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IMPROVING STUDENTS’ SPEAKING ABILITY USING INFORMATION GAP ACTIVITIES (A Classroom Action Research at X Grade of SMA Triguna Utama Ciputat) A Skripsi Presented to the Faculty of Tarbiya and Teaching Sciences in Partial of Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Strata 1 (Bachelor of Arts) in English Education Department By: RHOHMATILLAH NIM: 106014000342 ENGLISH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FACULTY OF TARBIYA AND TEACHING SCIENCES STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY SYARIF HIDAYATULLAH JAKARTA 2010

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Page 1: IMPROVING STUDENTS’ SPEAKING ABILITY USING INFORMATION …

IMPROVING STUDENTS’ SPEAKING ABILITY USING

INFORMATION GAP ACTIVITIES

(A Classroom Action Research at X Grade of SMA Triguna Utama Ciputat)

A Skripsi

Presented to the Faculty of Tarbiya and Teaching Sciences in Partial of

Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Strata 1 (Bachelor of Arts) in

English Education Department

By:

RHOHMATILLAH

NIM: 106014000342

ENGLISH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

FACULTY OF TARBIYA AND TEACHING SCIENCES

STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY

SYARIF HIDAYATULLAH

JAKARTA

2010

Page 2: IMPROVING STUDENTS’ SPEAKING ABILITY USING INFORMATION …

APPROVAL

IMPROVING STUDENTS’ SPEAKING ABILITY USING

INFORMATION GAP ACTIVITIES

(A Classroom Action Research at X Grade of SMA Triguna Utama Ciputat)

A Skripsi

Presented to the Faculty of Tarbiya and Teaching Sciences in Partial of

Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Strata 1 (Bachelor of Arts) in

English Education Department

by:

Rhohmatillah

NIM: 106014000342

Approved by

Advisor

Dr. Fahriany, M. Pd

NIP: 197006111991012001

ENGLISH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

FACULTY OF TARBIYA AND TEACHING SCIENCES

STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY

SYARIF HIDAYATULLAH

JAKARTA

2010

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ENDORSEMENT SHEET

The Examination Committee of the Faculty of Tarbiya and Teacher’s Training Certifies that the “Skripsi” (Scientific Paper) entitled “Improving Students’ Speaking Ability using Information Gap Activities (A Classroom Action Research at X Grade of SMA Triguna Utama Ciputat)”, written by Rhohmatillah, student’s registration number 106014000342 was examined by the committee on August 6th, 2010, and was declared to have passed and, therefore, fulfilled one of the requirements for the academic title ‘S.Pd’, (Bachelor of Arts) in English Language Education at the Department of English Education Jakarta, August 3rd, 2010

EXAMINATION COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN : Drs. Syauki, M.Pd ( ) NIP. 1964121 199103 1 002 SECRETARY : Neneng Sunengsih, S. Pd ( ) NIP. 19730625199903v 2 001 EXAMINERS : 1. Dr. H. Atiq Susilo, MA ( ) NIP. 1949112 219780 3 100 2. Nida Husna, M. Tesol ( ) NIP. 19720705 200312 2 002

Acknowledged by: Dean of Tarbiya and Teaching Sciences

Prof. Dr. Dede Rosyada, MA NIP. 19571005 198703 1 003

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ABSTRACT Rhohmatillah, “Improving Students’ Speaking Ability Using Information Gap

Activities (A Classroom Action Research at X Grade of SMA Triguna Utama Ciputat)”. Skripsi, English Education Department, Faculty of Tarbiya and Teaching Sciences, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta, 2010.

This research is conducted in order to improve students’ speaking ability through information gap activities at X grade of SMA Triguna Utama Ciputat and also to help the English teacher of X grade of SMA Triguna Utama Ciputat in managing classroom activities communicatively, so that it will encourage the students to speak English. In conducting this research, the researcher used Classroom Action Research (CAR) as the method of research. She taught English speaking using information gap activities at X grade of SMA Triguna Utama. This research consisted of three cycles and each cycle consisted of four elements, they were: planning, action, observation and reflection. Each cycle was conducted in three meetings, so the researcher conducted this research in nine meetings for one month and three weeks. To collect and analyze the data, the researcher used the information from interview, observation, questioner, and the students’ achievements in pre-test and post-test in order to support the data collected. The result of this research shows that using information gap activities in teaching speaking at X grade of SMA Triguna Utama can motivate the students to speak English and improve their speaking ability. The students’ responses showed that they were interested to learn English speaking because they thought that the activities were interesting. Moreover, the students’ achievements in pre-test and post-test which are analyzed by using the method of speaking assessment stated by Arthur Hughos showed a significant improvement. The students’ average score in pre-test was 62. 6 and the average score in post-test was 70. 9, while the improvement of students’ average score in pre-test and post-test was 8. 2. From this result, the researcher concluded that teaching speaking using information activities at X grade of SMA Triguna Utama can improve students’ speaking ability. Key Words: Speaking Ability, Information Gap Activities

i

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ABSTRAK Rhohmatillah, “Improving Students’ Speaking Ability Using Information Gap

Activities (A Classroom Action Research at X Grade of SMA Triguna Utama Ciputat)”. Skripsi, Jurusan Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, Fakultas Tarbiyah dan Ilmu Keguruan, Universitas Islam Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, 2010.

Penelitian ini dilaksanakan untuk meningkatkan kemampuan berbicara siswa melalui metode information gap activities di kelas X SMA Triguna Utama Ciputat dan juga untuk membantu guru bahasa Inggris kelas X SMA Triguna Utama Ciputat dalam mengelola kegiatan kelas yang komunikatif agar dapat mendorong siswa untuk berbicara bahasa Inggris. Dalam melaksanakan penelitian ini, peneliti menggunakan Penelitian Tindakan Kelas (PTK) sebagai metode penelitian. Peneliti dan guru bahasa Inggris berkolaborasi dalam mengajar berbicara bahasa Inggris dengan menggunakan metode information gap activities di kelas X SMA Triguna Utama. Penelitian ini terdiri dari tiga siklus dan tiap siklus terdiri dari empat unsur, yaitu: perencanaan, pelaksanaan, observasi dan refleksi. Setiap siklus terdiri dari tiga tatap muka. Peneliti melaksanakan penelitian ini dalam sembilan tatap muka selama satu bulan tiga minggu. Untuk mengumpulkan dan menganalisa data, peneliti menggunakan informasi dari wawancara, observasi, angket dan untuk mendukung data peneliti juga melaksanakan pre-test dan post-test. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa penggunaan information gap activities dalam mengajar berbicara bahasa Inggris di kelas X SMA Triguna Utama dapat memotivasi siswa untuk berbicara bahasa Inggris dan meningkatkan kemampuan mereka dalam berbicara bahasa Inggris. Respon dari siswa menunjukkan bahwa mereka tertarik untuk belajar berbicara bahasa Inggris karena menurut mereka kegiatan yang digunakan menarik. Di samping itu, pencapaian siswa dalam pre-test dan post-test yang dianalisa dengan menggunakan metode penilaian kemampuan berbicara menurut Arthur Hughes menunjukkan peningkatan yang signifikan. Nilai rata-rata siswa pada pre-test adalah 62, 6 dan nilai rata-rata pada post-test adalah 70, 9, sementara peningkatan nilai rata-rata pada pre-test dan post-test adalah 8, 2. Dari hasil ini, peneliti menyimpulkan bahwa pengajaran speaking dengan menggunakan information gap activities di kelas X SMA Triguna Utama dapat meningkatkan kemampuan berbicara siswa. Kata Kunci: Kemampuan Berbicara, Information Gap Activities

ii

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

In the name of Allah, The Beneficent, The Merciful.

Praise be to Allah, The Lord of the world, who gives the writer guidance

and strength, so she could finish this scientific paper (skripsi). Peace and blessing

be upon our prophet Muhammad SAW, his family, his companions and his

followers.

This skripsi is presented to the English Education Department of Tarbiya

and Teaching Sciences Faculty of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta as a partial

fulfillment of the requirements for Strata 1 (S1). This research could not be

completed without a great deal of help of many people, especially Dr. Fahriany,

M. Pd, as her advisor who has patiently given valuable advice and guidance to

finish this research paper.

Her gratitude also goes to those who helped her in finishing her work,

among others:

1. Prof. Dr. H. Dede Rosyada, MA, as the Dean of Faculty of Tarbiya and

Teaching Sciences of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta

2. Drs. Syauki, M.Pd, as the head of English Education Department of UIN

Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta.

3. Mrs. Neneng Sunengsih, S.Pd, the secretary of English Education Department

of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta

4. All lecturers in English Education Department who have taught and educated

the writer so she knows many things.

5. Mr. Sajiko, S. Pd as the headmaster of SMA Triguna Utama Ciputat who has

allowed the writer to conduct this research in SMA Triguna Utama Ciputat,

and All teachers and administration staffs of SMA Triguna Utama who have

helped and supported the writer in finishing this research.

6. Mrs. Burdah, M. Pd, the English teacher of SMA Triguna Utama who has

given her ideas and times and also has guided, advised, and supported the

writer in the process of doing this research.

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7. Her best gratitude to her beloved parents, Mr. Zulkarnain Nasution and Mrs.

Zaida, B.A, and her beloved brother Ihsan Badroni Nasution, who always

give supports, motivations and moral encouragements to finish this research

paper. Thanks a lot for all your supports and prays to her. She is nothing

without you.

8. Her best friend, Ummi Kalsum, who has given her times to help the writer in

finishing this research paper.

9. H. Mukhlis Mubarrok Dalimunthe, Lc, M.SI, her fiancée, thank you for your

support, your help and your patient so that the writer can finish this research

paper on time.

10. Her friends in English Education Department whose names are cannot be

mentioned one by one (thank you for being my best friends in happiness and

sadness).

11. Her friends in IKAPDH Jakarta (Ikatan Keluarga Alumni Pondok Pesantren

Darel Hikmah Pekanbaru Jakarta) and SEMARI Banten (Serumpun

Mahasiswa Riau).

The writer realizes that this paper is far from being perfect. Therefore, the

writer expects some suggestions and critics for this paper. At last, the writer hopes

that this research paper will be useful for all.

