Implementing Strategic Communication Training to Overcome Student’s Speaking Difficulties in English Among Eight Grade Students at SMPN 1 Krejengan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26877/ijre.v6i2.3742Keywords:
Strategic Communication Training, EFL, Speaking, Strategic Competence, Junior High School, Speaking AnxietyAbstract
Many EFL students at the junior high school level struggle with communication breakdowns due to limited vocabulary and high anxiety, yet traditional speaking instructions often overlook the explicit teaching of strategic competence. This study aims to examine how Strategic Communication Training can help EFL students at SMPN 1 Kerejengan overcome speaking difficulties, focusing on improving their ability to manage communication breakdowns, enhance fluency, and increase confidence. This study employed a qualitative case study design, with data collected through semi-structured interviews, classroom observations, and document analysis, and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal that Strategic Communication Training significantly improved students’ speaking fluency, confidence, and interaction ability. Students demonstrated effective use of strategies such as paraphrasing, circumlocution, clarification requests, and confirmation checks. Classroom participation also increased through role-plays and group discussions, while students became more capable of maintaining conversations despite linguistic limitations and showed reduced speaking anxiety. This study is applicable in EFL classrooms, particularly in junior high schools and teacher education programs, providing practical insights for curriculum developers. The novelty of this study lies in integrating Strategic Communication Training into classroom-based speaking instruction, offering new insights into how strategic competence can enhance students’ communicative proficiency and overall engagement in EFL learning.References
Adeoye, M. A. (2024). Mastering the basics: A guide to research methodology for effective writing and publication. Chalim Journal of Teaching and Learning, 4(1), 30–41.
Aini, K. N., Murtiningsih, R., Baroroh, N., & Jati, K. W. (2022). The effect of financial slack, institutional ownership, media exposure on carbon emission disclosure with solvability ratio as a moderating variable. 2nd International Conference of Strategic Issues on Economics, Business and, Education (ICoSIEBE 2021), 147–153.
Alasmari, N. J., & Althaqafi, A. S. A. (2024). Teachers’ practices of proactive and reactive classroom management strategies and the relationship to their self-efficacy. Language Teaching Research, 28(6), 2158–2189.
Alkhaldi, A. A., Alhasan, R. F., Huwari, I. F., & Abushaaban, H. (2023). Strategies for reducing oral communication apprehension in English: A qualitative study of Jordanian undergraduates. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 13(7), 1638–1644.
Amrullah, A. M. K., & Zuhriyah, I. A. (2025). The Challenges of Developing Islamic Education Curriculum and Strategies for Its Development in Facing Future Competency Demands. Tafkir: Interdisciplinary Journal of Islamic Education, 6(1), 111–126.
Aziz, A. (2024). The Attraction of the Kampung Inggris for Students as Target Areas Improves English Speaking Skills. Channing: Journal of English Language Education and Literature, 9(1), 29–39.
Bhati, K., & Sethy, T. (2022). Self-efficacy: Theory to educational practice. The International Journal of Indian Psychology, 10(1), 1123–1128.
Bilak, H., & Henrietta, B. (2024). Developing students’ speaking skills through games.
Diobi, J. O., & Nashruddin, N. (2023). Communication strategies used by students in English learning-teaching. JELITA, 4(2), 133–146.
Donkoh, S., & Mensah, J. (2023). Application of triangulation in qualitative research. Journal of Applied Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 10(1), 6–9.
Dörnyei, Z. (1995). On the teachability of communication strategies. TESOL Quarterly, 29(1), 55–85.
Dwiyanti, A., & Lolita, Y. (2023). The effectiveness of role play in improving speaking skill of EFL students. Prosodi, 17(2), 138–148.
Hijazi, A. M. (2025). STRATEGI PEMBELAJARAN SPEAKING UNTUK MENINGKATKAN KEMAMPUAN BERBICARA SISWA SMK CENDEKIA MUSLIM. Jurnal Tahsinia, 6(8), 1204–1216.
Islam, W., Ahmad, D. S., & Islam, M. D. (2022). Investigating the problems faced by the university EFL learners in speaking English language. Islam, W., Ahmad, S., & Islam, MD (2022). Investigating the Problems Faced by the University EFL Learners in Speaking English Language. International Journal of TESOL & Education, 2(2), 47–65.
Kadasah, S. F., Abd Al Galil, F. M., Kolhe, B., & Shinde, S. M. (2022). Scientific research methodology principles, methods, and techniques. Book Rivers.
Melansari, D., Fransisca, D., & Wahyuni, S. (2025). Indonesian Student’s Difficulties in Speaking English. JEIT (Journal of Educational Innovations and Technologies), 1(2), 150–167.
Ningtyas, T. R., & Amirudin, A. (2025). The role of digital media in enhancing students’ communicative competence. Jurnal Onoma: Pendidikan, Bahasa, Dan Sastra, 11(1), 1070–1077.
Rajitha, K., & Alamelu, C. (2023). The Effectiveness of Activity Based Four-Dimensional Integrated Strategy for Alleviating Speaking Anxiety. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 13(8), 1861–1870.
Rasyid, F., Ibna Seraj, P. M., Ghofur, A., & Asrifan, A. (2023). Students’ perception toward teaching strategies of native and nonnative English‐speaking teachers: A case study in Indonesia. Education Research International, 2023(1), 7827917.
Richards, J. C., & Rodgers, T. S. (2014). Approaches and methods in language teaching. Cambridge university press.
Rizqiyanti, R. (2023). Exploring teachers’ instructional strategies to facilitate the oral fluency of EFL beginner level students. English Learning Innovation, 4(2), 109–121.
Rybchynska, A. (2023). Development of communication skills through the introduction of interactive teaching methods in English lessons. Scientific Bulletin of Mukachevo State University. Series “Pedagogy and Psychology, 9(2), 9–17.
Sarifudin, S., & Setyawan, W. H. (2025). The effect of using role-play method in improving speaking skills of basic level students at central course. Prima Magistra: Jurnal Ilmiah Kependidikan, 6(1), 29–35.
Tristasari, S. (2025). Analysis of students’ difficulties in speaking skills in studying English. ELT Forum: Journal of English Language Teaching, 14(Special Issue), 369–381.
Vale, I., & Barbosa, A. (2023). Active learning strategies for an effective mathematics teaching and learning. European Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 11(3), 573–588.
