IMPROVING STUDENTS’ SPEAKING SKILLS THROUGH THE USE OF ROLE PLAYS IN GRADE EIGHT OF SMPN 4 BANGUNTAPAN, BANTUL IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR OF 2017/2018

Abstract

The objective of this research was to improve Grade VIII students’ speaking ability by using Role Playing technique in SMPN 4 Banguntapan, Bantul.

It was an action research study which consisted of two cycles. The researcher worked collaboratively with the English teacher, the students, and the collaborators. The subjects of the research were students of  VIII C of SMPN 4 Banguntapan in the academic year of 2017/2018. The data were in the forms of qualitative and quantitative ones. The qualitative data were collected by observing the teaching and learning process, and interviewing the students, the teacher and the collaborators. The data were in the forms of field notes, interview transcripts, photographs, and videos. Meanwhile, the quantitative data were collected through assessing the students’ speaking performance. The data were in the form of students’ speaking scores. They were analyzed descriptively. The procedure of the research consisted of reconnaissance, planning, acting, and reflecting.

The results of this research showed that the use of Role Playing technique was successful to improve the students’ speaking ability. Based on the qualitative data, the use of classroom English helped the students to be more familiar with English. The role play performances also helped them enrich their vocabulary knowledge and build their accuracy. Furthermore, Role Play technique was successful to encourage them to practice speaking. Meanwhile, the use of various media could attract their attention to get engaged towards the teaching learning process. Based on the quantitative data, the students’ mean scores for the speaking skill improved significantly from 61 in the pre-test (with SD 1,4) to 75 in the posttest (with SD 5,4) which showed Role Play technique gave a significant improvement in students’ speaking performance.

Keywords: Role playing technique, speaking ability.