PROBLEMATIC ISSUES IN MASTERING SPEAKING SKILL AT EIGHT GRADE STUDENTS OF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL HKBP SIDORAME MEDAN

Abstract

Speaking is one of the four skills in English. It is used by people as the main process in daily communication with other people. In teaching and learning English, speaking is an important skill, as it takes more than knowing the grammar and vocabulary. English Speaking is also not easy for students, because they must study hard if they want to speak fluently and have good comprehension to speak. Therefore, they must learn more about vocabulary and pronunciation. The purpose of this research was to find out the students’ difficulties in speaking English and to find the solutions to overcome the students’ difficulties in speaking English. The research used qualitative approach and used the descriptive qualitative design. The researcher uses observation, interview,questionater and documentation as instrument data. In this research, the researcher uses non participant observation, the researcher only becomes an observer. The researcher chosen the eight grade of SMP Swasta HKBP Sidorame Medan.From the result of the observation, interview and documentation the researcher found that most of the students have several difficulties in speaking English. The students do not know the vocabulary because they do not want to memorize the vocabulary. They worry about making mistakes in grammar and pronunciation. They are embrassed to speak in front of the class because they afraid if laughed at by their friends. They prefer to use their own language. So, from the data above, the researcher conclude that there are several students' difficulties in speaking English, there were lack of vocabulary, lack in pronunciation, poor in grammar, fear of mistake, shyness and mother-tongue use.