Jakarta, June 23rd, 2010

The writer

iii

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TABLE OF CONTENT

The Approval Sheet of Advisor

The Endorsement Sheet of Examination Committee

Abstract…………………………………………………………………….. i

Acknowledgement…………………………………………………………. iii

Table of Content………………………………………………………….... v

List of Tables………………………………………………………………. viii

List of Figures……………………………………………………………… ix

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION

A. Background of Study………………...…………………………... 1

B. Limitation and Formulation of Study…...………………………... 5

C. The Objective of Study…………………………...………………. 5

D. The Significance of Study……………………………………..…. 5

CHAPTER II THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

A. Teaching Speaking………………………………………...……… 6

1. The Nature of Speaking ……………………………………..... 6

2. Element of Speaking ………………………………………….. 7

3. The Aim of Teaching Speaking …………………………...….. 8

4. Classroom Speaking Activities……………………………...… 10

B. Information Gap Activities ……...……………………………….. 12

1. The Nature of Information Gap Activities ……………………. 12

2. Speaking Activities Based on Information Gap Principle….......14

CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

A. The Aim of Study…………..…………………………………… 17

B. Research Location……..…………………………………………. 17

C. Subject of Study…..……………………………………………... 17

v

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D. Research Instrument…………………..…………………………. 17

E. Technique of Data Collecting…….……………………………..... 18

F. Technique of Data Analysis…….……………………………….... 21

G. Action Procedure…………….………………………………….. 22

1. Cycle I…………...………………………………………...... 24

2. Cycle 2………………………………………………………. 25

3. Cycle 3………………………………………………………. 26

CHAPTER IV RESEARCH FINDINGS

A. Description of Data …………………..…………………………... 28

1. Data of Observation…………………………………………… 28

2. Data of Interview……………………………………………… 29

a. Data of Interview with English Teacher of X Grade of SMA

Triguna Utama Ciputat……………………………………... 29

b. Data of Interviews with Students of X Grade of SMA

Triguna Utama Ciputat…………………………………….. 30

3. The Implementation of Information Gap Activities in

Teaching Speaking….………………………………………..... 31

4. The Improvement of Students’ Speaking Achievements...…..... 47

5. Students’ Responses on the Implementation of Teaching

Speaking by Using Information Gap Activities .…………….... 54

B. Interpretation of Data …….………………………………………. 57

1. Data of Observation…………………………………………… 57

2. Data of Interview…………………………………………..….. 57

3. The Implementation of Information Gap Activities to Improve

Students’ Speaking Ability……………………………………. 58

4. Students’ Achievements in the Tests…………………..………. 59

5. Students’ Responses on the Implementation of Information

Gap Activities……….…………………………………….…... 60

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CHAPTER V CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION

A. Conclusion ……....………………………………………………. 61

B. Suggestion …….…………………………………………………. 61

BIBILOGRAPHY ……………………………………………………….. 63

APPENDICES

A. Lesson Planning …………………………………………………. 65

B. Instruments of Tests ……………………………………………… 72

C. Data of Interviews ……………………………………………….. 74

D. Questioner ……………………………………………………….. 78

E. The Curriculum of Speaking for X Grade of SMA ……………… 84

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LIST OF TABLES

Table 4.3 : The Scores of Speaking pre-test………………………... 48

Table 4.4 : The Scores of Speaking Post-test………………………. 50

Table 4.5 : Standard of Six by Gronlund…………………………… 52

Table 4.6 : The Comparison Scores of Pre-test and Post-test………. 52

viii

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 3.1 : Action Research Cycle………………………………… 22

Figure 3.2 : Action Research Planning……………………………… 23

ix

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CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

A. Background of Study

The emergence of globalization era which has caused no distance

between countries in this world, force people to decide an international language

to overcome the communication problems when people from different countries

with different languages meet in some occasions. Today, the first international

language is English. Therefore, almost all people in this world try to master

English in order to be accepted in this globalization era.

The ever-growing need for good communication skills in English has

created a huge demand for English teaching around the world.1 Millions of people

today want to improve their command of English or to ensure that their children

achieve a good command of English. The opportunities to learn English are

provided in many different ways such as through formal instruction, travel, study

abroad, as well as through the media and the Internet. The worldwide demand for

English has created an enormous demand for quality language teaching and

language teaching materials and resources.

Communication is an essential need for human being. Language as a

means of communication has an important role to reveal an intention to someone

else. Since language is a means of communication, it is not enough for students to

1 Jack C. Richards, Communicative Language Teaching Today, (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006), p.1

1

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learn words, phrases and grammatical features if they want to produce language in

their daily communication or to interact with others in English. Therefore, we

should consider the goal of English teaching today, that is to develop what Hymes

in Jack C. Richard’s referred to as “communicative competence”. Communicative

competence is a definition of what a speaker needs to know in order to be

communicatively competent in a speech community.2

One of the ways in communication is through speaking. Therefore, the

most important thing that should be noticed in teaching speaking is how to

activate all of language elements, such as vocabulary, grammar, and

pronunciation, which students have possessed to communicate, since the main

function of language is a means of communication. It means that the goal for

students learning English speaking is that they are able to use language to

communicate effectively and appropriately for all life’s requirements, both social

and academic. 3 The students have to be able to express their thoughts, ideas, and

feelings orally in English without thinking for a long time before saying what they

wish to say.

Speaking in a second or foreign language has often been viewed as the

most demanding of the four skills.4 Many people today realize that their aims to

study English is to be able to communicate in English, it is suitable with the

theory of language according to communicative approach that is “language as a

means of communication”.

Students often think that the ability to speak a language is the product of

language learning, but speaking is also a crucial part of the language learning

process. Effective teachers teach students speaking strategies that they can use to

help themselves expand their knowledge of the language and their confidence in

using it.

2 Jack C. Richards and Theodore S. Rodgers, Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching A Description and Analysis, (New York: Cambridge University Press, 1994), p. 69.

3 Teresa Walter, Teaching English Language Learners, (New York: Pearson Education,

2004), p. 16. 4 Kathleen M. Baley and Lance Savage, New Ways in Teaching Speaking, (Bloomington:

Pantagraph, 1994), p. vii

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The frequency in using the language will determine the success in

speaking ability. Therefore, teacher should create a teaching strategy that

stimulates and motivates student to talk in English. Since English in Indonesia is a

foreign language, so the most comfortable place for the students to speak English

is in the classroom. There are three main reasons for getting students to speak in

the classroom. Firstly, speaking activities provide rehearsal opportunities –

chances to practice real-life speaking in the safety of the classroom. Secondly,

speaking tasks in which students try to use any or all of the language elements

they know to provide feedback for both teacher and students. Finally, this is also

the opportunities for the students to activate the various elements of language they

have stored in their brains.5 Unfortunately, this condition rarely occurs to the

students of X grade of SMA Triguna Utama Ciputat.

In teaching speaking at X grade of SMA Triguna Utama, the teacher

teaches the students traditionally. The teacher asks the students to read a dialogue

in the textbook together. Then, the teacher asks the students to perform that

dialogue in front of the class without asking them to develop a more

communicative dialogue using their own way. So, they only memorize the

dialogue and most of the students do not know how to use some expressions

taught by their teacher in a real communication. This teaching strategy can not

help the students to use language as a means of communication.

This strategy influences the teaching of speaking which cause many

problems. First, it relates to the condition of students who are lack of vocabulary

which will make them unable to say words or sentences in a real communication.

Second, the students get used to speak Indonesian language while the most

comfortable place for the students to speak English is in the classroom, since

English in Indonesia is a foreign language. Fourth, most of the students are not

confident to use English in speaking class. For instance, when the teacher asks

them to come forward to have a conversation with their friends, they refuse it.

5 Jeremy Harmer, How to teach English, (Harlow: Pearson education limited, 2007), p. 123

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They are shy to perform English conversation in front of their friends.

Consequently it makes them uninterested in learning English.

The teacher also has difficulties to teach in large class. The main problem

is the way to manage it. During the teaching hours the teacher should make the

students pay attention to the materials given to them and also to their friends’

performances in front of the class. It needs hard work for getting students

attention without giving them an interesting activity for more than one hour.

Based on the problems above, the writer tries to give a solution for the

teacher to implement an English teaching strategy which can motivate and give

more opportunities for the learner to speak English in the class, that is information

gap activities. This strategy is designed to create students’ interests to learn with

pleasant. In an information gap activity two speakers have different bits of

information, and they can only complete the whole picture by sharing that

information-because they have different information, there is a ‘gap’ between

them.6 Using information gap activities in teaching speaking will encourage the

students to speak and it will activate the various elements of language they have

stored in their brains. Another advantage of information gap activities is that

students are forced to negotiate meaning because they must make what they are

saying comprehensible to others in order to accomplish the task. These types of

activities are extremely effective in the foreign language classroom. They give

every student opportunity to speak in the target language for an extended period of

time and students naturally produce more speech than they would otherwise. In

addition, speaking with peers is less intimidating than presenting in front of the

entire class and being evaluated.

Based on the problems above, it encourages us to think how to manage a

classroom activities to be a communicative class so that the students can

participate actively in the teaching and learning process and then we can achieve

the objective of English learning as stated above, that is “communicative

competence”. So, in presenting this paper the writer will try to study how to

6 Jeremy Harmer, How to teach English, (Harlow: Pearson education limited, 2007), p. 129

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improve student’s speaking ability by using information gap activities at X grade

of SMA Triguna Utama Ciputat.

B. Limitation and Formulation of Problem

1. Limitation of the Problem

The writer limits the study to the implementation of information gap activities

to improve the students’ speaking ability at X grade students of SMA Triguna

Utama Ciputat.

2. Formulation of the Problem

The formulation of this study is: How significant is the students’ speaking

ability better after they are taught using information gap activities?

C. The Objective of the Study

This Classroom Action Research (CAR) is conducted in order to improve

students’ speaking ability at the X grade of SMA Triguna Utama Ciputat through

information gap activities.

D. The Significance of Study

The results of this research is expected to be useful for the English

teacher of SMA Triguna Utama Ciputat especially in teaching speaking, so that

the teacher can manage classroom activities communicatively by using

information gap activities in order to encourage their students to speak or to state

their ideas orally in English. For students themselves, it can motivate them to try

to speak English as often as possible, so that they can improve their ability in

speaking skill.

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CHAPTER II

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

A. Speaking

1. The Nature of Speaking

Speaking is an important instrument of communication. People use it

almost constantly. As human beings, especially as social creature we have a need

to make meaning of our surroundings. We have a need to express our thoughts,

opinions, or feelings in order to be accepted in social life. “Speaking does not only

make sound by the speech organs but ideas and emotions. Speaking is the active

use of language to express meaning so that other people can make sense of them,

therefore, the label of productive use of language can be applied to speaking”.7

While another expert said that speaking is “the process of building and sharing

meaning through the use of verbal and non-verbal symbols, in a variety of

contexts”.8 To express their ideas in foreign language, the learners will use their

existing language resources, built up from previous experience of language use.

The word speaking has many different meanings or definitions on

linguistics’ views. Another definition of speaking is making use of words in an

ordinary voice, offering words, knowing and being able to use a language

7 Lynne Cameron, Teaching Language to Young Learners, (Cambridge: Cambridge

University Press, 2001), p. 40. 8 Hayriye Kayi , Teaching Speaking: Activities to Promote Speaking in a Second

Language. (Nevada: University of Nevada), Internet TESL Journal, Vol. XII, No. 11, November 2006, p. 1. From: http://iteslj.org/ http://iteslj.org/Articles/Kayi-Teaching Speaking.html.

6

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expressing one-self in words, acquired through listening and reading.9 While the

definition of speaking ability is “the ability to produce sentences, to express, to

state, or to deliver thoughts, ideas and feelings. Speaking is human behaviors

which use physics: psychological, neurological, semantic, and linguistic and in

general it can be considered as a tool of social control”. 10

Referring to the definitions above, we may conclude that speaking is

giving oral expression to thoughts, opinions, or feelings in a variety of contexts by

using speech organs that is built up from previous experience of language use.

