The Identification of the Problem The Method of the Study The Use of the Study

As it can be known that the words that are spoken, thought or asked in one place by one person may be reported in another place at a different time, and perhaps by another person. Therefore, they should change the tenses in other word the students reporting uses tenses that relate to the time when they make the report, not to the time when the authentic words were used, and they need to change the pronoun or speaker in order to make it acceptable and meaningful within a language. On the contrary, when the students want to report somebody’s word, thoughts and ideas in Indonesia language, then, the grammatical changes won’t be happened or they do not need to change the tense or pronoun like in English language. It means there are often grammatical differences between Indonesia and English language. That is why students often do mistake and find difficulty when they quote direct into indirectreported speech in English. It can be concluded from statement above, that the grammatical changes which happened when the direct form transformed into indirect form has become one of difficulties that occur when the students learn reported speech. Therefore, it is important for learner to have a good understanding on it and memorize the rule or form very well. Based on the description above, the writer would like to conduct the research on the students’ difficulties in learning reported speech. The study is done in first year students of MA Pembangunan UIN Jakarta. So, the writer would like to discuss it in her “Skripsi” under the title: “ An Analysis on Students’ Difficulties in Learning Reported Speech at the First Year Students of MA Pembangunan UIN Jakarta”

B. The Identification of the Problem

Based on the background of the study above, there are many problems that can be identified in this research such as: 1 The students’ difficulties in learning reported speech. 2 The causes of the difficulties in learning reported speech which is faced by the first year students of MA Pembangunan UIN Jakarta.

C. The Limitation and Formulation of the Problem 1.

The Limitation of the Problem Based on the identification of problem above, the writer is going to analyze the students’ difficulties in learning reported speech. Of course, it can be seen that study is still general and abroad. Therefore, she limits the problem especially on reported question.

2. The Formulation of the Problem

In line with limitation of problem above, the writer formulates the problem of the study as follows: 1What are the difficulties faced by the first year students in learning reported question? 2Why do the students face difficulties in learning reported of question?

D. The Method of the Study

The writer used the descriptive method in this study. It is a research method where the person doing the research presents in a descriptive manner. 9 Its aim is to describe the nature of situation as it exist at the time of the study and to explore the causes of particular phenomena. 10 This type of research is also grouping that includes many particular research methodologies and procedures, such as observations, surveys, self reports and tests. 11

E. The Use of the Study

The use of this study is expected to provide a contribution of knowledge for students who still find problem and confuse when learning a reported question, so they can overcome their difficulties in their learning activity. Then, for the teacher of English language, it is also expected to be useful information, 9 www. answers. yahoo. com. 19 September 2010 10 www. slideshare.net. com. 19 September 2010 11 www. answer. yahoo. com. 19 September 2010 so they will know how far the students comprehend about reported question, the difficulties which are faced by students when they learn this subject matter, and the causes of those difficulties. Besides, the result of this study will direct the English teacher to do some evaluation and revision in their teaching-learning activity. It is also expected that both teacher and students will have a good collaboration to overcome all problems that happen especially in learning reported question. Next, for further researchers: it can be as a reference in conducting similar study in the next time. Finally, for the writer and other readers who are concerned with this paper, it is as one of resource which can enhance their perception and knowledge in learning reported question. F . The Organization of the Study This “Skripsi” systematically consists of five chapters. Here are the short description of it’s contain: Chapter one is introduction. It contains of the background of the study, the identification of the problem, the limitation and formulation of the problem, the method of the study, use of the study and the organization of the study. Chapter two is theoretical framework. It discusses the concept of grammar definitions and types of grammar, reported speech meaning, kinds and transformational rules from direct question into reported question, and the students’ difficulties in learning reported question definition of learning, learning difficulty, and difficulty in the change of tense and pronoun. Chapter three is research methodology. Research methodology consists of the purpose of the study, the time and place of study, the population and sample of the study, the instrument of the research, the technique of collecting data, and the technique of data analysis. Chapter four is research findings. They consist of data description, data analysis, and interpretation data. Last chapter is conclusion and suggestions.

CHAPTER II THEORETICAL FRAMEWORKS

A. Grammar

1. Definitions of Grammar

Grammar is the natural, inherent meaning-making system of the language, a system that governs the way words come together to form meanings; grammar is also the study of that system, the various theories or perspective that attempt to understand and describe it. 1 According to David Crystal in the Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language, “Grammar is a device of some sort for producing the sentences of the language under analysis.” 2 David Nunan defined in Second Language Teaching and Learning Grammar as “A description of the structure of a language and the way which linguistic unit such as words and phrases are combined to produces sentences in the language.” 3 1 Craig Hancock, Meaning-Centered Grammar, London: Equinock Publishing ltd, 2005, p. 6. 2 David Crystal, The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language, New York: Cambridge University Press, 2003, 2 nd , p. 88. 3 David Nunan, Second Language Teaching and Learning, Boston: Heinle publisher, 1999, p. 97. 8