THE USE OF STORYTELLING TECHNIQUE TO IMPROVE SUDENTS’ SPEAKING SKILLS OF GRADE VIII STUDENTS IN SMPIT AL-KHAIRAAT IN THE ACADAMIC YEAR OF 2017/2018

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to improve students’ speaking skills of grade VIII students through storytelling technique in SMPIT Al-Khairaat Yogyakarta. 

The study, which is categorised as action research, was conducted in two cycles. The steps of this study were reconnaissance, observation and planning of the actions, implementation of the actions, and reflections. The data of this study were qualitative in nature and supported by quantitative data. The qualitative data were obtained from the observation and discussion while the quantitative data were obtained from the pre-test and post-test scores. The instruments used in this study were observation guides, interview guides, pre-test and post-test. The data were in the form of vignette, interview transcripts, and students’ test scores. The data were analysed by assembling the data, coding the data, comparing the data, building meanings and interpretations, and reporting the result. Validity and reliability were examined by democratic, result, process, catalytic, and dialogic validity. 

The finding shows that the implementation of storytelling technique can improve students’ speaking skills especially their pronunciations, grammars, and vocabularies. The improvement of students’ average speaking scores were from 3,33 (pre-test) to 4,25 (post-test). The use of dictionary, English classroom, media, and feedback also supported the storytelling activities and made the teaching learning process more fun. In short, storytelling activities supported by the various media, the use of dictionary, and the feedback improved students’ speaking skills.  

Keywords: storytelling activity, students’ improvement, speaking skills