An Analysis of Junior High School Students' Difficulties in Mastering English Grammar: A Case Study of Grade 8

Abstract

This study explores the difficulties faced by eighth-grade students at SMP Yayasan Perguruan Nasional Brigjend Katamso in learning English grammar, particularly parts of speech. Many students struggle to understand and remember grammar concepts, often expressing confusion. While some can identify parts of speech with reminders, others need more practice and exposure to fully grasp the material. The research reveals a gap between knowing grammar rules and using them in sentences, as only a few students could provide correct examples like "dog" (noun) or "swiftly" (adverb), while most struggled with sentence construction. In addition to external problems like repetitive teaching methods and limited opportunities for practice outside of class, internal factors like low motivation, lack of confidence, and limited understanding of the benefits of English also contribute to these challenges. The study recommends using innovative teaching strategies and giving students more opportunities to interact with English in authentic contexts to improve their learning experience.