A STUDY OF STUDENTS’ SPEAKING ANXIETY AT SMP
KRISTEN SATYA WACANA
Wulandari Santoso
ABSTRACT
This study aimed at investigating the causes of students’ speaking anxiety at SMP Kristen Satya Wacana. A mixed-method was used in the study in order to present both quantitative and qualitative data. This study used a set of questionnaires distributed to sixty-six participants at SMP Kristen Satya Wacana. The participants were asked to choose the causes of their speaking anxiety offered in the questionnaire items according to their personal opinions. The questionnaire items were developed based on the literature used in this study. After that, the quantitative data were presented and then the data were described qualitatively. The results of this study revealed that the major factor contributing to the participants’ speaking anxiety was the concern about accuracy and grammar. Interestingly, the quantitative data of this study showed that a significant number of participants were less anxious especially when dealing with classroom settings and activities, and teachers. The results of the study is expected to contribute to student teachers and language teachers in general. This study is to help them to be aware that speaking anxiety may exist among EFL student, so that they can develop their approaches in teaching speaking to minimize their students’ anxiety and to give more exposure to English for their students.
