Analyzing communication barriers in expressing opinions in English education program at Universitas Negeri Padang
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24036/jelt.v15i1.5Keywords:
Communication Barriers, Expressing Opinions, English Language Education, Speaking Anxiety, EFL Students.Abstract
Communication is essential skilss for English Education students as future teachers, yet many struggle to express opinions confidently, often remaining silent or code-switching. This descriptive qualitative study aimed to analyze communication barriers and their underlying factors from students’ perspectives. Participants included four students (two male, two female) from UNP, cohorts 2022 to 2025, selected based on lecturers' recommendations regarding their low participation and anxiety levels. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews covering linguistic, psychological, sociocultural, environmental, and interpersonal aspects. The findings revealed that communication barriers are complex and interconnected. Linguistic barriers involved limited vocabulary and grammar concerns. Psychologically, speaking anxiety, fear of mistakes, and low self-confidence emerged as the most dominant factors. Sociocultural barriers stemmed from indirect Indonesian communication styles conflicting with academic English expectations. Furthermore, environmental factors like peer dominance and interpersonal barriers, such as fear of judgment, significantly hindered participation. In conclusion, these barriers are influenced by both internal and external factors. This study suggests that creating a psychologically safe and supportive learning environment is essential to fostering students' confidence and active engagement in English classroom communication.
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