This study aims to explore the challenges and strategies in teaching English speaking skills to young EFL learners from the perspective of elementary school teachers. In this study uses qualitative research employed a narrative inquiry design to collect detailed stories and experiences that researcher conducted in-depth interviews and classroom observations with five English teachers from different elementary schools in Kediri: SDI Bandar Kidul, SDN Banjarmlati 2, SDN Turus, SDN Besuk, and SDN Gabru. he findings revealed that learners face several speaking difficulties such as lack of vocabulary, pronunciation problems, low motivation, lack of confidence, and reluctance to speak. Teachers addressed these challenges through strategies such as simulation, storytelling, role-play, picture describing, and picture narrating. These strategies were shown to increase students’ engagement and speaking confidence. This study highlights the importance of teacher awareness and adaptive strategies in improving the speaking skills of young EFL learners.

Keywords: Speaking, EFL Young Learners, Teacher Challenges, Teacher Strategies, Narrative Inquiry