Students’ Learning Strategies Used In Online Academic Speaking Classes

Abstract

Academic speaking has become an essential course in the Faculty of Language and Arts (FLA) of Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana to encourage speaking skills in various professional contexts, especially in learning English as a foreign language (EFL). Hence, the research question of this study aimed to describe what do the student do in an online academic speaking class (including what strategies are used by the students) in academic speaking classes. The results showed students' preparation before attending online academic speaking classes, In-class activities done in online academic speaking classes, follow-up activities after online academic speaking classes, and online assignments in online academic speaking classes. The participant of the study were forty students who took an Online Academic Speaking class. The study data were collected qualitatively using an open-ended questionnaire, and follow-up interviews were offered. The data were analyzed under the theory promoted by Zacharias (2013). The research findings revealed the use of learning strategies in online academic speaking classes, such as; Social and Affective strategies. Moreover, both of these strategies were relied on by students in this study because students tended to practice speaking before class or after class. Not only that, but students also had high motives to improve their speaking skills in English academic contexts. This study is hopefully beneficial for students as a reference in an online academic speaking class.