Strategies of successful english language learners : a case study of one EFL learner with unfortunate conditions at SMA Negeri 1 Boyolali

Oleh :
Cynthia Ayu Purnomo - K2210011 - Sekolah Pascasarjana

Cynthia Ayu Purnomo. STRATEGIES OF SUCCESSFUL ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS (A Case Study of One EFL Learner with Unfortunate Conditions at SMA Negeri 1 Boyolali). Thesis, Teacher Training and Education Faculty, Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta. Agustus 2014. The objectives of this research are to find out problems faced by successful EFL learners with unfortunate conditions and to identify strategies they use. This research belongs to qualitative research with the type of case study. The research subject is one successful EFL learner with unfortunate conditions from SMA Negeri 1 Boyolali. The sources of data come from the informant, teachers, the informant’s friends and parent. The techniques of data collecting are in-depth interview, observation and document analysis. Techniques used to reach the validity of the data are triangulation and member checking. The techniques of data analysis are data reduction, data display, conclusion drawing and verification. The result of the research shows that 3 main problems of the learner are on grammar, vocabulary and self confidence. The others are problems on pronunciation, speaker’s speaking rate, focusing when listening, spelling and learning facilities. The learner uses some effective strategies in order to overcome these problems and improve her skills. The types of the strategy are creating mental linkages, employing action, practicing, analyzing and reasoning, creating structure for input and output, guessing intelligently, overcoming limitations in speaking and writing, centering your learning, arranging and planning your learning, evaluating your learning, taking your emotional temperature, encouraging yourself, lowering your anxiety, asking questions, cooperating with others and empathizing with others. The conclusion of the research is although the learner has some unfortunate conditions that may impede her to attain learning achievements in the EFL context, she shows that she is able to overcome her problems through strategy uses and become a successful EFL learner. Keywords: learning problem, learning strategy, successful EFL learner, unfortunate condition