ABSTRACT

Maulidina, Nurfakhriyana. 2022. Learning Speaking Strategies Used by TheLambung Mangkurat University English Debaters. Sarjana’s Thesis. English Language Education Study Program, Faculty of Teachers Training and Education, Lambung Mangkurat University, Banjarmasin. The first advisor: Dini Noor Ariani, M. Pd., the second advisor: Raisa Fadila, M.Pd.

Keywords: Learning Speaking Strategies, Advanced Debaters, Debate Competitions.

            English as a universal language has a vital role in communication, especially speaking skill. Due to this importance, many competitions aim to support and enhance students’ speaking skill, confidence, poise, and self-esteem in an academic term. One of the competition is called debate, which requires appropriate learning strategies to support speaking skill in their performance. Thus, it becomes the primary purpose of conducting this research. In addition, this research aimed to study the advanced debaters of Lambung Mangkurat Universitybecause they had enough experience and concrete learning strategies. Therefore, this research is entitled Learning Strategies Used by The Lambung Mangkurat University English Debaters.

            The researcher adapted the Qualitative approach with three advanced debaters from Lambung Mangkurat University as the subjects. The data collection was conducted using questionnaires, interview, and a document study. After the data was collected and analyzed,  the researcher found out that the debaters dominant used an Indirect strategy in their learning, which was Affective Strategy rather than other strategies. Although, they still use different strategies such as cognitive, metacognitive, and social strategies, the result of the study indicated that these are the only outnumbered strategies they used during the debates.

            Therefore, it is suggested that the debaters learn the learning strategies to find which strategies are suitable for them and know how far they improve their speaking ability. Successful learners in speaking English have clear goals and good planning. By knowing what they do in learning to say, the debaters can prioritize trying those strategies. Meanwhile, it is suggested for future researcher to conduct further research with a more comprehensive or different community with the same field of study. It would be better to conduct the research not only for the debaters but also for other communities.