Vocabulary and oral expression: Linguistic barriers in young learners in EFL context

Word-for-word the advanced English Language learners' vocabulary skills present a profound hurdle towards self-articulation, socially, academically, or otherwise, and with fluency. These gaps in vocabulary severely cripple effective communication simultaneously resulting in a paradoxical understanding of communication. This study, therefore, seeks to establish the extent to which lack of vocabulary skills affects oral skills and find the factors that constitute the gaps in communicative abilities. This study purposively collected quantitative data from 5th graders in Santa Ana Private Educational Unit and employed semi-structured interviews to collect qualitative data from teachers. Teachers gave some responses that enabled them to understand the communication problems that existed in the classroom. The study aimed to understand how vocabulary problems are proportioned to students not being able to express themselves articulately in desired discussions. Looking from both sides helps in understanding the situation in total. This helped understand the extent to which oral articulation and expression were inhibited due to great gaps in vocabulary.