English Teachers’ Difficulties in Implementing Authentic Assessment in Speaking Skill

The background of this research is the important of implementing authentic assessment since it is one of the demands of the current curriculum, curriculum 2013. However, many teachers still face some problems in implementing it. This research aims to investigate the types of authentic assessment in speaking and teachers’ difficulties in implementing it. The method used is descriptive. The data were collected through interviewing the English teachers of grade XI in MAN Koto Baru Solok, and analyzing teachers’ documents. The findings showed that the teachers used type and various steps in implementing authentic assessment in speaking; however, they still faced some problems such as not having enough time to assess all of the students’ performances that make it less optimal in assessing them, and having difficulties in categorizing speaking rubrics based on its level.