Improving students’ motivation through collaborative learning strategies (an action research at MTs NU 24 Darul Ulum Patebon Kendal Central Java in the academic year of 2015/2016)

Collaborative learning is an important strategy. By speaking, one can express his/her mind ideas, and thought freely and spontaneously. However, some language learners are usually afraid to speak the target language. Most of their reasons are shy or afraid of doing grammatical errors, and even afraid of using wrong dictions. Actually, this could be caused of monotones method that a teacher practices in the teaching learning process. Thus students are low motivated to speak second language. Therefore, teacher should have some alternative ways in order to improve students’ motivation to speak. This thesis was to obtain the answer of the question whether or not the collaborative learning strategies are effective used in teaching English at junior high school, and how this strategy can improve the third year students of MTs NU 24 Darul ulum motivation. The research was carried out from July to September 2015 at MTs NU 24 Darul ulum Patebon Kendal. Thirty five students of IX C as the subject of this research. The writer used action research as methodology. The results of the research showed that collaborative learning is effective in increasing the students’ motivation. By collaborative learning teachers could used this strategy in solving their problem about the student’s motivation and give a new perspective on teaching and learning process. They apply the reflective thinking in their teaching and learning process so that they will find the best solution for their problem in the future. It will be better if the collaborative learning strategy can be applied in English learning process because it prove the improvement of student motivation. For students could make an interaction between them and make the material more enjoyable. It was more understandable. The activities in collaborative learning give a big role in their learning. It made the learning more interesting. They could participate in all activities actively. Collaborative learning makes students creative in finding a solution for the problem they have. The condition of the class is more dynamic and the function of the students as the subject of the teaching and learning process can be done well. Collaborative learning also makes a passive student to become more active and give them the chance to be communicative with the material and their friends. By using a collaborative learning the students can share their understanding and knowledge with their friend, so that the difficulty in handling a material can be solved. The students also feel more motivated in learning English using a collaborative learning rather than learn a material individually. It is better to use a group as a solution for them in solving the problem in their learning that they have, by collaborative learning they can share their idea and their understanding about the material they have and it helps them to increase their understanding about the material. Suggested for the students to discuss with making a group in out the classroom learning activity. Collaborative learning can be strategy of each learning for students. Collaborative learning strategies so that they will be motivated in learning English, and when highly motivated the students will be able to increase their achievement in English