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
A CASE STUDY OF EFL STUDENTS: CURRENT CHALLENGES IN
LEARNING BUSINESS ENGLISH
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
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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
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A CASE STUDY OF EFL STUDENTS: CURRENT CHALLENGES IN
LEARNING BUSINESS ENGLISH
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
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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
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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
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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
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