This research aimed to find out the factor causes of problems in speaking English and how students overcome their problems in speaking English at SMP Negeri 1 Mempawah Hulu. This research used a qualitative and quantitative descriptive approach. Data collection techniques used questionnaires and interviews. Closed questionnaires were distributed to 26 class VIII students of SMP Negeri 1 Mempawah Hulu and were selected using purposive sampling
techniques. Meanwhile, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 7 students to strengthen the data.
Research findings show that the first factor that causes students to experience anxiety in speaking English is Lack of confidence with a percentage of 54%, and the second is fear of mistakes with a percentage of 50%, shyness with a
percentage of 50% and the last result is lack of motivation with a percentage of strongly agree 50%. The causes of these difficulties are a lack of self-confidence, fear of being laughed at, and fear of making mistakes. They have great motivation in learning English, so they can encourage students to overcome these problems.
Students also tend to participate actively when they feel supported by the teacher's efforts in creating a pleasant learning atmosphere such as dialogue interactions. In overcoming anxiety about speaking English in front of the class, students have strategies, and the highest percentage is preparation, and then relaxation, positive thinking, and peer seeking and the lowest result is resignation. It is hoped that the findings of this research can give information and add knowledge to English teachers about factor cause of anxiety and could find an appropriate
strategy to reduce their students’ speaking anxiety.

Keywords: Descriptive study, Students’ Anxiety, Speaking English