Students' Perception Toward Stereotypes Of English Accents On Speaking Skill At English Department

This study aimed to explore two primary objectives: firstly, to examine how local English accent stereotypes affect the language skill perceptions of students at UIN Ar-Raniry, and secondly, to investigate the impact of these stereotypes on the students themselves. Employing a qualitative case study methodology, the research involved interviewing seven students from the 2020 batch of the English Language Department at UIN Ar-Raniry, representing diverse regions in Aceh, including Banda Aceh, Aceh Besar, Aceh Selatan, Nagan Raya, Aceh Tengah, Pidie, and Pidie Jaya. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The result of this research reveals two critical insights: the existence of deep-seated social biases against local accents, particularly the Acehnese 'ATT', leading to unfair assessments of English proficiency and discrimination. An Acehnese accent is often wrongly associated with poor English skills. Furthermore, these biases have a varied impact on students, with some feeling motivated to enhance their English abilities, while others experience heightened insecurity, affecting their participation and interactions in the classroom. These insights are crucial in understanding societal attitudes and biases toward accents within the Acehnese context, offering significant practical and theoretical implications for educators, policymakers, and students.