Exploring speaking competence among ESL undergraduates: Challenges and strategies in a public university in Pakistan

Speaking competence is a critical aspect of English language proficiency, particularly in multilingual societies such as Pakistan, where oral communication skills are essential for academic and professional advancement. Despite its importance, most research in Pakistan has primarily focused on written skills, resulting in a significant gap in understanding the challenges and strategies involved in developing speaking competence. This qualitative study investigates the obstacles and approaches related to enhancing speaking competence among ESL undergraduates at a public university in Pakistan. Using purposive sampling, data were collected through sixteen classroom observations and in-depth, semi-structured interviews with two ESL instructors and twelve final-year undergraduate students. Thematic analysis, guided by Braun and Clarke's (2006) framework, was employed to manually code the data and generate key themes. Findings reveal key factors influencing speaking competence, including grammar mastery, pronunciation accuracy, fluency, and learner confidence. Major challenges identified include speaking anxiety, insufficient communicative practice, limited exposure to authentic English interactions, and teacher-centred classroom dynamics. In contrast, strategies such as task-based learning, constructive feedback, peer collaboration, and the use of digital support tools were found to be effective in enhancing oral proficiency. The study underscores the practical impo1iance of developing speaking competence in relation to graduates' employability, academic success, and participation in global communication. The study emphasizes the need for curiculum reform, teacher training, and the integration of the Speaking Competence Development Framework (SCDF) to systematically enhance ESL learners' oral communication skills. These findings provide valuable insights for educators, curriculum developers, and policymakers seeking to bridge the gap between English language instruction and actual speaking performance in Pakistan