Developing Effective Language Learning Strategies to Solve Learners’ Difficulties in the Use of the Target Language

Abstract

Even with the most communicative approach, the foreign language classroom is limited in its ability to develop learner’s communicative competence in the target language. This is due to the restriction of exposure to the variety of functions and discourse types occurring inside the classroom. Given such limitation to develop their competence and the constraint time the learners’ interest to speak up may become low. Having seen these phenomena, a responsible teacher should maximize opportunities for learner’s participation outside the classroom such as interview and chat in natural communication tasks. To improve learners’ speaking skill, this research is carried out to find out the problems of natural communication using the target language in oral interview and written chat messaging. And the appropriate research for teachers is an action research. By following a four-part process, teachers can use conversation and discourse analytic techniques to analyze the difficulties of communication in the language. The data are analyzed under the scope of grammatical, sociolinguistics, strategic and discourse competence. Meanwhile, the chat data are analyzed on the basis of turn-taking, sequencing and repairing. Finally, the mapping of the learners’ speaking proficiency is attributed as intermediate-low, and relevant materials such as CCU are recommended.

Key words: Developing, Effective, Language Learning Strategies, and  Difficulties in the Use of the Target Language