EFL Learners’ Perception through Communication Strategies to Improve Their Speaking skill

EFL learners might get different achievements in learning speaking. Some learners might get high achievement while some others might get low achievement. These differences of levels of achievement are influenced by some factors. One of the learning approaches that might bring learners to develop their speaking skill is using communication strategies. This study is about the perception of EFL learners through communication strategies usage to improve their speaking. This study used a qualitative case study and it is aimed at discussing some observations and in depth interviews results to two EFL learners on their perception to use communication strategies to improve their speaking. To dig further the discussion on learners’ perception through the use of communication strategies, the theory of Dornyei (1995) about communication strategies was used. Data were in the form of words or expression stated by the two EFL learners taken as the subjects of the study. These learners are chosen as the subjects of the study based on their very active participation in speaking class activities. Data were collected through observation and in-depth interview. The result showed that both learners agree that communication strategies might help them cope with the difficulties they found during the conversation caused by their limited mastery of linguistic elements. There are two communication strategies they used frequently in the conversation: use of non-linguistic means strategies and fillers. For the use of non- linguistic means strategies, they often used hands movements, smiles, and also eyes contacts. Finally, using communication strategies EFL learners might improve their speaking skill.