Factors Affecting Students’ Difficulties In Speaking English In Indonesia’s Remote Area

Abstract

This study aims at investigating factors affect students’ difficulties in speaking English at the eight-grade of UPT SMPN Ujung Jampea No 9 Kepulauan Selayar, South Sulawesi. The research design was survey which is classifies as quantitative. The population of this study were two classes consisting of 40 students and the researcher used total sampling technique. The instrument was a close-ended questionnaire which consists of 24 items. The data were analyzed using a percentage formula. The findings revel that there are two factors influenced students' speaking problems at UPT SMPN Ujung Jampea No 9 Selayar Islands, they are internal factors and external factors. Internal factors include shyness, lack of confidence, anxiety, and fear of making mistakes; while external factors comprise mother tongue use, learning media use, lack of parents' attention, and teacher support. The most influential factor is mother tongue use as the students feel more comfortable and can easily understand the material. The implication of this research is to provide insight for schools and teachers to overcome the difficulties faced by students in speaking English in remote area.