”An Analysis of the First Year Students’ Ability to

Abstrak

Learning English is not only knowing the meaning of words and the structures but also knowing how to pronounce the words correctly and clearly. Pronunciation is viewed as a sub-skill of speaking (Ahmadi,2011). Pronunciation is the important thing in English language. In learning English, foreign language learners should gain the pronunciation skill for effective communication in English.

The purpose of this research was to describe students’ ability to produce aspirated stop at the English Department of Bung Hatta University. The design of this research was descriptive research. The population of this research was the first year students at English Department of Bung Hatta University. The total sample members were 25 students, and they were chosen by using total sampling technique. The data were collected through oral pronuncation test. To make the test reliable, the researcher used inter-rater method. The reliability index of the test was 0.73.

The result of this research showed that in general the students’ ability to produce aspirated stop was very good. It was proved by the findings that  17 (68%) students had very good ability. Specifically, it was also found that in producing aspirated stop /p/, they had good ability. It was proved by the fact that 13 (52%) students had good ability. In producing aspirated stop /t/, they had very good ability. It was proved by the fact that 13 (52%) students had very good ability. In producing aspirated stop /k/, they had very good ability. It was proved by the fact that 17 (68%) students had very good ability.

Based on the findings of this study, simple conclusion could be drawn that the students had very good ability. It is suggested that the students should maintain their ability to produce aspirated stop, by learning more about it and practice everyday. Besides, the lecturers are suggested to give more explanation and exercises to improve students’ ability to produce aspirated stop.

Keywords: Pronunciation, Ability, Aspirated stop.