The language learning strategies used to develop English communicative competence among university students / Nurul Hidayah Rozlan

English proficiency level among Malaysian students has declined in spite of English being made the compulsory subject in all primary and secondary schools curriculum. The Ministry of Education (2000) states that the curriculum “'aims to extend learners’ English proficiency in order to meet their needs to use English in certain situations in everyday life, for knowledge acquisition, and future workplace need." However, many students complain that they understand the language but are not confident enough to converse using English language. The main purpose of this study is to provide significant findings related to the language learning strategies in developing competent English speaking skills. This study will focus on the use of speaking strategies by university students to acquire English speaking fluency and proficiency. Ten Semester Three students from the Faculty of Public Administration were selected and responded to the study. A qualitative research method was used to analyze the data. The results showed that the students use various language learning strategies in order to make themselves communicatively competent in using English. The results also showed that students need to have a high motivation level to learn, acquire and master the English language. The implications and recommendations of the study are also discussed.