IMPROVE ENGLISH SPEAKING SKILLS BY FINDING AN ENGLISH-SPEAKING CONVERSATION PARTNER

IMPROVE ENGLISH SPEAKING SKILLS BY FINDING AN ENGLISH-SPEAKING CONVERSATION PARTNER

Bella Amalia

University of Kuningan, Indonesia

Email: bellaamalia359@gmail.com

APA Citation: Amalia, B. (2019). Improve speaking skills by finding an english-speaking conversation partner. English review: Journal of English Education

INTRODUCTION

        English has a function as the main gate to get a better job since it used as the working language in international organizations and multinational companies (Nazara, 2010:1). This states that English is an important language that must be learned to welcome the era of globalization. Although in Indonesia English is not considered as a second language, but learning English will have a good impact on our lives. Hence, the four language skills including listening, speaking, reading, and writing should be taught integratedly (Pusat kurikulum, 2006).

       Quianthy (1990:7) defines speaking as the process of transmitting ideas and information orally in variety of situations. Furthermore, speaking is a complicated skill and how someone expresses their idea. Many language learners regard speaking ability as an indicator of knowing a language. English speaking skills, in particular, are very important things to learn. This can help us to better face the present era and the next era.

        A large percentage of the world's language learners studt English in order to develop proficiency in speaking (Richards & Renandya, 2002). Yet, the fact is students encounter many problems when learning language skills. Students lack practice in speaking English, even though practice is the key in mastering the ability to speak English. Often, students worry about their inability to speak, even though all require a process. Ralph Waldo Emerson says that "all the great speakers were bad speakers at first." So it is never too late to learn, everything is achieved well through the process.

        Dealing with this reality, the students is supposed to find the native speakers to support their speaking skills. The researcher states that it is important to find an English-speaking conversation partner. By finding and having English-speaking conversation partner, it can help to improve our English-speaking abilities. Why should an English-speaking conversation partner to improve our English speaking skills?

        Having a partner in communication support the students sharing and increasing their speaking skills. The process of practicing (speaking, discussion, presentation) is carried out with partners. They had a close-relationships, like a family.  They can share strange vocabularies bay means of discussion or presentation. They can share what they want to ask or know. The comfort zone had lead the students to open their mind. An English-speaking conversation partner can also provide a motivation to be more enthusiastic in learning English speaking skills.

        Motivation is needed to supporr the ability to speak English. An English-speaking conversation partner is the external factor influencing our skill to speak English. There are many ways to get an English-speaking conversation partner. We can find an English-speaking conversation partner with a friend who is fluent in English speaking skills, by joining an organization or a volunteer organization, through English private tutors, or by finding an online tutor through the mobile application.

        Specifically, the following are the research questions addressed:
1. What is the Speaking skills?
2. What is English-speaking conversation partner?
3. How do we find the right English-speaking conversation partner to improve our English speaking skills?
4. How does English-speaking conversation partner affect students' ability to improve their English speaking skills?




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