Learning Strategies of Successful English Learners at MAN 3 Malang in Improving their Speaking Ability

ABSTRACT Kusumaningrum, S. R. 2010. Learning Strategies of Successful English Learners at MAN 3 Malang in Improving their Speaking Ability. Thesis, English Department, Faculty of Letters, State University of Malang. Advisor: Drs. Murdibjono, M.A. Keyword: learning strategies, successful English learners, speaking ability. This study was conducted to describe learning strategies of successful English learners at MAN 3 Malang in improving their speaking ability. Specifically, this study aimed at describing: (1) strategies used by successful English learners to assist in converting controlled processes into automatic ones, (2) strategies used by successful English learners when they got difficulty in expressing their idea orally using English, (3) strategies used by successful English learners in maintaining their speaking ability. This study was a descriptive study as it was intended to establish the existence of phenomena by explicitly describing them. Specifically, the design of this study was a case study as the researcher was interested in describing some aspects of the second language performance or development of subjects as individuals. The instruments used in collecting the data were questionnaires and interview guide. The data collected from those two instruments were selected, simplified, and organized to draw the conclusions. Based on the findings, successful English learners used these following strategies in assisting them in converting controlled processes to the automatic ones: structured reviewing and lowering anxiety counts 14% respectively; representing sounds, translating, self-monitoring, taking risk, and listening to the body counts 57% respectively; while repeating, formally practicing with sounds, recognizing and using formulas, recombining, practice naturalistically, transferring, paying attention, delaying speech production, seeking practice opportunity, and cooperating with others were the most preferred strategies used by the subjects as they count 100% respectively. Related to their effort in overcoming their limitation in speaking, they used these following strategies: switching to the mother tongue was used by 1 subject in this study; avoiding communication was used by 4 out of 7 subjects; 71% of the subjects used finding out about language learning and discussing feelings with others as their strategies in solving their difficulties in speaking; while placing words in context, formally practicing with sounds, using resources, reasoning deductively, getting help, using mime/gesture, selecting the topic, using synonym/circumlocution, identifying the purpose of a language, planning for a language task, self-evaluating, and asking correction were their preferred strategies in overcoming their limitation in speaking as all the subjects used these strategies. In addition, maintaining speaking ability is important, otherwise the learners will experience such kind of attrition. These following strategies were used by the subjects in maintaining their speaking ability: 43% of the subjects used organizing and rewarding oneself; making positive statements counts 86%; while seeking practice opportunity, using resources, overviewing the materials, setting aims, self-evaluating, developing iv cultural understanding, and becoming aware of other people’s thought and feeling count 100% which means that these strategies are the preferred strategies used by the subjects in maintaining their speaking ability. In conclusion, learning strategies gave great contribution to the learners’ success as shown in the findings in this study. In line with the findings of this study, it is recommended for the other English learners to use the appropriate strategies so that they become successful learners. Besides, it is hoped that the English teachers can teach those strategies to their students so that they can choose which was appropriate for them. Moreover, it is suggested for the parents to provide as much as practice opportunity for their children in learning a language. Finally, for the future researchers, it is hoped that they can investigate learning strategies of successful English learners in the same skill (i.e. speaking), or in the other language skills, i.e. listening, reading, and writing.