2. Elements of Speaking

In speaking, it is very important for student to acquire the ability to

express their ideas and opinions. Consequently, this competency should be

mastered by the learners of language. According to Jeremy Harmer, there are two

elements of speaking. First, language features, consists of:

1. Connected speech is the modifying in sounds production or utterances such as assimilation, omission, addition, weakened (through contraction and stress patterning)

2. Expressive devices are the alteration of the speed, volume, and stress of utterances to show the feeling. The use of this device contributes the ability to convey meaning.

3. Lexis and grammar related to the ability to use a number of common lexical phrases, especially in the performance of certain language functions.

4. Negotiation language is the ability to get benefits from the negotiatory language we use to seek clarification and to show the structure of what we are saying.11

The second element of speaking is mental or social processing, consists of:

9 Henry Guntur Taringan, Berbicara Sebagai Suatu Keterampilan Berbahasa, ( Bandung:

Angkasa, 1990) p. 3

10 Maidar G. Arsjad and Mukti U.S., Pembinaan Kemampuan Berbicara, ( Jakarta: Erlangga, 1988), p. 23

11 Jeremy Harmer, The Practice of English Language Teaching. (London: Pearson

Education Limited, 2001), p. 269.

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1. Language processing: the ability to process language in their own heads and put it into coherent order so that it comes out in forms that are not only comprehensible, but also convey the meanings that are intended.

2. Interacting with others. This means that speaking also involves a good deal of listening, and understanding of how the other participants are feeling.

3. Information processing: the ability to process the information the moment we get it. 12

Therefore, the English teacher should consider these elements of

speaking in teaching speaking to their students, so that they will have a good

ability in speaking. Furthermore, as explained by Arthur Hughos that for assessing

spoken English production, teachers have to asses students’ pronunciation,

grammar, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.13 Although his theory does not

mention explicitly about the element of speaking, however the implementation to

assess the spoken English production is dealing with the elements of speaking

itself. Of course grammar and vocabulary here should be based on the curriculum

and students’ expectations.

3. The Aim of Teaching Speaking

Speaking is a crucial part of second language learning and teaching.

Despite its importance, for many years, teaching speaking has been undervalued

and English language teachers have continued to teach speaking just as a

repetition of drills or memorization of dialogues. However, today's world requires

that the goal of teaching speaking should improve students' communicative skills,

because, only in that way, students can express themselves and learn how to

follow the social and cultural rules appropriate in each communicative

circumstance.14

12 Jeremy Harmer……, p. 270.

13 Arthur Hughes, Testing for Language Teachers (2nd Edition), (Cambridge: Cambridge

University Press, 2003), p. 130.

14 Hayriye Kayi , Teaching Speaking: Activities to Promote Speaking in a Second Language, (Nevada: University of Nevada, Internet TESL Journal, Vol. XII, No. 11, November

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One of the characteristics of speech in everyday life is that speech is

spontaneous. That is, in most situations, people do not plan ahead of time what

they are going to say. Only in more formal situations, such as when a person has

been asked to give a speech, do people plan and organize their speech.15 The fact

that speech is spontaneous means that it is full of false starts, repetitions,

incomplete sentences, and short phrases. Therefore, teachers may require their

students to do more forward-thinking and planning than native speakers do in real

life. Another aspect of producing spoken language is the time-constraint. The

students must be able to produce unplanned utterances in real time, otherwise

people will not have the patience to listen to them.

Based on the facts explained above, we should consider the goal of

English teaching today, that is to develop “communicative competence” rather

than a mere mastery of structures, vocabulary items, or pronunciation.

Communicative competence is the aspect of our competence that enables us to

convey and interpret messages and to negotiate meanings interpersonally within

specific contexts.16

4. Classroom Speaking Activities

Most English teachers face the problem of having passive students who

show no willingness to speak in class, or students who seem interested enough to

speak but find it difficult to express themselves.

Traditional classroom speaking practice often takes the form of drills in

which one person asks a question and another gives an answer. The question and

the answer are structured and predictable, and often there is only one correct,

predetermined answer. The purpose of asking and answering the question is to

2006), p. 1. From: http://iteslj.org/ http://iteslj.org/Articles/Kayi-Teaching Speaking.html.

15 Jack C. Richards, Teaching Listening and Speaking from Theory to Practice,

(Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008), p. 21. 16 H. Douglas Brown, Principles in Language Learning and Teaching, (New York:

Pearson Education, 2000), p. 246.

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demonstrate the ability to ask and answer the question.

In contrast, the purpose of real communication is to accomplish a task,

such as conveying a telephone message, obtaining information, or expressing an

opinion. In real communication, participants must manage uncertainty about what

the other person will say. Authentic communication involves an information gap;

each participant has information that the other does not have. In addition, to

achieve their purpose, participants may have to clarify their meaning or ask for

confirmation of their own understanding.17

To create classroom speaking activities that will develop communicative

competence, which is the aim of teaching speaking as explained above, instructors

need to incorporate a purpose and an information gap and allow for multiple

forms of expression.18 Therefore, the teacher should provide students with

communicative activities in which the student can engage actively in teaching and

learning process.

They must use the target language to share some information. For

instance, one student has the direction to a party and must give them to a

classmate. One type of speaking activity involves the so-called ‘information gap’-

where two speakers have different parts of information making up a whole.

Because they have different information, there is a ‘gap’ between them.

Speaking activities which can improve students’ speaking competence as

suggested by Richards19 are:

1. Information-gap activities: this refers to the fact that in real communication,

people normally communicate in order to get information they do not

possess. In this activity, each student has different information and they

17 Gillian Brown and George Yule. Teaching the Spoken Language, (Cambridge:

Cambridge University Press, 1999), p. 13.

18 Developing Speaking Activities, http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/teaching/esl/speaking.cfm

19 Jack C. Richards, Communicative Language Teaching Today, (New York: Cambridge University Press: 2006), pp. 19-20.

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need to obtain information from each other in order to finish a task. They

must use target language to accomplish it.

2. Jigsaw activities: these are also based on the information-gap principle.

Typically, the class is divided into groups and each group has part of the

information needed to complete an activity. The class must fit the pieces

together to complete the whole. In so doing, they must use their language

resources to communicate meaningfully and so take part in meaningful

communication practice.

3. Task-completion activities: puzzles, games, map-reading, and other kinds of

classroom tasks in which the focus is on using one’s language resources to

complete a task.

4. Information-gathering activities: student-conducted surveys, interviews, and

searches in which students are required to use their linguistic resources to

collect information.

5. Opinion-sharing activities: activities in which students compare values,

opinions, or beliefs, such as a ranking task in which students list six

qualities in order of importance that they might consider in choosing a date

or spouse.

6. Information-transfer activities: These require learners to take information

that is presented in one form, and represent it in a different form. For

example, they may read instructions on how to get from A to B, and then

draw a map showing the sequence, or they may read information about a

subject and then represent it as a graph.

7. Reasoning-gap activities: These involve deriving some new information

from given information through the process of inference, practical

reasoning, etc.

8. Role plays: activities in which students are assigned roles and improvise a

scene or exchange based on given information or clues.

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B. Information Gap Activities

1. The Nature of Information Gap Activities

Information gap activity is an activity which is based on information-gap

principle that in real communication people normally communicate in order to get

information they do not possess.20 Real communication is likely to occur in the

classroom if students practice language forms on their own way and use their

linguistic and communicative resources in order to express their ideas. In so

doing, they will get available vocabulary, grammar, and communication strategies

to complete a task.

Another definition of information gap activity is an activity where two

speakers have different bits of information, and they can only complete the whole

picture by sharing that information-because they have different information, there

is a ‘gap’ between them.21 In an information gap activity one person has

information that the other lacks. They must use the target language to share that

information. For instance, one student has the directions to a party and must give

them to a classmate.

Information gap exists when one person in an exchange knows something

to other person does not.22 Therefore, if we create an activity based on this

statement, the activity is in the form that the students work in pair or in group and

each student has different information and they have to share each other’s

information in order to complete a task.

Referring to the definition above, we can conclude that the principles of

information gap activities are that each student has different information and they

need to obtain information from each other in order to finish a task. They must use

target language to accomplish it.

20 Jack C. Richards, …….., p. 19 21 Jeremy Harmer, How to teach English, (Harlow: Pearson education limited, 2007), p.

129. 22 Diane Larsen Freeman, Techniques and Principles in Language Teaching, (New Yor:

Oxford University Press, 2000), p. 129.

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For information gap activities to work, it is vitally important that students

understand the details of the task (for example, that they should not show each

other pictures).23 It is often a good idea for teachers to demonstrate how an

activity works by asking a student to come to front of the class and performing the

activity with the teacher, so that everyone can see exactly how to do the activity.

Many English learners cannot say what they wish to say in English, even

though they had years of English learning. Therefore, we need to actively engage

students in speaking activities that are enjoyable and that are based on a more

communicative competence as the goal of teaching speaking. One of the

challenges faced by many second language-teachers is motivating their students to

speak in the target language, confident students always participate and students

who are less confident are reluctant to speak. Even when students speak in the

target language, they are usually answering a question and this approach greatly

limits students output. Oral presentations provide opportunities for students to

speak in the target language for an extended period of time and these activities are

useful, but they should not be the only opportunities, students have to speak at

length. Because students prepare for this presentation by writing a script and then

rehearsing it, they have difficulty to speak in the target language spontaneously

because they only have a little opportunity to do so. When students choose to

learn a language, they are interested in learning to speak that language as fluently

as possible. One solution is by using information gap activities.

These types of activities are extremely effective in the L2 classroom. They

give every student the opportunity to speak in the target language for an extended

period of time and students naturally produce more speech than they would

otherwise. In addition, They can help to reduce such fears by maintaining a friendly

atmosphere in the class and providing opportunities for students to practice alone or

with another student and then increasingly with a larger group of students.24 Thus,

23 Keith S. Folse, The Art of Teaching Speaking, (Michigan: The University of

Michigan Press, 2006), p. 95. 24 Rudy Wallace, et–al, Teaching speaking, listening and writing, (Geneva: International

Bureau of Education, 2004), p. 12. From: http://www.ibe.unesco.org.

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students can practice speaking in front of their peers who face the same situation.

Speaking with peers is less intimidating than presenting in front of the entire class

and being evaluated. Another advantage of information gap activities is that

students are forced to negotiate meaning because they must make what they are

saying comprehensible to others in order to accomplish the task.

2. Speaking Activities Based on Information Gap Activities

The teacher should design the speaking activity so as to provide an

opportunity for learners to produce language that they had recently learnt (e.g.

through open or cued dialogues) in order to prepare the learner for later

communicative activity by providing them with the necessary linguistic forms and

the necessary links between forms and meanings.

The principle underlying communicative activities is that the teacher

structures the situation so that learners have to overcome an information gap or

solve a problem. Speaking activities based on information gap principle can be

divided in to some categories,25 those are:

1. Identifying pictures: learner A has a set of four, five or six pictures which are

very similar in content, but contain a number of distinguishing features.

Learner B has a copy of these pictures. Learner A must find out which of the

pictures learner B is holding, by asking him questions about it.

2. Discovering Identical pairs: in this activity the students work in group, for

instance one group consists of five students. Four pictures are given among

four students and the fifth learner in the group holds a duplicate of one of

these pictures. He must ask the others to discover which learner has the

picture identical to his own.

