improving students' speaking ability

130 Pages·2010·0.76 MB·English

IMPROVING STUDENTS’ SPEAKING ABILITY
THROUGH PROJECT WORK
A Classroom Action Research at SMK Negeri 2 Surakarta
in the Academic Year of 2008/2009

By:

Enny Setyo Mujiningsih
S890907006

Thesis

Submitted to Fulfil One of the Requirements for the Completion
of Graduate Degree in English Education

ENGLISH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
GRADUATE SCHOOL
SEBELAS MARET UNIVERSITY
2009

i
APPROVAL

IMPROVING STUDENTS’ SPEAKING ABILITY
THROUGH PROJECT WORK
A Classroom Action Research at SMK Negeri 2 Surakarta
in the Academic Year of 2008/2009

By:

ENNY SETYO MUJININGSIH
S890907006

This thesis has been approved by the Consultants of English Education of
Graduate School of Sebelas Maret University Surakarta,
on August 24, 2009

Consultant I Consultant II

Dr. Sujoko, M.A Drs. Heribertus Tarjana, M.A.
NIP. 130 817 794 NIP. 130 516 332

Approved By
The Head of English Education of Graduate School
Sebelas Maret University Surakarta

Dr. Ngadiso, M.Pd.
NIP. 131 792 932
ii
LEGITIMATION FROM THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS
Title:
IMPROVING STUDENTS’ SPEAKING ABILITY
THROUGH PROJECT WORK
A Classroom Action Research at SMK Negeri 2 Surakarta
in the Academic Year of 2008/2009

By:
ENNY SETYO MUJININGSIH
S890907006

This thesis has been examined by the Board of Thesis Examiners of Graduate
School of English Education of Sebelas Maret University Surakarta on August 27,
2009.
Board of Examiners Signature
Chairman : Dr. Ngadiso, M.Pd. ....................................
Secretary : Prof. Dr. Joko Nurkamto, M.Pd. ....................................
Members of Examiners:
1. Dr. Sujoko, M.A .....................................
2. Drs. Heribertus Tarjana, M.A. .....................................
Surakarta, August 27, 2009

The Director of Graduate School of The Head of English Education
Sebelas Maret University of Graduate School of Sebelas Maret
University

Prof. Drs. Suranto, M.Sc, Ph.D Dr. Ngadiso, M.Pd.
NIP. 131 472 192 NIP. 131 792 932

iii
PRONOUNCEMENT

This is to certify that I myself write this thesis entitled: IMPROVING
STUDENTS‘ SPEAKING ABILITY THROUGH PROJECT WORK (A
Classroom Action Research at SMK Negeri 2 Surakarta in the Academic Year
2008/2009). It is not plagiarism or made by others. Anything related to other‘s
work is written in quotation, the source of which is listed on the Bibliography.
If then this pronouncement proves incorrect, I am ready to accept any academic
punishment, including the withdrawal or cancellation of my academic degree.

Surakarta, August, 2009

ESM

iv
ABSTRACT
Enny Setyo Mujiningsih. 2009. Improving Students’ Speaking Ability
Through Project Work (A Classroom Action Research at SMK Negeri 2
Surakarta). Thesis, Surakarta: Graduate School Sebelas Maret University.

