IMPROVING STUDENTS’ PRONUNCIATION THROUGH SONGS IN THE SECOND GRADE OF SMPN 1 TASIKMADU KARANGANYAR

IMPROVING STUDENTS’ PRONUNCIATION THROUGH SONGS IN THE SECOND GRADE OF SMPN 1 TASIKMADU KARANGANYAR Kartika Indah P. 05202244018 ABSTRACT The objective of the research is to improve both teachers’ and students’ performance in pronunciation by implementing songs in SMPN 1 Tasikmadu Karanganyar in the academic year of 2009/2010. This study is action research. The data collected were qualitative in nature. They were obtained by observing the English teaching and learning process during the implementation of the actions, interviewing the students of second grade of SMPN 1 Tasikmadu, and holding discussions with the English teacher. The data were in the form of field notes, interview transcripts, and photographs. The data were taken from the field notes and interview transcripts. Steps of research are reconnaissance, planning, action and observation, and reflection. The instruments for collecting the data were researcher herself accompanied with a handy camera, observation guides, and in-depth interview guides. The problems found in the reconnaissance were; the teacher never used interesting materials, media and techniques; the students’ pronunciation was low; and the students did not have self-confidence to speak English. These problems were solved by using songs that included three actions implemented in the research. They were done in two cycles. They are; giving more pronunciation practices to the students; implementing songs in the class; and encouraging the students by competition. The findings show that giving pronunciation practices to the students was successful to make students familiar with English pronunciation. However, the use of competition to improve students’ confidence was not really successful. The implementation of songs in the teaching of pronunciation was successful to improve teachers’ and students’ performance in pronunciation