THE STUDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE ABOUT AMERICAN AND BRITISH ENGLISH DIFFERENCES AND THEIR PREFERENCE IN USING THOSE ENGLISH STYLES

This study tries to measure the knowledge of English Department students at State Polytechnic of Sriwijaya in academic year of 2013/2014. The data were collected through a test and interview. The result shows that the students’ knowledge of differences between American and British English are in satisfactory and bad knowledge level. In addition, the study also shows that most of students of English Department prefer to use American style when communicating in English. For that reason, the students should read and learn more about the differences between American and British English. Much information is available in books and internet. Besides, the students have to be consistent in using the style when communicating in English, for the English that have learned all this time become well. Key words: American English, British English, differences, knowledge, preference