An Analysis of Challenges Among English Education Department Students in Writing BA Thesis Proposal

The purpose of this study is to explore PBI students' challenges in developing thesis proposals and their ways of dealing with these challenges. To achieve the goal, a qualitative descriptive design was used in this study. The research data was collected through documents analysis and in-depth interviews. To collect data, 23 pieces of thesis proposal as document analysis and 10 interviewees were selected purposively. The results of the data show that all students have challenges in writing their thesis proposal, such as entering research design and finding gaps in chapter 1. While in chapter 2, most students did not write, such as some theories and previous studies. Moreover, in chapter 3, few students did not include several components, such as Research Sites and Participants, and Methods of Data Collection. It happens because Students are confused to write as required due to lack of information about obligation to carry out those elements. To deal with those challenges, Students prefer to ask their friends and consult their lecturers. Although his or her supervisor gives each student guidelines and assistance in dealing with these challenges, the guidelines and assistance provided by each supervisor is different, causing confusion and errors in making a thesis. Therefore, they hope that thesis proposal guidance should be universally offered and socialized and they believe that with such a guide, there is no longer a difference that confuses students, lecturers and supervisors to prepare students for future studies and careers.