Exploring the Role of English Club Activities in Enhancing Senior High School Students' Speaking Skills: A Qualitative Study in Indonesia
Keywords:
English Club, speaking skills, extracurricular activities, learning strategies, EFL learnersAbstract
Speaking is one of the most important language skills in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learning; however, many Indonesian students still encounter difficulties in developing oral communication competence due to limited opportunities for authentic language practice. This study aimed to explore the implementation of the English Club program and identify the learning strategies employed by students to improve their speaking skills at SMA Al Islam 1 Surakarta. A qualitative descriptive research design was adopted. The participants consisted of 35 students participating in the English Club program and one instructor. Data were collected through classroom observations and were analyzed using the interactive model of Miles and Huberman, including data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The findings revealed that the English Club was implemented through various communicative activities, including debates, storytelling, speeches, conversations, and movie-based learning. These activities provided meaningful opportunities for authentic language use, increased students' confidence, and encouraged active participation in speaking practices. The study also found that students employed diverse learning strategies, such as self-directed learning, peer collaboration, media exposure, and technology-assisted learning. High-achieving students tended to use more autonomous and intensive learning strategies, while lower-achieving students relied more on peer support and digital tools. Overall, the English Club program played a significant role in enhancing students' speaking abilities and fostering positive attitudes toward English learning. The study suggests that extracurricular English programs can serve as effective complementary learning environments for improving speaking skills in EFL contexts.
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References
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