THE DIFFICULTIES FACED BY THE SECOND YEAR STUDETNS IN UNDERSTANDING SENTENCES AT ENGLISH DEPARTMENT OF BUNG HATTA UNIVERSITY

Abstrak

Abstract

            The aim of this study was to describe the students’ difficulties in understanding sentences. Relating to this, the researcher used descriptive method. The population of this study was the second year students at English Department of Bung Hatta University. The total members of this population was 104 students. The sample of this study was class C. The number of sample members of class C was 27 students. The data of this study were gathered using reading test in the form of short answer items. Before the researcher gave the real test, she tried it out since the instrument was categorize nonstandardized test. The result of the try out test was used to know the reliability of the test. It was found that the reliability of the test was high (.80). Based on the result of this study, most students have difficulties in understanding sentences. It was indicated by the fact that there were 20 students (76%) got difficulties in identifying key idea (see Appendix 8). It was indicated by the fact that there were 10 students (38%) got difficulties in locating detail. It was indicated by the fact that there were 13 students (50%) got difficulties in identifying less and more important idea. The lecturers are suggested to explain more comprehensively about identifying key idea, locating detail, and identifying less and more important idea and give more exercises to the students and the students are also suggested to learn and do more exercises.

Key Words : students’ difficulties, simple sentence, complex sentence, understanding sentences.