An Analysis of Fillers in Academic Speaking Performance Among EFL Students

Restiani, Salma Maudyta (2026) An Analysis of Fillers in Academic Speaking Performance Among EFL Students. Undergraduate Thesis thesis, UIN K.H Abdurrahman Wahid Pekalongan.

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Official URL: https://perpustakaan.uingusdur.ac.id

Abstract

This study examines the challenges EFL students face when required to generate ideas, select appropriate vocabulary, and construct sentences simultaneously during academic speaking performance. As a result, students often use filler words to maintain the flow of communication. Although gaps from previous studies have been investigated through a focused analysis of the types and functions of filler words used by EFL students during academic speaking performance. This study employed a descriptive qualitative design. The participants were three students in their fifth semester who had completed the Academic Speaking course at a university in Central Java, Indonesia. Data were collected through video-based observations of students' academic speaking performances and semi-structured interviews. To ensure the data was reliable, they checked it by comparing information from video recordings with interview results. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The types of fillers were classified according to Clark and Tree (2002), and the functions of fillers were analyzed using Schiffrin (1987) discourse markers theory. The study found 64 filler words, divided into two types: lexicalized fillers and unlexicalized fillers. The unlexicalized fillers like uhh and umm, and the lexicalized fillers like so, okay, right, and yeah. The results also showed that fillers only had four of five functions in communication, according to Schiffrin (1987) framework: Exchange Structure, Ideational Structure, Action Structure, and Participation Framework. These functions helped students keep conversations going, link thoughts together, move smoothly between topics, and keep people interested while speaking in academic settings. The results show that fillers are not just signs of hesitation, but also tools people use to help keep conversations flowing and interact more smoothly.

Item Type:

Thesis (Undergraduate Thesis)

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