STUDENTS^ BARRIERS, HOPES AND SHORT-TERM PLANS TOWARDS THEIR SPEAKING SKILLS IMPROVEMENT Ali Wira Rahman and Rizka Indahyanti
Universitas Muhammadiyah Parepare
Abstract
This study aimed at investigating the students^ barriers, hopes, and short-term plans toward their speaking skill improvement. This study involved 70 participants who were learning English in the context of English for specific purposes. The instruments used in this study were questionnaires, observations and interviews. The findings indicated that the barriers encountered by the students in developing their speaking skills fall into three categories, namely barrier from within them, barrier from the environment and the lack of precise learning methods used by teachers in schools. They hope to be able to improve their English skills at least mastering daily communication so that they are able to interact using everyday English.