Analyzing the Factors Associated with Perceived English Oral Communication Skills among Undergraduates: A Case Study

This case study explore the factors influence the English oral communication skills of undergraduates of the Faculty of Science at the University of Colombo. 332 undergraduate participants were surveyed using stratified sampling based on their academic year and subject stream. 332 undergraduate participants were surveyed using stratified sampling based on their academic year and subject stream. The assessment of their oral communication skills encompassed four critical aspects: presenting ideas verbally, listening skills, providing feedback, and presentation abilities. Employing exploratory data analysis (EDA) and advanced statistical models including multivariate ridge, lasso, elastic net regression, and partial least square regression, the study uncovers the most significant factors influencing English oral communication skills were the results of English language-related exams taken during secondary education and undergraduate years. Students who performed well in these exams demonstrated superior communication skills, alongside the positive impact of extracurricular participation as revealed through EDA. The results of the study guide oral English communication practice for students’ future careers and educational.