THE CORRELATION BETWEEN ANXIETY AND ENGLISH SPEAKING SKILL OF THE SEVENTH-GRADE STUDENTS OF SMP PGRI 2 DENPASAR IN ACADEMIC YEAR 2024/2025

Feelings of incompetence when speaking are a major contributor to speaking anxiety. Speaking activities in foreign language learning can put mental pressure on students or mental freedom can affect students' speaking skills. The aim of this research is to determine the significant relationship between anxiety and English speaking skills of Seventh grade students at SMP PGRI 2 Denpasar in the 2024/2025 academic year. The research design used is a correlation research design. The sample was 30 students. In collecting data for this research, the author used two instruments, namely a speaking test for English speaking skills and a questionnaire for anxiety. The scored 2.339 for English speaking skills and 2.298 for anxiety. Data were analyzed using SPSS 29.0 which consists of Normality test, Homogeneity test, Pearson Product Moment and T test. Research findings show that the hypothesis in this study is that low correlation is accepted. Based on the results of Pearson Product Moment, r is obtained at 0.333. It is located between 0.200 -0.400 which is at a low level. In conclusion, correlation research proves that there is a low correlation between anxiety and the English speaking skills of seventh-grade students at SMP PGRI 2 Denpasar in the 2024/2025 academic year.