Investigating Problems of Speaking Skill: A Case Study at Al-Baha University

The aim of the study is to explore the problems of speaking skill for students of preparatory year of Al-Baha University, Saudi Arabia. In order to answer the questions of the study, the researcher adopted the descriptive approach. The sample of the study consisted of (54) teachers of the university, most of them are MA and PhD holders. The questionnaire was prepared and refereed by specialized assistant professors then directed to teachers to answer (agree, strongly agree, neutral, disagree, and strongly disagree). The study indicated that there is a wide range of difficulties and problems facing those students. The demographics of the society around them is one of the most important obstacles. The gap between teaching speaking at secondary stage and university is one of the obstacles. Students of preparatory year are mostly shy while trying to speak. The study recommended reviewing the ways of assessing student’s speaking skill taking into granted the tribal nature of the students. The administration of the university should draw explicit goals at the local level of the university to help students develop the skill. The role of teacher is increasing constantly under these circumstances to help his students improve the skill as one of the most significant skills of English although they come from different cultural backgrounds. The study recommended further research to study the role of society structure in developing speaking skill.