SECOND SUPERVISORS’ EXPERIENCE IN SUPERVISING UNDERGRADUATE THESIS WRITTEN IN ENGLISH

Abstract

In higher educational institutions in Indonesia, conducting a research and writing a thesis are often the final prerequisites for graduation. In Tonggak Equator Polytechnic, two supervisors are tasked with different responsibilities in the context of supervising the process of writing a thesis in English. However, the quality of the language used in the theses is considered insufficient. This study aims to investigate the problems faced by 2^nd supervisors in supervising thesis written in English, and 2^nd supervisors’ input on the improvement to the supervision process. This study is approached qualitatively with phenomenological method. Data is acquired through a semi structured interview with four informants who have had the experience of supervising a thesis writing process as 2^nd supervisors at Tonggak Equator Polytechnic. This study reveals that 2^nd supervisors’ problems involve the thesis writing guidebook, online consultation process, overlapping roles, students’ English proficiency and time. Informants suggests that the supervision process can be improved by improving the guidebook and the supplements, writing clinic, communication among 2^nd supervisors, and the formation of a language committee. This study implicates that the provisions concerning the duties of second supervisors in the context of thesis written in English should be improved to help increase the quality of the thesis.