3. Discovering sequences or locations: learner A has a set of six patterns. These

are arranged into a sequence from one to six. Learner B has the same set of

25 William Littlewood, Communicative Language Teaching, (Cambridge: Cambridge

University Press, 2006), pp. 40-43.

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patterns, but these are not in sequence. Learner B must discover the sequence

of A’s pictures and arrange his pictures in the same way.

4. Discovering missing information or features: learner A has information

represented in tabular or picture form. However, some items of information

have been deleted from the table or picture. Learner B has an identical table

or picture, but different items of information have been deleted. Each learner

can complete his own table or picture by asking his partner for the

information that he lacks.

5. Communicating patterns and pictures: learner A has an assortment of shapes

which he arranges into a pattern. Learner B has the same shapes. They must

communicate each other so that B can reproduce as exactly as possible the

same pattern as A.

6. Discovering differences: learner A and B each have a picture (or map,

patter, etc). The pictures are identical except for a number of details. The

learner must discuss the pictures in order to discover what the differences are.

7. Following directions: learner A and B have identical maps. Only A knows

the exact location of some building or other features. He must direct B to the

correct spot.

8. Pooling information to solve a problem: learners have to pool information in

order to solve a problem. For instance, learner A has a town plan showing the

location of interesting places. Learner B has a list of a bus timetable. Together

they must devise an itinerary which would enable them to visit, say, five

places during one ay, spending at least half an hour at each.

9. Reconstructing story-sequences: a picture-script story (without dialogue) is

cut up into its separate pictures. One picture is handed to each member of a

group. Without seeing each other’s pictures, the learners in the group must

decide on the original sequence and reconstruct the story.

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CHAPTER III

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

A. The Aim of Study

The aim of this research is to know how to improve students’ speaking

ability by using information-gap activities at X grade of SMA Triguna Utama

Ciputat. The writer hopes it will give a pleasant activity for students, so it will

motivate them to speak English.

B. Place and Time of Study

This research took place at SMA Triguna Utama that is located in Jl. Ir. H.

Juanda, KM. 2, Ciputat, South Tangerang, Banten. The writer conducted this

research for one month and three weeks. It began from March 31st, 2010 until May

20th, 2010.

C. Subject of Study

The subject of this research is X grade students of SMA Triguna Utama

Ciputat in 2009/2010 Academic Year. There are 40 students in X grade.

D. Research Instrument

The research instruments used in order to complete the data needed

include observation, documents of teaching-learning process, interview and

questioner. In order to support the data of teaching and learning process, pre- test

and post-test were conducted in order to know how the students’ scores better

after they are taught using information gap activities.

17

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E. Technique of Data Collecting

There are three techniques of data collecting applied in this study, they are

observation, interview, questioner and test in order to support the data of teaching

and learning process.

1. Observation

The writer did the observation directly toward English teaching and

learning-process in X grade of SMA Triguna Utama Ciputat 2009/2010 Academic

Year. In speaking lesson, the writer observed students’ speaking skills, such as;

pronunciation, vocabulary,grammar and their braveries in speaking lesson.

2. Interview

One of the ways to get deep and more information in the classroom is by

using interview. The writer interviewed the English teacher and the students of X

grade of SMA Triguna Utama Ciputat. The interview was conducted structurally

by using interview guide and it was conducted once in a week after the teaching

and learning process has finished. The interview was about problem in speaking

lesson before and after using information gap activities in speaking lesson.

3. Questioner

The questioner was given to the students of X grade of SMA Triguna

Utama Ciputat in order to know their responds toward the process of teaching and

learning speaking by using information gap activities and also about their

motivations and problems in learning English speaking before and after they were

taught using information gap activities.

4. Test

The test is used to compare students’ speaking achievements before

conducting the research and after conducting the research. The form of the test

can be grouped into three forms, namely: oral, written, and behavior form. In this

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research, the writer conducted an oral test. The test used is based on the activity

based on information gap principle as explained in chapter 2.

Giving score of the speaking test is the most challenging of all language

exams. That is why many people do not even try to measure the speaking skill.

According to Arthur Hughes, there are five components to analyze of the speech

process such as pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, fluency, and

comprehension.26

In order to give score to the students’ ability in the five aspects mentioned

above, the writer used the ‘Proficiency Descriptions’ stated by Arthur Hughes in

his book.27 The proficiency descriptions are:

Pronunciation 1. Pronunciation frequently unintelligible. 2. Frequent gross errors and a very heavy accent make understanding

difficult, require frequent repetition. 3. “Foreign accent” requires concentrated listening, and mispronunciation

lead to occasional misunderstanding and apparent errors in grammar or vocabulary.

4. Marked “foreign accent” and occasional mispronunciations which do not interfere with understanding.

5. No conspicuous mispronunciations, but would not be taken for a native speaker.

6. Native pronunciation, with no trace of “foreign accent”. Grammar 1. Grammar almost entirely inaccurate except in stock phrases. 2. Constant errors showing control of very few major patterns and

frequently preventing communication. 3. Frequent errors showing some major patterns uncontrolled and causing

occasional irritation and misunderstanding. 4. Occasional errors showing imperfect control of some patterns but no

weakness that causes misunderstanding 5. Few errors, with no patterns of failure. 6. No more than two errors during the interview.

26 Arthur Hughes, Testing for Language Teachers (2nd Edition), (Cambridge: Cambridge

University Press, 2003), p. 130. 27. Arthur Hughes ……, p. 131.

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Vocabulary 1. Vocabulary inadequate for even the simplest conversation. 2. Vocabulary limited to basic personal and survival areas. 3. Choice of words sometimes inaccurate, limitations of vocabulary prevent

discussion of some common professional and social topic. 4. Professional vocabulary adequate to discuss special interests; general

vocabulary permits discussion of any non-technical subject with some circumlocutions.

5. Professional vocabulary broad and precise; general vocabulary adequate to cope with complex practical problems and varied social situations.

6. Vocabulary apparently as accurate and extensive as that of an educated native speaker.

Fluency 1. Speech is so halting and fragmentary that conversation is virtually

impossible. 2. Speech is very slow and uneven except for short or routine sentences. 3. Speech is frequently hesitant; sentences may be left uncompleted. 4. Speech is occasionally hesitant, with some unevenness caused by

rephrasing and grouping of words. 5. Speech is effortless and smooth, but perceptively non-native in speed and

evenness. 6. Speech on all professional and general topics as effortless and smooth as

a native speaker’s. Comprehension 1. Understands too little for the simplest type of conversation. 2. Understand only slow, very simple speech on common social and

touristic topics; requires constant repetition and rephrasing. 3. Understands careful, somewhat simplified speech when engaged in a

dialogue, but may require occasional repetition and rephrasing. 4. Understands quite well normal educated speech when engaged in a

dialogue, but requires occasional repetition and rephrasing. 5. Understands everything in normal educated conversation except for very

colloquial or low-frequency items, or exceptionally rapid or slurred speech.

6. Understands everything in both formal and colloquial speech to be expected of an educated native speaker.

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F. Technique of Data Analysis

The writer conducted this classroom action research collaboratively with

the English teacher of X grade of SMA Triguna Utama Ciputat. The data collected

were analyzed in some ways as shown below28:

a. Reducing the data

This is the first component in analyzing the data that contains selecting

processing, focusing, and summarizing the data from field notes. In this step, the

writer selected, limited, and summarized the data from the implementation of

teaching speaking using information gap technique.

b. Displaying the data

The second step of analyzing the data is describing the data in narrative

which the research conclusion will be possible to be done. In this step, the writer

described the result of the research which is described in systematic and logic

sentence, therefore the result is understandable. The form of displaying is not

always in the sentences, but it can also be displayed in table form which supports

the narrative data.

c. Drawing Conclusion

The last step is the writer made conclusion of the research. Then the

writer also verified the conclusion. The technique is by discussing the research

conclusion with the collaborator of the research. This step is very important to be

done in order to get a good research conclusion.

28 Miles and Huberman, Research in Education, ( New Delhi: Prentice Hall, 1984), p. 170

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G. Action Procedures

In this Classroom Action Research (CAR), the writer used the CAR

principle to collect the data. This research consisted of three cycles and each cycle

consisted of four elements. The writer described the cycles through the scheme of

action research designed by Kemmis and Mc Taggart as follows:

Figure 3.1

Action Research Cycle (Adapted from Suharsimi Arikunto, 2006)29

29 Suharsimi Arikunto, Prosedur Penelitian Suatu Pendekatan Praktik, (Jakarta: Rineka Cipta, 2006), p.93.

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A plan for action was being established, as detailed in figure below:

Figure 3.2

Action Research Planning

- Ask students’ responses - Observe the class while students

are practicing

- Give expressions and vocabularies needed

- Explain the instruction for practicing - Practice (sharing information with

restricted cooperation - Students Perform in front of class

- Make lesson planning - Choose suitable topic and teaching aids - Develop evaluation form for students.

- Evaluate teaching and learning process

- Analyze students’ achievement - Revise the action planning for the

next cycle

- Identify the problem in cycle 1 - Revise the lesson plan - Reselect the topic and teaching aid

which will motivate students

- Give an example of related conversation - Practice an information gap activity

(sharing information with unrestricted cooperation)

- Perform in front of the class

- Analyze students’ achievement - Discuss with the English teacher - Evaluate action 2

- Observe students’ participation. - Observe students’ achievement

- Strengthen students’ motivation to speak English

- Develop the activities toward spontaneous speak.

- Group work ( sharing and processing information)

- Discuss and evaluate a group decision to the whole class

- Analyze students’ progress in speaking English based on their score in the test.

- Observe students’ achievement in group work

Plan

Plan

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Cycle I

a. Planning

In this phase, the writer makes the lesson plan and then chooses the

topics and teaching aids to imply the information gap activities. In this phase, the

writer uses dialogues, short paragraphs, list of related expressions and vocabulary

items, draw material and other things used in information gap activities. The

writer also makes the evaluation form to know about students’ achievements at

the end of this cycle.

b. Action

The writer gives an example of conversation and also some related

vocabulary items needed when students are engaged in an information gap

activity, that is sharing information with restricted cooperation. Then, the writer

asks the students to work in pairs with their partners. For instance, learner A has a

set of four, five or six pictures which are all very similar in content, but contain a

number of distinguishing features. Learner B has a duplicate copy just one of

these pictures. Learner A must find out which of the pictures learner B is holding,

by asking him questions about it. If student A has found the picture held by

student B, now it is student B’s turn to act like student A to find out which picture

is held by student A. At the end of the meeting, the writer calls the students two

by two to perform as what they have practiced in front of the class.

c. Observation

In this phase, the writer observes the students’ responses, participations,

and achievements which are found during the teaching and learning process.

Sometimes, the writer also asks some students’ opinions about the process of

teaching and learning using information gap activities.

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d. Reflection

After collecting the data, the writer analyzes the data of teaching-

learning process. Then, the writer reflects herself by seeing the result of the

observation, whether the teaching learning process of speaking using information

gap activity is good to imply in teaching learning process at X grade students of

SMA Triguna Utama Ciputat or not. If the first plan is unsuccessful, proven by

students’ achievements, the writer will make the next plan (replanning) to solve

students’ problems and also to get a better result.

