The Problems of Learning English at SMP Negeri 9 Malang

ABSTRACT Handayani, Nova Dwi. 2009. The Problems of Learning English at SMP Negeri 9 Malang. S-1 Thesis. English Department, State University of Malang, Advisor: Dra. S. Nurul Muthmainnah, M.A. Keywords: students’ problems, learning English Language is one of the most important aspects of human’s life. Without language, communication will be difficult to be conducted. One of the most important languages in the world today is English. In Indonesia, English is taught since elementary school until high school and university. It means that students in Indonesia have learned English for years. However, there are only small number of students who have mastered the language. They still find problems in understanding oral and written texts. The researcher conducted the research in SMP Negeri 9 Malang, that was in class 8C, because of three reasons: (1) she was conducting her internship at that class so it helped to collect the data more easily, (2) she was teaching at that class most often, that was five hours a week, and (3) class 8C students had low achievements in English subject. This study was intended to find out: (1) the problems of class 8C students in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, (2) the students’ efforts to overcome their problems, and (3) the teacher’s strategies to overcome the students’ problems. The design of this study was descriptive qualitative and quantitative. The subjects of the study were the English teacher and the students of class 8C students of SMP Negeri 9 Malang. The instruments used to collect the data were questionnaires, interview guide, and observation sheet. The findings showed that there were some problems faced by the students in learning English. The students’ problems in listening were: (1) problems in catching the words or sentences which were said, (2) problems in understanding the meaning of words because of the lack of vocabulary mastery, and (3) the problems dealing with the speaker’s speed of speech. The students’ problems’ in speaking were: (1) problems in pronunciation, (2) the limited of vocabulary mastery, (3) inconfidence to speak, and (4) problems in choosing vocabulary to use. The students’ problems in reading were: (1) problems in understanding the meaning of vocabulary used in the text, (2) problems in catching the information in the text, and (3) problems in the way of reading. The students’ problems in writing were: (1) problems in applying grammar in writing, (2) lack of vocabulary mastery, (3) problems related to the idea to write, and (4) problems in spelling the words. In overcoming their problems in learning English, the students preferred asking question to the teacher, friends or family rather than open their books or dictionaries. Very few of them liked to practice more often in order to improve their ability in language skills. The English teacher had some strategies to help the students overcoming their problems in learning English by applying CTL, cooperative learning, games, and singing a song in the teaching and learning process. She also motivated her students over and over, asked their problems, andiv gave help. She gave mark in every student’s homework and assignment to encourage their motivation in learning English. From the research findings, some suggestions were given for the students, the English teachers, the head master, and the future researchers. The students are suggested that they are more critical to what they understand and they do not understand, so that they know the problems they actually face in learning English and then motivate themselves to learn much better and limit their bad learning habits. The English teachers are suggested to be aware of the problems which are faced by their students and apply more appropriate teaching techniques. The teachers are also suggested to be creative to avoid the boredom of the students. The head master is suggested to pay attention to English teaching and learning process, including equipping the school library with various and sufficient number of textbooks and finishing the laboratory should be fastened to accommodate the proper listening activities. The other researchers are suggested to conduct further research dealing with the students’ problems in learning English in other schools and the more appropriate techniques to solve the problems.