STUDENTS’ EFFORT TO IMPROVE SPEAKING SKILL

Abstract

The aims of this study was to find out students’ efforts in improving speaking skills at University of PGRI
Sumatera Barat. This present study employed a qualitative descriptive design with taken from a
questionnaire adapted from the College Students Experience Questionnaire (CSEQ) G.D Kuh (2003) as a
research instrument. The data collect by distributing questionnaires using Google Forms. There were 49
students first semester in 2021 studying at the Department of English Education, University of PGRI
Sumatera Barat who participated in this study. There are seven activity scales namely, library, classroom
learning, speaking experience, arts and music activities, campus facilities, groups and organizations, and
personal experiences. The results of the analysis showed that students' efforts to improve their English
speaking skills, from twenty-seven indicators of translation, students tend to make twenty-one attempts to
improve speaking skills. Most students go to the library to find English speaking resources. Students
increase their English vocabulary by reading many source books. Students learn in group discussions in
class. Most of the students when they meet at their campus location will discuss to improve their speaking
skills, etc. It can be concluded that first semester students use varied efforts to improve their speaking skills
in varied activities.