Cycle 2 a. Planning

After identifying the problems found in cycle 1, the writer will revise the

lesson plan and reselect the topics and teaching aids to motivate students, so that

they will get a better achievement in speaking.

b. Action

The writer gives an example of conversation to prepare students for

practicing information gap activities (sharing information with unrestricted

cooperation). For instance, the writer asks students to work in pairs with their

partners. Student A has a set of 7 pictures. These are arranged into a sequence

from one to seven by himself. Learner B has the same set of pictures, but these are

not in sequence. Learner B must discover the sequence of A’s pictures and

arrange his own in the same way as A’s. The writer tells them that they may not

see each other’s pictures, the only way they can do is describing their pictures to

each other and speculating on how they are arranged. If student B has found the

way student A arranged the picture, now it is student A’s turn to act like student B

to find out how student B arrange his pictures.

At the end of the meeting, the writer calls the students’ names three by

three, for instance namely student A, student B, and student C. Then, the writer

gives them a set of 6 patterns. Student A arranges the patterns in his way, and

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student B and C have to describe and ask student A in order to arrange their

pictures as A’s.

c. Observation

In this phase, the writer observes the students’ responses, participations,

and achievements which are found during the teaching and learning process. The

writer uses photography and also video for several times to collect the data.

d. Reflection

In this phase, the writer evaluates students’ progresses in their speaking

ability after taught using information gap activities. The writer will also ask the

English teacher’s opinion about students’ improvements in speaking. Further

more, data reduction will be used to decide a better plan for the next cycle.

Cycle 3 (If needed) a. Planning

In this phase, the writer strengthens students’ motivations to speak

English by creating a lesson plan which will develop students’ speaking ability in

spontaneous situation.

b. Action

The writer uses sharing and processing information activities to engage

students to a more spontaneous speaking activities, so that they will be able to

speak fluently and correctly without thinking for a long time. In this phase,

students will work in group of four or five. At the end of the class, each group will

perform their ideas or decisions of a problem to the whole class and other students

will give their arguments.

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c. Observation

The writer observes students’ achievements based on their participations

in group work and also their performances in front of the class.

d. Reflection

The writer analyzes the data collected, especially students’ progresses in

speaking English based on their scores in the test

During the process of the action research in the X grade of SMA Triguna

Utama Ciputat, the writer uses the diary and document as the instrument for

gathering the data. Diaries contain personal accounts of the observation on

feelings, reactions, interpretations, reflections, explanations and documents of

teaching and learning process which are used to provide information related to the

problem under investigation. The documents used by the writer are lesson plan

and the sample of students’ activities.

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CHAPTER IV

RESEARCH FINDING

In this research finding, the writer presents the data that have been

collected. The data description consists of the description of data from

observation, data from interview, data from questioner, the implementation of

teaching speaking using information gap activities and the improvement result of

the implementation of Information gap activities in teaching speaking at X grade

of SMA Triguna Utama Ciputat.

A. Description of Data

1. Data of Observation

Based on the observation conducted by the writer in March 31st it is known

that in teaching speaking at X grade of SMA Triguna Utama the teacher teaches

speaking by giving a dialogue on the whiteboard to the students and then she

reads it and followed by students together. Then, the teacher asks the student to

memorize and perform that dialogue in front of the class without giving them a

more communicative activity to practice the material that has been given to the

students or asking them to develop a more communicative dialogue using their

own way. So, they only memorize the dialogue and most of the students do not

know how to use the expressions taught by their teacher in real communication,

even they do not know the meaning of dialogue that they memorize. This teaching

strategy can not help students to use language as a means of communication.

28

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This strategy influences the teaching of speaking which cause many

problems. First, it relates to the condition of students who are lack of vocabulary

which will make them unable to say words or sentences in a real communication.

Second, the students get used to speak Indonesian language in the classroom. For

instance, when the teacher asks them to come forward to have a conversation with

their friends, they refuse it. They are shy to perform English conversation in front

of their friends. Consequently it makes them uninterested in learning English.

The teacher also has difficulties to teach in large class. The main problem

is the way to manage it. During the teaching hours the teacher should make the

students pay attention to the materials given to them and also to their friends’

performances in front of the class. It needs hard work to get students’ attentions

without giving them an interesting activity for more than one hour.

2. Data of Interview

a. The Description of Data from Interview with English Teacher of X

Grade of SMA Triguna Utama Ciputat

Based on the interview with the English teacher of X grade of SMA

Triguna Utama conducted by the writer in March 31st, it is known that she found

some problems in getting students’ attentions and participations in the classroom,

furthermore, the students of X grade of SMA Triguna Utama Ciputat are very

active and noisy, it is very difficult to get their attention and to keep them silent.

The English teacher thought that the cause may be because not all students

motivated in learning English. Besides, it is very difficult to motivate the students

to speak English or to perform in front of the class.

The English teacher of X grade of SMA Triguna Utama teaches speaking

by introducing new dialogue to the students, then she asks them to practice it with

their friends, and then she asks them to memorize it and perform the dialogue that

they have memorized in front of the class with their partners. Sometimes, she also

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asks the students to make a story in their homes, and the next meeting she asks

them to tell that story in front of the class.

From this interview, it is also known that the English teacher is very rare

facilitates the students of X grade of SMA Triguna Utama in communicative

activities or even in real communication inside or outside the classroom. The

reason is that the time of teaching and learning process inside the classroom is

very limited, so it is very difficult to find a suitable activity in this situation.

Sometimes, she also invites the students to speak English when she meets them

outside the class, however she usually has to mix it with Indonesian language, or

even translate it into Indonesian language because the students look confuse and

cannot respond correctly to her speaking.

According to the English teacher of X grade of SMA Triguna Utama, the

students’ ability in speaking English are still low, however they have shown some

improvements compared to their ability before they learn in SMA Triguna Utama.

At first, they look fear to speak, but now they are braver to speak English.

b. The Description of Data from Interviews with Students of X Grade of

SMA Triguna Utama

Based on the interviews conducted by the writer to the ten students of X

grade of SMA Triguna Utama, it is known that most students like English,

however some students are not motivated to learn English because they thought

that learning English is very difficult and boring.

The students of grade X of SMA Triguna Utama have some problems in

learning English that they can not understand English well and they do not brave

to speak English because they are rarely involved in speaking activity and also

because of the lack of vocabulary items. Most students are motivated in learning

to speak English, however, sometimes they are bored because they are always

asked to memorize.

The students said that their English teacher teaches them by introducing a

dialogue and the she asks them to memorize and perform it in front of the class.

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Sometimes, they also tell a story in front of the class, but it is very rare. The

students also said that their English teacher sometimes uses English in the

classroom, however because the students do not understand her, she changes it

into Indonesian language. The students admitted that their braves in speaking is

improved, however they still have some difficulties in expressing their ideas or

thoughts orally.

3. The Implementation of Information Gap Activities in Teaching

Speaking

Based on the information from the data collected, the students were not

interested in learning English. They were difficult to learn English, especially

speaking. Their scores of the English test were poor. They felt the way to teach

English was monotonous or not interesting. They needed a method to make them

pay attention to the English lesson.

They had limited vocabulary items, they like to use their native languages

more than English to express their opinions, and they had less motivation in

speaking class. The teacher had a problem when she teaches in the class. The

problem was that the teacher had a difficulty in handing the passive students and

the hyper active ones who always make a lot of noises in the class during the

teaching learning process. To overcome the problem in that class, the writer used

information gap activities to support the teaching-learning process. The writer

teaches the students using information gap activity as the technique of teaching

the students. The topics used in this research were giving the direction,

unforgettable experience, shapes, daily activities, job vacancy, travelling and the

beauty of Indonesia.

In this research implementation, the writer arranged pre-test and post-test

orally. The test is aimed to measure the students’ achievements in speaking. In the

pre-test, the writer used a kind of information gap activity, that is identifying

pictures. In this pre-test, learner A has a set of six pictures which are all very

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similar in content, but contain a number of distinguishing features. Learner B has

a duplicate copy just one of these pictures which s/he has been given by the

teacher. Learner A must find out which of the pictures learner B is holding, by

asking him questions about it.

After knowing that the students’ speaking ability is low, that can be seen

in the result of pre-test score, the writer prepared three cycles. Each cycle consists

of four steps, they were planning, action, observation, and reflection. After each

cycle was done, the writer conducted post-test to know the improvement of

students’ speaking ability. The description of each cycle can be explained as

follows.

This research was held in SMA Triguna Utama Ciputat from March 31st

until Mei 20th in three cycles. Every cycle was conducted in three meetings.

a. Cycle One

1. Planning

To find the students’ speaking ability, the writer did pre-test in cycle one.

The writer planned a lesson plan and selected the appropriate material. There are

three lesson plans in cycle one, the topics are my lovely home, giving direction

and unforgettable experience. This lesson discussed a map direction and

childhood experience. The writer also prepared pictures, maps, vocabulary items

and expressions that can be used in conversation.

2. Action

In this phase, the writer did action by teaching X grade students of SMA

Triguna Utama Ciputat using information gap activities. The writer explained

about how to give direction and also performed a conversation about it. In order to

know the students’ speaking master, the teacher sat down in the back row and

sometimes in front of the class in order to observe and monitor all of the activities

during the action, and also not to disturb the teaching learning process.

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In this phase, the writer used four steps in each cycle, namely; Building

Knowledge of the Field (BKOF), Modelling of Text (MOT), Join Construction of

Text (JCOT), and Independent Construction of Text (ICOT). In BKOF, the

students enriched their knowledge based on their fields and she focused on

vocabulary and grammar competences. In the step of Modelling of Text (MOT),

the writer modified the activity in order that the students can understand how to

do the activity. In JCOT, the students begin to do something, get understand and

do exercise with their group. In ICOT, the students create and show their

performances individually or in pair.

First meeting

Day/Date : Monday, April 12th, 2010

Topic : My Lovely Home

(1) Building Knowledge of the Field (BKOF)

The writer started the lesson by giving warming up to the students about

the vocabulary items and expressions related with the material.

After that, the writer showed students a picture and asked them to say

anything about the picture. This is to stimulate students’ ability to describe and

ask something.

(2) Modelling of Text (MOT)

The writer asked a student to be a volunteer to come forward to perform

the activity with the writer. The writer gave a picture to that student, while the

writer had 6 pictures of living rooms. The writer asked and described about the

pictures in order to find out which one is student A’s living room. This activity is

aimed at getting students to be able to understand how to do this activity.

(3) Joint Construction of Text (JCOT)

The writer asked students to work in pair with their partner and a partner

was given six pictures, while the other was given a picture. The students had to do

the activity which had been performed before.

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(4) Independent Construction of Text (ICOT)

The teacher instructed the students to come forward with their partner. The

teacher gave six pictures to a partner and a picture to the other. They had to

perform what they had practiced, but a picture held by a partner was selected by

the teacher.

In order to stimulate and to make them active, the writer promised that for

those who practice in front of the class, they would get additional score. At that

time, there are some students who performed in front of class.

Second Meeting

Day/Date : Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

Topic : Giving Direction

(1) Building Knowledge of the Field (BKOF)

The writer started the lesson by giving warming up to the students about

the vocabulary items and expressions related with the material. The writer also

performed a dialogue between two people about giving direction.

