ANCHORING THEORY ENHANCES SPEAKING PERFORMANCES AMONG MUET CANDIDATES

IN SMK MADAI

ABSTRACT

Creating supportive surrounding is one ways to promote a non-native English speaker to speak and
participate in a conversation. The ability to communicate in English is influenced by both internal and
external issues. Those issues are mainly on the knowledge of the language and support from the
surroundings. Knowledge on the language is an issue which can be resolved during the preparation
period. While having supportive surrounding is subject to the situation during the communication
process. Therefore, preparing a surrounding which can support candidates to speak is a way to help
them during their speaking test. This paper addresses the way practised in SMK Madai as to create a
supportive surrounding for every candidate sitting for Malaysian University English Test (MUET)
Speaking (800/2). The way in which supportive surrounding is created during Speaking test is by
implementing the anchoring theory in laying out a strategy to help every speaking team. Taking into
consideration one of the skills in 21st century teaching skills; Collaboration, an anchor will act in
providing the support for the team mates and ensuring the involvement of all mates during group
interaction. The overall speaking performances increased as candidates able to cater both the internal
and external issues for speaking test.

Key words: Non-native English speaker – Those whose L1 is not English , SMK Madai – a suburban
school in Kunak, Speaking test – one of the four skills tested in MUET.