Using Picture Cues to Improve the Eight Grade Students' Speaking Skill in SMPN 09 Malang

ABSTRAK Speaking is one of four skills in English that plays an important role in communication. Since the purpose of language learning is to be able to talk or communicate with other people, mastering speaking skill is considered important. The purpose of this study isto improve the speaking skill of the eight graders in Junior High School 09 Malang since in the preliminary study the researcher found that the speaking skill of the students was lowand they were also low motivated in learning English.The researcher used Classroom Action Research (CAR) design collaborated with the English teacher in SMPN 09 Malang. There were 4 steps in this method, which are planning, implementing, observing and reflectingThe teacher was trained by the researcher before the implementation of the action as the observer. Besides, during the planning, the researcher made the teaching scenario together with the English teacher. In the teaching scenario, there were 3 stages that the researcher used in the learning and teaching process. Those were pre-activities, whilst activities and post activities.The subjects of this research were32 eight grade students in Junior High School 09 Malang at the second semester academic year 2016/2017. The researcher used 4 kinds of instruments,which are field note, questionnaire, observation sheet and speaking test.This research is considered successful if 75% of the students pass the minimum passing grade which is 75.The findings of the research showed an improvement of the students in their speaking skills. It was proven by the number of students who could pass the criteria of success, which is 75. Besides, the responsesof the students in the implementation of picture cues in teaching speaking were also good. They liked the use of picture cues in learning English because it helped them understand the material better and elevate their confidence. It also helped them speak English fluently and pronouncing the words well. Thus, it is recommended that the English teacher can adopt the use of picture cues in teaching English, especially in teaching speaking skill. The future researcher is also expected to conduct the study using picture cues in another skill and materials. Besides, the researcher also hopes that the future researcher can conduct the study in different level of education, whether in elementary or senior high school