The research was conducted at SMK Negeri 2 Surakarta; the subjects of
the research were the tenth grade students in the academic year of 2008-2009. The
research aims to find out (1) whether the use of project work in teaching English
improve the students‘ speaking ability; (2) how/the atmosphere of the teaching-
learning process is when project work is applied in the speaking class; and (3) the
strengths and weaknesses in using project work in the classroom practice.
The study applied action research technique to improve students‘ speaking
ability through Project Work (PW). The research consisted of three cycles, with
four meetings in every cycle. Each cycle consisted of planning, implementing,
observing and reflecting.
There are two types of data in the research, namely the numerical and non
numerical data which were collected by observation, interview, questionnaire, and
test. The numerical data was analyzed using comparative analysis, finding out the
mean of the scores in the test and the significant improvement of the scores using
t-test of non-independent variable. The non-numerical data were analyzed using
Constant-comparative technique proposed by Strauss and Glasser consisting of
the following steps: (1) comparing incidents applicable to each category; (2)
integrating categories and their properties; (3) delimiting the theory; and (4)
writing the theory.
The results of the study showed that: (1) Project Work can improve
students speaking ability‘ in terms of: (a) raising achievement in speaking, (b)
improving students‘ ability to express ideas using new vocabulary and
grammatical form, (c) improving students‘ ability to answer questions, (d)
improving; (2) Project work can improve the teaching-learning process, in terms
of, (a) creating live teaching atmosphere, (b) increasing students‘ participation, (c)
improving students‘ interest, motivation and self-confidence and (3) Project work
has strength and weaknesses. The strengths: (a) It was beneficial to improve the
students‘ speaking ability and teaching-learning process, (b) It made the students
have a capability in organizing something, such as job description, managing the
time, and designing something (c) project work motivated students to learn from
the environment; while the weaknesses: (a) it is not easy to encourage the students
who do not like English to involve in this activity, (b) the discussion in group
work used the mother tongue, (c) projects needed extra work, (d) monitoring
students will be difficult if the project is done outside the classroom.
Related to the research findings above, the writer wanted to propose some
suggestions for the English teacher in vocational school to apply project work to
teach speaking ability. They should be creative in exploring authentic materials
v
for the teaching materials. The students are suggested to be involved in all steps
for designing the project because their involvement improves their motivation.
The researcher also suggests to other researchers to develop their points which can
be obtained from implementation project work.

MOTTO

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
(PHILIPPIANS 4:13)

Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.
(1 PETER 5:7)

vi
DEDICATION

This thesis is especially dedicated to:

 My beloved husband Djoko Purwoko, who always supports and encourages
me to study at the Graduate School Program.
 My beloved parents, who always motivates me to learn and learn.
 My wonderful children, Adu and Edgar, who always inspire me in every
minute of my life.

vii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The writer would like to thank YESUS CHRIST, The Almighty for the
blessing, health, and inspiration in leading her to complete the thesis.
She realizes that the accomplishment of this thesis would not have run
well without any help from others. She wishes to give her sincerest gratitude and
appreciation to:
1. The Director of the Graduate Programs, Sebelas Maret University, and Dr.
Ngadiso, M.Pd, the Head of English Education of Graduate School, Sebelas
Maret University who have given their permission to conduct the research.
2. Dr. Sujoko, M.A., the first consultant, and Drs. Heribertus Tarjana, M.A., the
second consultant, who have given their guidance theoretically, practically,
and personally in conducting the research.
3. The Headmaster of SMK Negeri 2 Surakarta who has given his permission to
study and to conduct this research in the school.
4. Her beloved husband, her parent, and her children who always give her spirit
to finish this thesis.
5. Her collaborators, Ibu Arni Fera Sinatra and Ibu Hartini, who always help her
to conduct this research.
Finally, the writer would like to express her deep gratitude to those who
have helped her so that she can accomplish this thesis. She really thanks so much
to each of them.
viii
She realizes that this thesis is still far from being perfect. That is why she
always expects criticisms and suggestions from the readers and users in order to
make improvement. However, the writer hopes that this thesis can be useful for
other writers, teachers and, especially, students.
Surakarta, August , 2009
ESM
ix
TABLE OF CONTENT
COVER PAGE…………………………………………………………… i
APPROVAL PAGE ……………………………………………………… ii
LEGITIMATION PAGE ………………………………………………… iii
PRONUNCEMENT……………………………………………………… iv
ABSTRACT……………………………………………………………… v
MOTTO………………………………………………………………….. vi
DEDICATION…………………………………………………………… vii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT……………………………………………….. viii
TABLE OF CONTENT………………………………………………….. x
LIST OF TABLES …………………………………………………...….. xii
LIST OF APPENDICES ………………………………………………... xiii
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ……………………………………… 1
A. The Background of the Research ……………………. 1
B. The Problem of the Research……………………… 6
C. The Objectives of the Research……………………….. 7
D. The Benefit of the Research……………………………. 7
CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE………………. 9
A. Review of Related Literature ………………………….. 9
1. Speaking …………………………………………... 9
2. Teaching Speaking ………………………………... 14
3. Project Work………………………………. 29
B. Rationale ……………………………………………….. 37
C. Action Hypothesis……………………………………… 39
CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHODOLOGY………………………. 40
A. The Setting of the Research ………………………....... 40
B. The Subject of the Research ………………………….. 41
C. The Method of the Research ………………………….. 42
D. The Procedure of the Research ……………………… 43
E. Technique of Collecting Data …………………….. 46
F. Technique of Analyzing Data 47
x