A CASE STUDY OF EFL STUDENTS: CURRENT CHALLENGES IN ...

A CASE STUDY OF EFL STUDENTS: CURRENT CHALLENGES IN

LEARNING BUSINESS ENGLISH

THESIS

By:

Ulya Zunaidah

201510100311193

ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF MUHAMMADIYAH MALANG

2019



THESIS

This thesis is submitted to meet one of the requirements to achieve

Sarjana Degree in English Language Education

By:

Ulya Zunaidah

201510100311185

ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF MUHAMMADIYAH MALANG

2019

v

MOTTO AND DEDICATIONS

MOTTO:

“Be happy be bright be you”

‘’The best revenge is massive success.’’

(Frank Sinatra)

DEDICATION:

1. Allah SWT the almighty

2. Religion, nation and state

3. The researcher’s beloved parents, family and friends

vii



ABSTRACT

This study focused on the challenges in learning business English faced by

EFL students of English Language Education Department in learning Business

English at University of Muhammadiyah Malang. It delivered two purposes. They

were: (1) to know the challenges faced by EFL students on business English class,

(2) to find ways to deal with the challenges that exist in the business English class.

This research used descriptive qualitative method because it was intended to

describe the challenge in learning business English faced by EFL students of English

Language Education Department in learning Business English at University of

Muhammadiyah Malang and how the EFL students solve the challenge in doing it.

The participants of this study were 12 students of English Language Education

Department who joined the Business English course and business apprenticeship

program at hotels, a tourism place, an Education Service, a bank, and a tax office.

Moreover, interview was equipped as research instrument.

The findings exposed that the challenges covered some categories of

problems that have been faced by EFL students in learning business English are: (1)

lack of material, (2) lack of interest, (3) lack of self-confidence, (4) lack of

vocabulary, (5) improvement of communication skills, (6) discipline, and (7)

internship problems. However, the ways to overcome the problems were: (1)

reading more, (2) practicing business more, (3) practicing speaking in front of a

mirror, (4) adding experience and information from friends, seniors / employees,

and lecturers, (5) discussing things that become difficult, (6) preparing well, and (7)

motivating yourself..

Key words: Case study, business English, EFL, problem

Advisor I

Dr. Estu widodo, M.Hum

The researcher

Ulya Zunaidah

viii

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Alhamdulillah, all praises due to Allah SWT, the almighty, the most tactful

and the most merciful, without which I never have completed this thesis.

I would like to express the deepest of my heart, my gratitude and thanks to my

first advisor, Dr. Estu Widodo, M.Hum. and my second advisor, Masyhud, S.Pd.,

M.Pd. their unlimited supports, advice, patience, and superb guidance help me pass

this thesis. Besides, I am also grateful to all lecturers at English Language Education

Department. I am incredibly thankful and indebted to them for sharing expertise,

valuable guidance, and encouragement for me.

For the best supporters are my family ayah, mama, and my brother, thank you

for always praying for me. I would also present the thanks to my mood-booster, my

beloved friends who always help with my business and always understanding me,

they are Diana, Mega, Annisa, Haifah, Ima, Fitri, and Firdaus. I truly thank you all

for sparing the time and accompanying me to struggle together to finish the thesis

this.

In accomplishing this current thesis, I am aware that my thesis is imperfect.

Hence, it would be my pleasure to get any comments, feedbacks, and suggestions

for the improvement of this thesis. Moreover, I am beholden to many people for the

support, guidance, and help. The last thing, I also thank to those whom I cannot

mention one by one for the support and prayer for me to finish this thesis.

Malang, October 25, 2019

The Researcher

ix

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Approval ................................................................................................................. iii

Mottos and Dedications ............................................................................................ v

Letter of Authenticity .............................................................................................. vi

Abatract .................................................................................................................. vii

Acknowledgements .............................................................................................. viii

Table of Contents ..................................................................................................... xi

Reference..................................................................................................................xi

List of Appendices .................................................................................................. xi

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION 1.1 Research Background ......................................................................................... 1

1.2 Research Problems ............................................................................................. 4

1.3 Research Purpose ............................................................................................... 4

1.4 Scope and Limitation ......................................................................................... 5

1.5 Research Significance ........................................................................................ 5

1.6 Definition of Key Terms .................................................................................... 5

CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 2.1 Learning EFL ..................................................................................................... 7

2.1.1 Learning ESP ...................................................................................... 7

2.2 EFL Students ...................................................................................................... 8

2.3 EFL Learning Problems ..................................................................................... 9

2.4 Business English ................................................................................................ 9

2.5 EFL Students Challenge in Learning Business English ................................... 10

2.5.1 Understanding the Materials ............................................................. 11

2.5.2 Lack of Interest ................................................................................. 11

2.5.3 Less Self-Confidence ......................................................................... 12

2.5.4 Lack of Vocabulary ............................................................................ 12

2.5.5 Improving Communication Skills ...................................................... 13

2.5.6 Discipline ........................................................................................... 13

2.5.7 Internship ............................................................................................ 14

2.6 The Solution of EFL Students problem in Learning Business English ............ 14

CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHOD 3.1 Research Design ............................................................................................... 16

3.2 Research Subject .............................................................................................. 17

3.3 Data Collection ................................................................................................. 17

3.3.1 Technique and Instruments ................................................................ 18

3.3.2 Research Procedure ........................................................................... 18

3.4 Data Analysis .................................................................................................... 19

CHAPTER IV FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION 4.1 Research Findings ............................................................................................. 20

4.1.1 The Challenges Faced by EFL Students in Business English Class .. 20

4.1.1.1 Lack of Material .................................................................. 21

4.1.1.2 Lack of Interest ................................................................... 23

4.1.1.3 Lack of Self-Confidence ..................................................... 24

x

4.1.1.4 Vocabulary .......................................................................... 25

4.1.1.5 Communication Skills ......................................................... 26

4.1.1.6 Discipline ............................................................................ 27

4.1.1.7 Internship Problems ............................................................ 27

4.1.2 The Solution to the Challenge Faced by EFL Students in Business

English Clas ....................................................................................... 29

4.1.2.1 Lack of Material .................................................................. 30

4.1.2.2 Lack of Interest ................................................................... 30

4.1.2.3 Lack of Self-Confidence ..................................................... 31

4.1.2.4 Vocabulary .......................................................................... 32

4.1.2.5 Communication Skills ......................................................... 32

4.1.2.6 Discipline ............................................................................ 33

4.1.2.7 Internship Problems ............................................................ 34

4.2 Discussion ......................................................................................................... 36

CHAPTER V CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS 5.1 Conclusion ....................................................................................................... 39

5.2 Suggestions ...................................................................................................... 40

REFERENCE

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendices I Interview Guide ............................................................................... 47

Appendices II Tabulating of Data Challenges ....................................................... 48

Appendices III Tabulating of Data Solutions ......................................................... 53

Appendices IV Interview Transcriptions ............................................................... 54

xi

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