After that, the writer red two dialogues about giving direction to

someone. The first dialogue was between the taxi driver and an old woman, while

the second dialogue was between Jessica and her old friend, Andrew.

(2) Modelling of Text (MOT)

The writer asked the students to repeat the dialogue after the writer red it

for them. After that, the writer invited two students to perform the dialogue in

front of the class. It is aimed to give the example of dialogue that can be used for

the next activity. However, the writer did not write the dialogues on the

whiteboard in order that the students do not copy the dialogue. The writer asked

them to use their imagination and their ability to create the dialogue on their own

way.

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The writer also gave some expressions to give direction to someone, such

as: go down Pine Street to Broadway, turn left on Maple Street, etc. The

expressions given are based on the map that has been given to them.

(3) Joint Construction of Text (JCOT)

Each student is given a map, but some of buildings are missing in the map.

The writer asked students to work in pair. The missing buildings are different in

each partners, student A has different missing buildings with Student B.

Therefore, student A had to direct student B to the building s/he has asked to

student A. They have to do this by using conversation that they have made.

(4) Independent Construction of Text (ICOT)

After 20 minutes practicing with their partner, the writer asked 10 partners

(20 students) to perform the dialogue in front of the class, and the missing

building is given by the teacher. They may not use their map, the map is given by

the writer.

Most of students tried to be active. There are only few students kept silent.

They looked unconfident to speak up. The aim of this activity is to increase

students’ speaking ability, so that they can make correct sentence based on the

correct grammar.

Third Meeting

Day/Date : Monday, April 19th, 2010

Topic : Unforgettable Experience

(1) Building Knowledge of the Field (BKOF) and Modeling of Text (MOT)

At this time, the writer gave warming up to the students related with the

material. She asked the students about the last material and then she asked the

students about their unforgettable experiences in their life. Almost all students

said that they have unforgettable experience, it might be about love, travelling,

friendship, etc. The writer asked students what tenses we should use when we tell

about something happened at the past time. It only to refresh their memory about

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how to use tenses correctly. Most students said past tense and there is a student

said that past continues tense could also be used. The writer praised them so that it

will encourage them to be more active. The writer also gave short explanation

about past tense and past continues tense in order to help students to refresh their

memory about it.

Then, the writer asked them to tell their unforgettable experience to their

partner, they may not write it. They only had to tell it to their partner and their

partners have to listen and remember what his/her friend told him/her. The writer

told the students that later they had to retell their partner’s experience to the whole

class, and the others had to listen and give some responds to that story. The writer

told students that she will give a bonus score to the student who responded to their

friend’s story.

(2) Joint Construction of Text (JCOT)

In this phase, the students worked with their partner, a student had to tell

his/her unforgettable experience to his/her partner and his/her partner had to listen

and remember what s/he told him/her. They did it in turn, after student A told

his/her experience to student B, now it is student B’s turn to tell student A about

his/her unforgettable experience. If they had finished telling their experiences to

their partner, they may try to paraphrase or retell their partner’s experience in pair,

so that his/her partner will correct him/her if s/he had some misunderstanding

about his/her partner’s story.

(3) Independent Construction of Text (ICOT)

After 30 minutes practicing with their partners, the writer asked students to

stop for telling their experiences to their partners. Then, she asked if there was a

student who wants to try to tell the class about his/her friend’s unforgettable

experience. The writer told them that she will give a bonus score for the first two

students who tell their partner’s experience to the whole class and she also

reminded them that they will get score if they respond to their friend’s story.

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Most of students retold their partner’s experience for only one minute,

they said that they didn’t know what to say any more. It was difficult for them to

retell a story without write it first and then memorize what they have written.

3. Observation

The writer carried out the observation. The writer observed the teaching

learning process by monitoring the students’ activities in this cycle. The writer

saw that most of the meetings were not running well. The students looked

confused, ashamed and afraid when they were asked to speak. The students still

felt difficult to express their ideas orally or event write it first and then memorize

what they had written. They have used to memorize the conversation given to

them, so that it is difficult for them to express their ideas or thoughts. 4. Reflection

After analyzing the data by observing and evaluating the result of

observation of teaching learning process and students’ pre-test scores in cycle one,

the writer concluded that it is very important for her to give more activities that

will encourage the students to express their ideas orally. Most students have

difficulties in implementing grammar rules in speaking, although they have a

good comprehension of grammar rules. Therefore, it is very important to help

them to use correct grammar while they are speaking. The students have to

practice frequently to speak English without writing it first, they have to try to

speak fluently and correctly without memorizing. The writer should give more

attention and motivation to the students in order to make them braver and more

confident to speak English. She should be able to recognize some students who

get difficulty to understand and to speak English.

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b. Cycle two

1. Planning

After finding the fact that the students’ speaking mastery was low, which

was proven by their pre-test scores, the writer planned the strategies of the

research by designing one of information gap activities that is sharing information

with unrestricted cooperation and selecting the appropriate material. The topics

are travelling, shapes, and job vacancy.

The writer prepared some pictures related to the topic and the activity that

will be conducted. The second cycle was carried out to solve the problem found in

cycle 1, which were students still low in speaking ability, especially to speak

spontaneously. The writer used different activities in each meeting to avoid

students’ boredom

2. Action

In the implementation phase, the writer conducted the teaching learning

process in the second cycle to get better result that was significant in improving

speaking mastery by using information gap activities in order to improve students’

speaking mastery. The writer explained the new method briefly. As stated in

planning phase, there were three meetings. They are:

1) First Meeting

Day/Date : Monday, April 26st, 2010

Topic : Travelling

(1) Building Knowledge of Text (BKOF)

The writer started the lesson by giving warming up to the students to focus

them to the topic. The writer asked some questions to motivate students to speak,

and the questions given are related to the topic.

(2) Modeling of Text (MOT) and Joint Construction of Text (JCOT)

The writer gave the pictures to the students. Each student got 5 pictures.

The writer asked them to work with their partner. For instance, student A had to

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arrange the pictures in his/her way, and student B had to reproduce the same

sequence as student A, but he/she may not see student A’s picture. Student A had

to instruct and direct student B by describing, asking question, etc, so that student

B can reproduce the same sequence of pictures as student A’s. If they have

finished, it’s student B turn to do as student A did before.

In order to make the students more understand about the instruction, the

writer asked a student to come forward and perform how to do the task with the

writer.

(3) Independent Construction of Text (ICOT)

In this phase, the writer called two students to come forward and then she

gave the students some pictures, the pictures are different with the pictures given

to them before. She asked the students to do as what they had practiced, however

the pictures are arranged by the writer. It was conducted in order to encourage

students to speak and express their thoughts orally.

Because the time was limited, there are only 18 students (9 partners) who

had performed in this meeting, therefore, the rest of them will perform in the next

meeting.

2) Second Meeting

Day/Date : Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

Topic : Shapes

(1) Building Knowledge of Field (BKOF)

Before the writer gave the material, the writer gave warming up to the

students about the material. The writer reviewed the difficult words and also the

activity conducted in the last meeting.

After that, the writer gave some pictures of a collection of shapes to each

student. As their last activity, the students had to work in pair and a student

arranged the pictures in his/her own way, and another student had to arrange in the

same way as his/her friend done without seeing each other’s pictures.

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(2) Modeling of Text (MOT) and Joint Construction of Text (JCOT)

In this phase, the writer gave some vocabulary items related to shapes and

also some expressions that may be used by the students during this activity.

Because the students have known how to do this activity, so the writer did not

give explanation about how to do this activity.

While the students were practicing with their partner, the writer observed

students’ participation and she also helped them if they found some difficulties.

(3) Independent Construction of Text (ICOT)

In this phase, the writer called students who had not performed yet in

the last meeting. The writer called two students at a time to come forward and

then she gave the students some pictures of shapes collection, the pictures are

different with the pictures given to them before. She asked the students to do as

what they had practiced, however the pictures are arranged by the writer.

After all students had performed, it’s still 10 minutes before the bell rang,

therefore, the writer gave a game for students. This game is also based on

information gap principle. The game was: “20 questions”. In this game, the writer

told the students that she was keeping a word in her mind, and he asked students

to ask 20 questions about what she was thinking, and when they have asked 20

questions, they have to guess what was it.

3) Third Meeting

Day/Date : Monday, May 3rd, 2010

Topic : Naming Noun Categories

(1) Building Knowledge of Field (BKOF)

In this time, the writer gave warming up to the students related with the

material. She asked the students about the last materials and she said that the day

was test.

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(2) Join Construction of Text (JCOT)

In this phase, the writer asked the students to work in a group of five. In

order to save the time, the writer asked them to work with their partners who sat

behind them. The writer used naming noun categories ( a kind of information gap

activities). The writer gave different noun to each student. Each student had to

make a description of the noun given to them, and then later they described it to

their friends in his/her group, and s/he let their friends to guess the noun s/he

meant. The writer gave 20 minutes for them to do it.

The writer not only evaluated the group but individual too. In this phase,

she can measure the students’ speaking mastery.

(3) Independent Construction of Text (ICOT)

In this phase, the writer called student’s name one by one. The student

whose his/her name was called has to explain the description s/he had made to the

class, while the other students had to guess. The writer told the class that she will

give bonus score for the student who can guess his/her friend’s description. The

aim of this activity is to improve students’ brave to speak in front of their friends.

3. Observation

The writer carried out the observation. She observed the teaching learning

process by monitoring the students’ activities in this cycle. This observation was

done to get the data from the students’ progresses during their activity when

teaching learning process occurred.

Students’ responses in cycle 1 were not good. Most of meetings were not

running well. Some students still looked confused, and afraid to speak in front of

the class. Some students still had difficulties to express their ideas and they did

not know what to say. However, in cycle 2, the writer found that the students’

progress in speaking was better than in cycle 1. Most of students were able to use

grammar and structure that they have stored in their brain correctly for speaking.

Although there are some students still have difficulties in using correct grammar

and structure in speaking, but they had understand how to use it, they only need

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more activities to make them accustomed to apply the rules of grammar and

structure.

4. Reflection

After analyzing the data and evaluating the result of observation of

teaching learning process in cycle 2, the writer should give more attentions and

motivations to the students in order to make them braver and more confident to

speak English. She should be able to recognize the students who get difficulty to

understand and often produced incorrect speaking. The writer has to give special

treatment for those students by inviting them to speak with the writer so that the

writer can correct the errors that they had made during conversation. The other

treatment is by putting those students who get difficulties in speaking to work in

pairs or groups with the students who have a good ability in speaking English, so

that they can learn with peer. Error correction by peer seems to be less

intimidating than error correction made by teacher to the students.

Based on the result of cycle 2, the writer concluded that by using

information gap activities in teaching speaking can improve students’ ability to

speak English fluently and correctly. Now, most students are able to respond

teacher’s question or statement in English correctly.

c. Cycle Three

1. Planning

After analyzing the result of cycle 2, the writer concluded that using

information gap activities in teaching speaking could improve students’ speaking

mastery. It can be said that information gap activities were effective in improving

students’ speaking ability. Cycle 2 didn’t give a satisfactory result because there

were some students who get difficulties to use grammatical rules and structures

correctly. It was necessary to continue the next cycle to improve students’

speaking ability. The third cycle was carried out to solve the problem in cycle 2,

where a few students still have difficulties in using correct grammar in speaking

although they have a good comprehension of grammar rules.

