SPEAKING ANXIETY IN EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEECH AMONG UNDERGRADUATE ENGLISH LANGUAGE MAJOR STUDENTS IN PALESTINE

Abstract

Anxiety is an actual impediment to speaking in extemporaneous speech (ES). Still, there is insufficient empirical proof to support the main reasons for speaking anxiety in extemporaneous speech. The current study is trying to plug this gap by examining the factors that cause speaking anxiety when undergraduate EFL students at Al-Quds Open University involve in extemporaneous speech. In this descriptive case study,the researcher used the qualitative path and interview technique to collect and obtain the needed data. Accordingly, five students of a class of English language major students were chosen purposivelyto be interviewed to get an in-depth understanding of their perspectives of the main elements that participate in speaking anxiety in extemporaneous speech. The qualitative toolwas analyzed by utilizing the technique ofthematic analysis. The study findings indicated that lack of vocabulary, shyness, improper grammar and fear of committing mistakes are the main elements that participate in students speaking anxiety in extemporaneous speech among undergraduate students of Al-Quds Open University (QOU).