AN ANALYSIS OF STUDENTS’ DIFFICULTIES IN LISTENING COMPREHENSION AT TENTH GRADE OF SMA NEGERI 4 TARAKAN
Listening comprehension is considered the most challenging skill in English language learning. Tenth-grade students at SMA Negeri 4 Tarakan still experience limited vocabulary, rapid speech, poor audio quality, environmental distractions, and low motivation. This study aims to analyse these difficulties and their underlying factors using a qualitative descriptive approach through observations, interviews, and document analysis. The findings indicate that the primary obstacles stem from vocabulary limitations, audio speed, inadequate media quality, external disturbances, and affective factors such as anxiety and low motivation. This research provides a comprehensive overview of students' listening challenges and serves as a foundation for teachers to design more effective listening instruction strategies tailored to learners' needs.