Speaking Competence of G-11 Students in Using English as 2nd Language

This study aimed to investigate the influence of some personal factors, speaking anxiety and linguistic competence to students speaking competence in the second language. The Second Language Classroom Anxiety Scale was used to measure students anxiety towards the use of English as a second language. Job interview simulation is also used involving selected Grade 11 students. Results showed that majority of the students are specialized in non-STEM strand whose parents are not college degree holders. These students demonstrated an average level of speaking anxiety reflecting the tendency to show low self-confidence when asked to speak using the English language yet unprepared for the conversation. Same students also showed remarkably low levels of linguistic competence in terms of grammar, comprehension, and vocabulary. Further analysis showed that linguistic competence significantly influenced students speaking competence in the job interview. Findings were used as bases for the development of an intervention program.