Abstract
This research aims to find out the common errors made by students studying at one of the vocational colleges in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. The students’ opinions on their experiences of learning English, particularly in speaking, were also explored. This qualitative-quantitative research design was conducted by collecting some recordings of the students’ speaking performance, and distributing questionnaires on the process of teaching and learning EFL to be filled in by the participants. In the analysis, the data from the recordings were coded, transcribed, described and displayed in accordance with the students’ error items. Meanwhile, the analysis of the questionnaire employed a simple percentage calculation. From the speaking performance, the students in the speaking class produced two types of common errors, i.e. pronunciation and grammar errors. The common errors in their English pronunciation vary between the vowel and the consonant. The errors in vowel production were produced the most. Meanwhile, 70% of the students made errors in grammar on language tense and some on plural morphemes. From the questionnaire, it was revealed that even though the students tried to speak English well, all of them were aware and agreed that they made grammatical errors when speaking English.
Highlights
It has been debated for decades that Indonesian students face a number of problems in learning English
There are several common errors produced by the students in the speaking class
Based on the analysis of data, it was found that the common errors encountered in their English speaking performance were pronunciation
Summary
This circumstance directs teachers to identify the problems and the difficulty of the EFL students in the learning process. It is expected that both teachers and students to play their roles effectively in the classroom in order to develop students’ capabilities in mastering English. Hadijah (2014) reported that pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension are the main problems for 130 college students in Samarinda, Indonesia, in enhancing the speaking skill. She stated that the major problem faced by the students is grammar, followed by pronunciation, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. Instead of correcting all errors, teachers should give students chances to do self-correction as well
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
