IMPROVING STUDENTS’ LISTENING SKILL THROUGH THE USE OF THINK-PAIR-SHARE (TPS) TECHNIQUE IN THE EIGHT GRADE OF SMP NEGERI 1 SLEMAN IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR OF 2016/2017

Abstract

The research is aimed at improving the students’ listening skill in class VIII F of SMP N 1 Sleman, in the academic year of 2016/2017 by using Think-Pair-Share (TPS) technique. The research was classified as action research. It was conducted in two cycles with two meetings for each cycle. The main subjects of this research were 31 students of class VIII F. The data obtained were qualitative and quantitative. The qualitative data were gained from the observations, interviews with both English teacher and the students, and discussions with the collaborator. The data were transformed into interview transcripts and vignettes.  Meanwhile, the quantitative data were gained from the listening tests that were conducted after the implementation in Cycle I and Cycle II. The validity of the data was gained by applying democratic, outcome, process, catalytic, and dialogic validity. To get the trustworthiness, the researcher used a triangulation technique. It was done by gathering data from different points of view, including the students’, the teacher’s and the collaborators. The results of the research showed that the use of TPS was effective to improve the students’ listening skills. There was an increase in the means score from 73,33 in the post-test of Cycle I to 80,33 in the post test of Cycle II. There were some good improvements in some aspects such as their familiarity in listening to English words and their vocabulary. The students also improved their confidence. They became actively participate in discussion during the teaching and learning process