Investigating Lack of Confidence Learners in English Speaking: A Case Study at LIA Pramuka English Club

dr.santi chairani djonhar, ma: h.ujang suparman, ma.ph.d;

Confidence is very important to be possessed by every language learner. In fact, most of learners especially for those who learn English, still get lack of confidence. The study was intended to investigate factors contributing to lack of confidence in English speaking, the strategies to overcome lack of confidence and the learners’ perceptions of self-confidence in involving speaking practice in English Club. Based on the study, it was expected that the factors contributing to lack of confidence, the strategies to overcome lack of confidence and the learners’ perceptions of self-confidence in English Club could be identified. The data were obtained through the three research instruments, such as interview with the English Club members, observation during English Club speaking activities and narrative form written by them. This study which was conducted at English Club LIA PRAMUKA Jakarta involved the three members who were chosen purposively by the researcher. The findings of this study were as follows. The first, the factors contributing to lack of confidence
in English speaking were lack of vocabulary and being afraid of making mistakes. The second, the strategies to overcome lack of confidence during their speaking involvement in English Club were paying attention to friends’ speaking and asking friends who sat next to them and looked up dictionary to find out words to be uttered. The last finding revealed that their perceptions of self-confidence being in English Club had up and down in their practice. Moreover, as the time went on, they could get their confidence during the speaking practice in English Club. They sight English Club had positive things to increase motivation and it led to their increase of confidence in speaking. Based on the finding of the study, it is suggested that in order to increase confidence in English speaking, it needs a willingness to be actively involve in many speaking experiences wherever they are. It is hoped that from the speaking experiences could enrich their speaking strategy, therefore they could increase their confidence properly.