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The writer used the next kind of information gap activities that is sharing

and processing information. In this activity, a picture-script story (without

dialogue) is cut up into its separate pictures. One picture is handed to each

member of a group. Without seeing each other’s pictures, the learners in the group

must decide on the original sequence and reconstruct the story.

There are two levels of language in this activity. The first is the language

needed for description and narration. The teacher can exercise some controls at

this level, through the content of the pictures she selected. The second level is the

language needed for discussion. Besides that, the writer prepared the pictures and

arranged the students’ seats into five groups.

b. Action

In this phase, the writer conducted the teaching learning process in the

third cycle to get a better result that was significant in improving students’

speaking ability by using information gap activities. There were three meetings in

this cycle, including post test. They are:

1) First Meeting

Day/Date : Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

Topic : Fairy Tales

(1) Building Knowledge of Text (BKOF) and Modeling of Text (MOT)

Before the writer gave the material, she gave warming up to the students

about the material. Then, the writer asked the students to work in group of five. In

order to save the time, the writer managed them to make a group with the partner

who sat behind or beside them. There were ten groups in the class and each group

consists of four students. Then, the writer gave a picture to each student in the

group.

(2) Join Construction of Text (JCOT)

In this phase, the students worked in group. They reconstructed the

pictures into a correct sequence. After that, they discussed about the pictures and

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created a story without writing it. The writer gave 10 minutes to reconstruct the

script and then she gave 20 minutes to create a story based on the pictures that

they have reconstructed. The writer helped students if they found some difficulties

during this activity.

(3) Independent Construction of Text (ICOT)

After 20 minutes discussing in their groups to create a story based on the

pictures, the writer asked them to stop discussing and called two members of each

group to perform their story in front of the class. The writer choose the students to

perform randomly.

2) Second Meeting

Day/Date : Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

Topic : Making a Tour

(1) Modeling of Text (MOT) and Join Construction of Text (JCOT)

The writer told the class that she had two kinds of paper. The first paper is

the list of some interesting places where people usually go for vacation. The other

paper is the list of things. Then, she asked the students to work in pair and she

gave a paper consists of the name of interesting places to student in each partner

and the other is given the paper with the list of things. The writer reminded the

students that they may not see the other’s paper.

Then, the writer told them that they have to work with their partner to

decide some places to go for vacation and also decided what they should bring

when they go to that place. In order to help the students to understand how to do

this activity, the writer asked a student who have a good ability in English to come

forward and perform this activity with the writer in front of the class. The writer

gave 25 minutes to do this activity.

(2) Independent Construction of Text (ICOT)

After 25 minutes practicing with their partner, the writer gave chance for

10 partners to perform in front of the class. The students were very enthusiastic.

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All of them wanted to perform, however, because of limited time, there were only

20 students (10 partners) performed.

3) Third Meeting

Day/Date : Monday, May 17th, 2010

Topic : The Beauty of Indonesia

(1) Building Knowledge of Field (BKOF)

In this time, the writer gave warming up to the students and she asked the

students about the last activity. She told them that the test will be the same as the

last activity but the topic is different.

Then, the writer asked students to find their partner and she gave a student

in each partner a paper consisting of 10 provinces in Indonesia, while the other is

given a paper consists of 20 things that might be found in those provinces. Then,

the writer told them that they have to work with their partner to decide things that

might be found in each province. They had to speak, discuss and argue their ideas

to decide what things might be found in each province.

(2) Join Construction of Text (JCOT)

The writer gave 20 minutes for students to practice with their partner. It

was not too difficult for them to understand how to do this activity, because they

had done this activity before.

(3) Independent Construction of Text (ICOT)

In this phase, the writer called students’ names two by two. She selected

the name randomly. Then, she gave them two papers as the papers that had been

given to them before. It is in order to avoid students from cheating. The writer

also invited the English teacher to assess students’ performances. The test ran for

45 minutes.

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3. Observation

As it was explained in the previous section, observation was done to get

the data from the students’ progresses during their activities when teaching

learning process occurred. It was expected that the result in the third cycle would

be better than what had been achieved in the second cycle.

The students’ responses in cycle 3 were very good. They were very

enthusiastic to follow the teaching learning process. The students looked braver

and more confident to speak English. They competed to be volunteers when the

writer asked them to speak or answer the questions. When the writer gave

worksheet, the students were full of concentration, so the material given could be

learnt optimally.

4. Reflection

Based on the result of the observation, the writer evaluated the students’

speaking ability as well as the action procedures of teaching learning process that

she has conducted. The result implied that the students got a significant progress

in their speaking ability when they were taught using information gap activities.

They were braver, more confident, easier to understand English speaking, and

easier to use grammatical rules and vocabulary items that they have possessed to

speak English fluently and correctly. In addition, now they are able to use

language for communication, especially for speaking. When the writer met the

students outside the class, she invited them to speak English with her, and they

were able to respond fluently and correctly, although sometimes some students

still make a few mistakes, such as in using correct tenses. However, the writer has

reached the goal that is the students are able to use English as a means of

communication. To know the progress of students’speaking ability after

conducting the research for 3 cycles or nine meetings, the writer displayed

students’ progress on their pre-test and post test.

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2. The Improvement of Students’ Speaking Achievements

To know whether the teaching speaking using information gap activities

was successful or not and whether the scores were significantly increased or not to

the students of SMA Triguna Utama Ciputat, the writer described the result of

pre-test and post-test. By this result the writer wanted to know the result of

teaching action to the students in pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, fluency

and comprehension. The writer used quantitative descriptive technique to analyze

the data.

In order to categorize and interpret the achievement of students in pre-test

and post-test, the writer used the categorization of absolute grading30 as follow:

A = Outstanding. Student has mastered all of the course’s major and minor instructional goals.

B = Very Good. Student has mastered all of the course’s major instructional goals and most of the minor ones.

C = Satisfactory. Student has mastered most of the course’s major instructional goals but just a few of the minor ones.

D = Very Weak. Student has mastered just a few of the course’s major and minor instructional goals and barely has the essentials needed for the next highest level of instruction. Remedial work would be desirable.

E = Unsatisfactory. Student has not mastered any of the course’s major instructional goals and lacks the essentials needed for the next highest level of instruction. Remedial work is needed.

The writer describes students’ scores in pre-test and post-test in the table

below:

30. Robert L. Linn and Norman E. Gronlund, Measurement and Assessment in Teaching,

(New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1995), p.349

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Table 4.3

The Scores of Speaking Pre-test

Student Comp Fluency Grammar Voc. Pronunciation Total Score 1 65 70 60 65 60 320 64 2 60 60 55 60 65 300 60 3 55 60 55 60 60 290 58 4 65 65 60 60 65 315 63 5 60 60 55 60 55 290 58 6 65 70 70 65 70 340 68 7 65 70 70 60 65 330 66 8 60 65 60 65 60 310 62 9 60 65 55 60 55 295 59 10 60 65 65 60 60 310 62 11 55 60 50 60 60 285 57 12 70 70 70 75 70 355 71 13 60 60 60 65 70 315 63 14 55 60 60 65 60 300 60 15 60 60 50 60 60 290 58 16 60 65 70 60 65 320 64 17 60 60 50 60 65 295 59 18 65 60 50 60 65 300 60 19 65 70 70 75 75 355 71 20 65 60 65 65 60 315 63 21 60 65 55 65 60 305 61 22 70 65 60 70 70 335 67 23 70 70 65 70 70 345 69 24 70 65 65 70 70 340 68 25 60 60 55 65 60 300 60 26 60 60 55 60 60 295 59 27 60 60 50 60 60 290 58 28 70 70 60 70 70 340 68 29 60 60 65 60 65 310 62 30 60 65 65 60 65 315 63 31 60 65 50 60 65 300 60

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32 70 60 55 70 60 315 63 33 60 60 65 65 65 315 63 34 70 65 65 70 65 335 67 35 70 65 60 75 70 340 68 36 60 60 50 60 65 295 59 37 55 60 50 60 65 290 58 38 60 65 60 65 65 315 63 39 65 60 55 65 65 310 62 40 60 65 60 65 60 310 62

Based on the table above, the writer concluded the lowest score of pre-test

is 57 and the highest score of pre-test is 71.

The average of students’ scores of pre-test is:

∑ Pre-test (X) = 2506

Mean31 = ∑ X

N

= 2506

40

= 62. 6

Based on the absolute grading, it is categorized as satisfactory; students

have mastered most of the course’s major instructional goals but just a few of the

minor ones. It means that the students almost able to achieve the goal in learning

speaking that is to use it for communication, however their ability in using the

elements of speaking described in the previous chapter is weak.

After conducting the research and teaching speaking using information gap

activities at X grade students of SMA Triguna Utama for seven meetings, the

writer conducted the post-test in order to know students’ achievements after they

are taught using information gap activities. The students’ scores are:

31 J. Supranto, Statistik: Teori dan Aplikasi, (Jakarta: Erlangga, 2000), p. 35.

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Table 4.4

The Scores of Speaking Post-test

Student Comp Fluency Grammar Voc. Pron. Total Score 1 70 85 80 80 85 400 80 2 75 80 80 80 70 385 77 3 60 65 60 65 65 315 63 4 65 70 65 75 70 345 69 5 60 65 60 70 65 320 64 6 70 75 70 65 70 350 70 7 65 70 70 75 75 355 71 8 70 75 75 80 70 370 74 9 65 70 65 75 70 345 69

10 60 65 65 70 70 330 66 11 50 65 60 70 65 310 62 12 75 80 80 80 85 400 80 13 70 65 70 65 70 340 68 14 65 70 65 75 70 345 69 15 60 65 65 70 65 325 65 16 70 75 80 85 70 380 76 17 70 70 70 75 70 355 71 18 50 60 60 70 65 305 61 19 70 75 75 70 70 360 72 20 70 70 70 75 70 355 71 21 70 75 70 70 70 355 71 22 80 80 75 75 80 390 78 23 75 80 75 75 70 375 75 24 70 70 70 70 70 350 70 25 60 65 55 65 60 305 61 26 60 65 65 70 60 320 64 27 60 60 60 65 60 305 61 28 70 70 70 75 75 360 72 29 80 80 80 80 85 405 81 30 60 65 65 70 65 325 65 31 70 75 65 70 70 350 70 32 70 70 75 70 70 355 71

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33 70 70 60 75 65 340 68 34 65 70 65 70 70 340 68 35 70 70 75 70 70 355 71 36 75 70 80 75 70 370 74 37 65 70 65 70 60 330 65 38 60 70 60 70 65 325 65 39 65 70 70 75 75 355 71 40 65 65 70 70 70 340 68

Based on the table above, the writer concluded the lowest score of post-

test is 61 and the highest score is 81 which indicated that the post-test scores is

higher than the pre-test score.

The average of students’ scores of pre-test is:

∑ Post-test (Y) = 2782

Mean32 = ∑ Y

N

= 2782

40

= 70. 9

Based on the absolute grading, it is categorized as very good; students

have mastered all of the course’s major instructional goals and most of the minor

ones. It means that students have achieved the goal of learning speaking that is to

use it for communication and they have also been able to use the elements of

speaking described in the previous chapter, although sometimes they still use it

incorrectly.

