DIFFICULTIES AND FACTORS OF LOW ACHIEVERS IN SPEAKING

Abstract

This study aimed to know the difficulties and the factors causing faced by the low achievers in speaking. The research used a qualitative method by doing observation and interview. The researchers used the purposive sampling technique. This research had 21 participants out of 97 students from the third semester who were taking Public Speaking subject in English Education Department of Universitas Muhammadiyah Purwokerto. The data collection was done by using observation and semi-structured interviews. The questions consisted of 11 items. In a conclusion, the problems in speaking refer to linguistic problems (pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, performance variables, and fluency), and non-linguistic problems (inhibition, nothing to say, low or uneven participation, and mother tongue use). The factors causing problems in speaking refer to non-psychological factors (lack of vocabulary, inadequate strategic competence, and teaching strategies), and psychological factors (fear of mistakes, shyness, anxiety, lack of confidence, and lack of motivation).