A qualitative exploration of oral communication apprehension among Libyan EFL learners

Abstract

Previous studies have identified Oral Communication Apprehension (OCA) or anxiety of communicating as a major issue which impedes an individual's willingness to communicate and his/her capacity to improve effective communication skills. While numerous studies have measured the OCA of learners, very few qualitative studies have investigated this phenomenon. The purpose of this study was to establish the effects of socio-cultural settings on OCA among EFL learners at the Alzytouna University. This research was conducted by interviewing first-year EFL students and their lecturers from the English Department of Alzytouna University in Libya. It was considered most appropriate to focus on first-year students as it is important to understand the origins of OCA at the starting point of higher education. The results of this study uncovered the root causes of OCA how it is manifested in students and its effect on their interactions with their colleagues and lecturers of both genders.