STUDENTS’ DIFFICULTIES IN LEARNING SPEAKING SKILL THROUGH ONLINE LEARNING

Abstract

This research aims to find out the difficulties and the factors underlying the difficulties of learning speaking skill faced by English Education students. The researcher used a qualitative design with a case study. In collecting the data, the researcher used content analysis, observation, and interview. The participants in this research were second year students of English Education Department at Universitas Hindu Negeri I Gusti Bagus Sugriwa Denpasar. The data analysis techniques of this research were data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing/verifying. The results showed that there were three kinds of difficulties, such as: (1) linguistic difficulties comprise of lack of vocabulary mastery, difficulties in grammar, difficulties in pronunciation, lack of comprehension, and lack of fluency. (2) psychological difficulties are identified by fear of mistakes, shyness, anxiety, lack of confidence, and lack of motivation. (3) contextual difficulties are including teaching-learning method and learning environment. From each of those difficulties have certain factors that underlie the difficulties faced by the English Education students. Therefore, the speaking course lecturer should know that the difficulties faced by students when learning speaking skill have its own underlying factors. Besides, other researchers can continue this research on a related topic and find out the strategies to overcome the difficulties and factors underlying the difficulties.