was created using Google form to collect data. The data has been analyzed numerically and displayed in charts and tables. The findings reveal that fear acts as a barrier to improve English speaking because there is not enough opportunity to practice. Therefore, most of the students are afraid of giving speech or making presentation in front of the audience. They become nervous while speaking as they anticipate receiving negative criticisms. The fear of being laughed at or mocked by others are considered as the most significant barrier to improve speaking in English.

Keywords: Overcome, Fear, Barrier, Improve, Speaking skill

I. INTRODUCTION

English is the most widespread language of the world. It is spoken in USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Besides these English speaking countries, it is spoken throughout South Africa, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Burma, Malaysia, some African countries, China and Russia (Ahmed, 2018). According to an American lawyer and Judge Potter (2018) though English is now a widespread language, its future depends on the energy and enterprise of the people who speak it. Most countries use English as a ‘lingua franca’ (UNESCO, 1953 in Fuller & Wardhaugh, 2015) to communicate with the people of other languages. Having the knowledge of English is the most important skill to cope up in the global arena. Someone who speaks English fluently has more opportunities than others.