Challenges in Learning English for EYL Students: A Current Issue of Indonesian Private Islamic Elementary Schools in Malang Regency

Abstract

This paper aims at investigating students’ challenges in learning English. This study applied a basic qualitative research approach. The data were collected through questionnaires and interviews. The questionnaires were distributed to the different school students, and the interviews were conducted with six private Islamic elementary school English teachers. Then, the data were analyzed qualitatively. The findings revealed that elementary school students, especially Private Islamic Elementary Schools Students in Malang Regency encountered some challenges in learning English, especially in pronunciation, vocabulary mastery, writing English words correctly (spelling), and memorizing English vocabulary. The findings suggested and recommended elementary school English teachers to highlight and underscore solving and minimalizing those challenges by easy and adaptable ways of teaching English.