English language acquisition requires students to have their own strategies.
Using the right language learning strategies can help students master English. This
study examines the challenges international students face in developing their English
language skills and the strategies used to overcome these challenges. In this study, the
researcher used qualitative methods and a narrative inquiry design. The researcher
conducted in-depth interviews with international students. The results show that
international students face various challenges including anxiety, low self-confidence,
writing and pronunciation difficulties, and difficulty understanding different accents.
However, international students also use various strategies to overcome these
challenges, including studying with friends, taking notes and summaries, using online
dictionaries, and regular writing and speaking practice. This research has implications
for developing more effective English language programs for international students.