The Interplay of Self-Confidence And Communicative Competence of Junior High School in Indonesia

Abstract

This study aims to examine the relationship between students’ self-confidence and communicative competence, particularly speaking ability, among junior high school students in Indonesia. The research was conducted at SMPN 9 Pinrang, involving eighth-grade students as the research participants. This study employed a descriptive correlational design to determine whether students’ self-confidence was significantly related to their speaking performance. The population consisted of 104 students, while the sample comprised 28 students selected through cluster sampling. The data were collected through a self-confidence questionnaire and an oral speaking test. The data were analyzed using the Pearson Product Moment correlation formula. The findings showed that the correlation coefficient between students’ self-confidence and speaking ability was 0.700. This value was higher than the r-table value at both the 5% significance level (0.374) and the 1% significance level (0.478), indicating a significant correlation between the two variables. The correlation coefficient also fell within the range of 0.61–0.80, which indicates a substantial correlation. Therefore, the null hypothesis was rejected, and the alternative hypothesis was accepted. The study concludes that students’ self-confidence has a significant relationship with their communicative competence. Students with higher self-confidence tend to demonstrate better speaking ability, as they are more willing to express ideas, participate in oral communication, and use English in classroom interaction.