Exploring the Influence Of Experience and Personal Factors On EFL Learners’ Speaking Confidence

This study explored how learning experiences and personal factors shape EFL learners’ speaking confidence among students of the English Education Department at UIN Ar-Raniry Banda Aceh. This study employed a qualitative multiple case study design using semi-structured interviews with ten participants selected through purposive sampling. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that learners’ speaking confidence was shaped by the interaction between learning experiences and personal factors. Learning experiences, including classroom interaction, speaking practice, teacher feedback, peer support, and exposure to English through various media, contributed to the development of learners’ speaking confidence. In addition, personal factors, including self-efficacy, anxiety, fear of making mistakes, emotional regulation, self-perception, resilience, and emotional intelligence, influenced how learners perceived and responded to speaking situations. Overall, the findings suggest that speaking confidence develops through the dynamic interaction between learners’ learning experiences and personal factors. The findings provide insights for lecturers in creating supportive learning environments that foster students’ confidence in speaking English.