IMPROVING STUDENTS’ LISTENING COMPREHENSION OF GRADE X IN SMA MUHAMMADIYAH 1 YOGYAKARTA USING ENGLISH STORY-TELLING TECHNIQUES IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2015/2016

Abstract

The objective of the  research was to improve the students’ listening comprehension of grade X in SMA Muhammadiyah 1 Yogyakarta using English story-telling techniques in the academic year 2015/2016. The research was carried out through action research that consisted of two cycles. The research steps are reconnaissance, planning, action and observation, and reflection. The researcher collaborated with the English teacher in implementing the actions. The members of the research were the researcher, the English  teacher, and the students of Grade X. The data were qualitative and quantitative. The validity of the data was obtained by applying the democratic, dialogic, catalytic, process, and outcome validities. The qualitative data were obtained by observing the teaching and learning process during the implementation of the actions, interviewing the students, and holding discussions with the English teacher, while the quantitative data were obtained from pre-test and post-test. The data were  in the form of field notes, interview transcripts, and documentation. The qualitative data were analyzed by assembling, coding, comparing, building interpretations, and reporting the outcome. Meanwhile, the quantitative data were analyzed by calculating the mean scores of the pre-test and the post-test. The mean score of both tests were compared. The findings of the study showed that the use of English story-telling techniques proved to be effective to improve the students’ listening  comprehension. The students made a good improvement in some aspects of listening comprehension skills. They became interested in the English listening class and they felt that the lesson did not make them bored. The findings were  supported by the means of the students’ listening scores which had improved from 8.2 in the pretest to 8.5 in the post-test.