EFL College Students’ Perceptions of the Difficulties in Oral Presentation as a Form of Assessment

Abstract

Oral presentation skills are considered one of the most important proficiencies needed for higher education and future careers. Thus, the present study is interested in eliciting English as a Foreign Language (EFL) college students’ perceptions of the difficulties they face in oral presentation as a form of assessment. Participants were 500 female EFL college students from different grade levels enrolled in a four-year pre-service teacher education program at the College of Basic Education (CBE) in Kuwait City, Kuwait. A five-point Likert Scale questionnaire was used and divided into three main sections: personal traits, oral presentation skills, and instructor and audience. Independent variables measured were students’ ages, year at college, Grade Point Average (GPA), and nationality. In addition, a structured interview to solicit instructors’ opinions was carried out. Results showed students’ perceptions of the difficulties they experienced at a medium level (M=3.10). However, significant differences in the results were found when students’ nationalities and GPAs were taken into account.