EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE SPEAKING ABILITY OF THE VIIIB GRADE STUDENTS OF SMP N I PONJONG THROUGH COMMUNICATION GAMES IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2008/2009

EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE SPEAKING ABILITY OF THE VIIIB GRADE STUDENTS OF SMP N I PONJONG THROUGH COMMUNICATION GAMES IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2008/2009 ABSTRACT Anjar Rokhani 04202241011 The objective of this study is to improve the speaking ability of the VIIIB students of SMP N I Ponjong through communication games in the academic year of 2008/2009. The study attempted to be one of solutions of the problems related to the students’ speaking ability which is considered to be low. This study is action research. It involved the students of class VIIIB at SMP N 1 Ponjong, Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta in the academic year of 2008/2009, the English teacher of class VIIIB, and the researcher. The steps in action research consists of four phases namely reconnaissance, planning, action and observation, and reflection. The data were obtained by interviewing the English teacher and the students of grade VIIIB, and observing the teaching and learning process. The instruments were the researcher, observation guide, and interview guide. The data, therefore, were in the form of interview transcripts and field notes. The collected data were analyzed qualitatively. The research shows the implementations of the actions were obviously effective to improve the students’ speaking ability. The improvement was reflected on the changes as the result of the research. The classroom activities in the English teaching learning process were conducted in interesting ways and give a lot opportunity to the students to speak/practice English. This made the students interested and active during the lesson. They, without hesitation, spoke and practiced English