Exploring EFL University Students Learning Strategies, Challenges and Obstacles in Speaking Class

Ilzam Al Mustova, 2023. Exploring EFL University Students Learning Strategies, Challenges and Obstacles in Speaking Class. Thesis. English Language Education Department Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, University of Nahdlatul Ulama Sunan Giri Bojonegoro. Supervised by Iin Widya Lestari, M.Pd. and Ainu Zumrudiana, M.Pd.
Learning strategies are special thoughts or behaviours that individuals use to help them comprehend, learn, or retain new information. This research aims to analyse the strategies implemented and analyse the challenges and obstacles faced by University English Students in speaking classes. This research method descriptive qualitative. The subjects of this study were 20 students for questionnaires and 5 students for interviews in the second semester University of Nahdlatul Ulama Sunan Giri Bojonegoro. The research instrument was the SILL questionnaire which consisted of 24 items and interviews which consisted of 3 questions. This study used a purposive sampling technique. The researcher concludes that the strategies used most by students is cognitive and affective strategies. Then followed by compensation and social strategy. Then is the metacognitive strategy. The least used strategy is the memory strategy. The difficulties and obstacles experienced by students are lack of confidence and nervousness when students speak in front of the class.
Keywords : Language Learning Strategy, Speaking, Challenge and Obstacle