THE JUNIOR STUDENTS PERCEPTIONS OF TASK-BASED APPROACH IN LEARNING SPEAKING (A Case Study at English Education Program of Universitas Galuh

Ciamis)

Lia Herlina English Education Program, Universitas Galuh Ciamis Jln. R. E. Martadinata No. 150, Ciamis liaherlina711@yahoo.co.id

Abstract This present study investigates the students perceptions of task-based approach in learning speaking, particularly at junior level at English Education Program of Universitas Galuh Ciamis. Speaking is the most important communication form that should be mastered by students. In mastering speaking, students faced some problems, and to overcome the problems, the teacher should be have appropiate approach. The appropiate approach which it means by the researcher is task-based approach in which aimed to provide the students with a natural context for language use (Larsen-Freeman, 2000:144). In this regard, the researcher addresses two questions: (1) what are the sophomores problems in learning speaking? and (2) how the junior students perceptions of task-based approach impact in their learning speaking? To get the data, the researcher employed a case study where she administered questionnaires and interviews to 4 students at junior level at English Education Program of Universitas Galuh Ciamis. The results show that the junior students perceptions of taskbased approach were positive, on the whole, and the process did indeed quite significant to improve their speaking skill. However, the lecturer must also collaborate on creative approaches in language teaching so that the students do not get bored. Key words: the junior students perceptions, task-based approach, learning speaking