EFFORTS TO IMPROVE STUDENTS’ SPEAKING ABILITY AT GRADE X SMK MUHAMMADIYAH 3 WATES IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR OF 2013/2014 BY USING PICTURES

This research is aimed at improving students’ speaking achievement by using pictures for Grade X at SMK Muhammadiyah 3 Wates.. This action research study consisted of two cycles, involving 20 students of Class X Keperawatan 1. In conducting this research, the researcher collaborated with the English teacher as a collaborator and the students of Class X Keperawatan 1. The data of this study were qualitative and quantitative. The qualitative data were obtained by observing the teaching and learning process during the implementation of the actions and interviewing the students and the collaborator about the implemented actions. The qualitative data were in the form of field notes and interview transcripts. Meanwhile, the quantitative data were gained by assessing the students’ speaking skills through the test after post test. The qualitative data were analyzed using the qualitative data analysis proposed by Burns (1999). The quantitative data were in the form of students’ scores in the implemented activities and the main projects. Then, they were analyzed quantitatively to find the mean in order to show the improvement of the students’ achievement in writing. The results of posttest show that the implementation of pictures and other accompanying activities (playing interesting games, implementing interesting activities, using classroom discussion and pair work, managing the classroom and giving feedback, giving rewards to the students) was successful in improving the students’ ability in speaking teaching and learning process. The findings were supported by the means of the students’ writing scores which had improved from 66.55 in the pre action and 86.10 in the post action