Student’s Perception on the Influence of the First Language in their English Learning

In the process of learning English, for Indonesians, the first language is one ofthe most influential factors when learning English takes place. Students may experience learning difficulties such as confusion, nervousness, and difficulty organizing words. This study aims to know the difficulties faced by students in the influence of the first language on learning English and to know students’ strategy in dealing with the influence of the first language on learning English. The researcher used a descriptive qualitative design. Data were collected from six ELED student participants in the English Education Department at a private university in Yogyakarta. The findings of this study is difficulties and strategies in learning English. The difficulties is to know the influence of pronunciation and grammar, and The strategy is to practice speaking using YouTube videos, listening to English music, and the last by watching movies using English subtitles.