English Speaking Skills Enhancement: Insights from UNP Alumni of The Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards Program

Wahyuni Wahyuni; Rizaldy Hanifa

doi:10.24036/jelt.v14i2.133930

English Speaking Skills Enhancement: Insights from UNP Alumni of The Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards Program

Wahyuni Wahyuni⁽¹⁾, Rizaldy Hanifa⁽²⁾,
(1) Universitas Negeri Padang

Indonesia
(2) Universitas Negeri Padang

Indonesia

Corresponding Author
Copyright (c) 2025 Wahyuni Wahyuni, Rizaldy Hanifa

DOI : https://doi.org/10.24036/jelt.v14i2.133930

Full Text:

Language : en

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the perception of UNP Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) alumni regarding the influence of studying abroad on their speaking skill enhancement. This research employed a qualitative descriptive design. The participants were five UNP students who had studied abroad as IISMA awardees for one semester. The data was collected using open-ended interviews. The findings showed that the studying abroad experience through the IISMA program has a positive impact on the participants’ speaking skill enhancement. Besides that, the data revealed that students still encounter challenges such as adapting to accent differences and overcoming a lack of confidence in a formal context. Related to this, it is suggested that accent training programs or communication mentoring in an academic setting provide speaking interaction practice that simulates native language environments. Therefore, educational institutions are strongly advised to be able to encourage more opportunities for international collaboration and speaking experience in various settings, enabling students to practice the language in real-world situations.

Keywords

Perception, Studying Abroad, IISMA, Catalyst, Speaking Skill

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