Objective: present the main factors causing reluctance of a target group to partake in English oral activities. Method: the techniques used for this inquiry were the classroom observation and the interview; in addition, a questionnaire was applied to the students, from which a focus group was drawn. Results: the results indicated that these students were aware of their limitations regarding the lack of vocabulary and a solid pronunciation. Discussion y Conclusion: this study confirmed that anxiety, low motivation for communication, low self-confidence in learning a foreign language, the teacher’s method to monitor oral activities, the fear of making mistakes and the fact of being ridiculed by peers are some shared factors affecting these students’ oral participation.