The improvement of the average of students’ scores in pre-test and post-test is:

Σ Y - Σ X = 70. 9 – 62. 6 = 8. 2

32 J. Supranto, Statistik: Teori dan Aplikasi, (Jakarta: Erlangga, 2000), p. 35.

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In order to classify the improvement of students’ scores in pre-test and

post-test, the writer quoted standard of mark by using “standard of six” by

Norman Gronlund mentioned below:

Table 4.5

Standard of Six by Gronlund

Mark Classification >9 Very good 8 Good 7 More than enough 6 Enough 5 Bad 4 Very bad

To know the improvement of students’ speaking pre-test and post-test, the

writer presents the data of the comparison between students’ score in pre-test and

post-test in the table below:

Table 4.6 The Comparison Scores of Pre-test and Post-test

Student Pre-test score (X)

Post-test score (Y)

Improvement (Y-X)

1 64 80 16 2 60 77 17 3 58 63 5 4 63 69 6 5 58 64 6 6 68 70 2 7 66 71 5 8 62 74 12 9 59 69 10

10 62 66 4 11 57 62 5 12 71 80 9 13 63 68 5 14 60 69 9 15 58 65 7 16 64 76 12 17 59 71 12 18 60 61 1

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19 71 72 1 20 63 71 8 21 61 71 10 22 67 78 11 23 69 75 6 24 68 70 2 25 60 61 1 26 59 64 5 27 58 61 3 28 68 72 4 29 62 81 19 30 63 65 2 31 60 70 10 32 63 71 8 33 63 68 5 34 67 68 1 35 68 71 3 36 59 74 15 37 58 65 7 38 63 65 2 39 62 71 9 40 62 68 6

The table above shows that the average score of pre-test is 62,6. In post-

test, the average score is 70,9. The improvement result of the implementation is

8,2. So, there is a significant improvement of students’ achievements in speaking.

According to Gronlud’s standard of six, it was classified into ‘good’. It means that

information gap activities is effective to be used in teaching speaking to X grade

students of SMA Triguna Utama Ciputat.

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3. Students’ Responses on the Implementation of Teaching Speaking by

Using Information Gap Activities

After the teaching action had been implemented, the writer gave

questioner to the students. The questioner was given at the end of meeting after

school time, in order that it will not disturb the teaching learning process. The

writer took ten samples of students to answer the questioner. The questioner is

about their feeling during English lesson and their responses toward the

implementation of information gap activities in teaching speaking at X grade of

SMA Triguna Utama.

1) The process of English learning in SMA Triguna Utama.

It showed that 5 students like the process of English learning and the

others stated that they like it but it is difficult to understand. For some students,

English learning is interesting but difficult to understand. So, we should use new

method in order to help them better in English lesson.

2) The method in teaching English speaking used by their English teacher.

According to 10 students it is known that the method of English teaching

used by the English teacher of X grade of SMA Triguna Utama is by asking

students to memorize the material she has given to them, without engaging

students in the activity that will motivate them to apply what they have learnt

using their own ways. The teacher should use new method to teach English in

order that the students will be more active and able to improve their

communicative competences.

3). Students’ opinions about the method used by their English teacher in teaching

speaking.

Most students like speaking lesson, but they need a more creative and

communicative activities to motivate them to speak English.. The English teacher

should engage students in more active activities, so that they can express their

ideas or opinions orally.

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4) Favorite things in speaking lesson.

According to 10 students, their favorite things in speaking lesson are

practice and perform the dialogue with their friends in front of the class. It showed

that the students want to be active in teaching and learning process, so that they

can express their ideas or opinions. Therefore, we should give more attractive

activity to facilitate them to speak English

5) Students’ problems in Speaking Lesson.

Most of students said that their problems in speaking lesson are bored to

memorize the dialogue. It showed that the students do not like monotonous

activity, such as memorization and they do not brave to express their ideas or

opinions.

6) Students ability in speaking English for communication before they are taught

using information gap activities.

Students opinions showed that most students have difficulty in speaking

because they do not know how to say their ideas in English, because they have

used to memorize the dialogue. The teacher should give them more opportunity to

express their ideas in English.

7) Students’ opinions about learning speaking using information gap activities.

According to 10 students, they like and enjoy to learn speaking using

information gap activities because it has various of interesting activities.

8) Favorite things in speaking class using information gap activities

According to 10 students, the favorite things in speaking class using

information gap activities are speaking with their partner without memorizing, so

it forces them to use language elements that they have possessed to express their

ideas.

The statements above showed that the students like this method, they

become more confident, more enjoy, more active and easier to understand, and

they also like to cooperate and speak without memorization

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9) Problem in speaking lesson when students are taught using information gap

activities.

At first, the students have some difficulties to express their opinions

without memorizing, however after they have accustomed to the activity, they

found that information gap activities are interesting.

10) Student’s ability in speaking English after they are taught using information

activities.

Most students said that their ability are improved after they are taught

using information gap activities. They are braver and more confident to speak

English.

Most students said that they love this technique. They could easily learn

English speaking. The students admitted that their speaking ability is improved.

The students could speak up confidently in front of the class. For those reasons,

the students could be more familiar with speaking activity.

The students also admitted that they were not bored during the teaching

learning process. The students looked braver and more confident to speak and

express their feelings orally in English. They became active and full of

concentration in the classroom during the lesson. They are motivated to practice

and try to speak English.

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B. Interpretation of Data

1. Data of Observation

Based on the observation conducted by the writer, it is known that the

English teacher teaches speaking by giving a dialogue to the students, then she

asks them to memorize and perform it in front of the class without asking them to

make a more communicative dialogue on their own ways or facilitating them with

a communicative activity to motivate them to speak.

This teaching strategy causes many problems. First, the students are lack

of vocabulary which causes them unmotivated and afraid to speak English.

Second, the students do not used to speak English in the classroom, while the

most comfortable place for them to speak English is in the classroom. Third, the

students are very noisy because they are not interested with the activity given by

their teacher and it causes the teacher difficult to manage the classroom condition.

However, after the students are taught using information gap activities,

they can be active and participate fully in the teaching learning process. It because

they are interested with the activity given to them, and an interesting activity can

motivate them to be active in the teaching learning process.

2. Data of Interviews

The data of interviews with the English teacher and the students of X

grade of SMA Triguna Utama show that the teacher and the students have some

problems in teaching and learning English speaking. First, the teacher has a

problem to get students’ attentions and participations, and she thought that the

reason was that they are not motivated to speak English. Getting students’

attentions and participations for more than one hour, especially in a large class of

40 students is a hard job if we do not give them an interesting, creative and

innovative activity. If a teacher only uses a kind of activity in every meeting, it

will make students feel bored. Therefore, an English teacher has to use different

activities in teaching speaking to make students interested and enjoy the teaching

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learning process. If the students enjoy the teaching learning process, they will pay

attention and participate actively in the teaching and learning process.

Second, the English teacher has a problem to handle some passive students

who do not participate in the class, while other students are very active that they

always talk or play with their friends while teaching learning process is going on.

Therefore, we have to motivate passive students to be active students by giving

them an interesting activity that allows and forces them to be active to speak

English with their friends at first, and later it will motivate them to speak in front

of the class. The very active students will also be motivated to participate in an

activity that involved them actively in an interesting activity. The active student

will participate actively if they are involved actively in an interesting activity that

allows them to use their creativity in using language.

The third problem is that the students are rarely involved in a

communicative activity, so it causes them difficult to communicate when they are

involved in communication. They can not express their ideas in English because

they used to memorize the material given by their teacher, sometimes without

knowing the meaning of the conversation that they have memorized. Therefore,

the writer tries to use an interesting and communicative activity in teaching

speaking, so that the learner will be motivated to use language they have learned

for communication. Therefore, the writer decided to implement information gap

activities in teaching speaking at X grade students of SMA Triguna Utama.

3. The Implementation of Information Gap Activities to Improve Students’

Speaking Ability.

There were the problems faced by X grade students of SMA Triguna

Utama Ciputat in speaking. First, the students had limited vocabulary items and

understanding to speak English because they seldom or even never engaged in

communicative activities to improve their speaking skills. If they only memorize

the dialogue and never apply their knowledge of language elements for

communication, it will cause a problem when they involved in a real

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communication. It can cause miscommunication and low confident. The students’

speaking ability were low. It could be proven by the students’ average score in

pre-test that was 62. 6. Therefore, the writer decided to use information gap

activities with various interesting activities that can make the students enjoy the

teaching and learning process and motivate them to speak English.

In the implementation of information gap activities in teaching speaking at

X grade of SMA Triguna Utama, the writer chose some kinds of information gap

activities which are suitable to be implemented to the student of X grade of senior

high school. At first, the students looked confuse and afraid to speak English

spontaneously, however, after they had engaged in some interesting and

communicative activities for nine meetings, they looked braver and more

motivated to speak English even in real communication when they meet the writer

outside the class.

4. Students’ Achievements in the Tests

After the problems were analyzed, the writer decided to use information

gap activities to overcome the problems. The use of information gap activities can

improve students’ speaking ability. Then classroom action research was held. The

writer has conducted three cycles. The problems found in cycle 1 have been

solved in cycle 2 and 3. Each cycle consists of three meetings. After cycle 3 was

conducted, the writer conducted a post-test. It aims to know the students’

improvement. The average of pre-test score before the treatment was 62. 6.

Whereas the average score after the treatment in cycle 3 is 70. 9 and the

improvement result of the implementation is 8. 2. It shows that teaching speaking

using information gap activities can improve students’ speaking ability

significantly.

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5. Students’ Responses on the Implementation of Information Gap Activities

in Teaching Speaking

The students admitted that they loved this technique. They do not feel

bored and more enthusiastic to follow the teaching learning process. The students

looked braver and more confident to speak and express their feelings, thoughts or

ideas. They also admitted that they become active and full of concentration in the

classroom. They are also motivated to speak English. Considering the explanation

above, the writer concluded that the research is successful and the technique of

information gap activities can improve the students’ speaking ability at X grade of

SMA Triguna Utama Ciputat. The improvement of students’ speaking ability can

be supported by the improvement of students’ scores. The result of the pre-test

and post-test showed a significant improvement. The use of information gap

activities in teaching speaking can overcome the research problem that is how to

motivate the students of X grade of SMA Triguna Utama to speak English so that

it will improve their communicative competences in speaking. The students also

have a positive response to the implementation of teaching speaking using

information gap activities. The students’ speaking ability can be improved trough

information gap activities, because in information gap activities they can share

information, which will force them to say comprehensible language for their

friend/s. If they get difficulty to arrange the sentences, lack of vocabulary items

and low confidence, in information gap activities they can reduce those problems.

They can help each other. They can be motivated, more enjoy and easier in

learning English speaking.

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CHAPTER V

CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION

A. Conclusion

The result of this research shows that the use of information gap activities

in teaching speaking can overcome the students’ problems effectively. The

conclusions drawn from the result of research as follows:

1. The observation and interview conducted by the writer during the

implementation of information gap activities in teaching speaking at X grade of

SMA Triguna Utama show that the students are motivated and interested to

participate actively in information gap activity, because this activity can

facilitate them to speak with their friends and then it also makes them brave to

speak in front of the class and even outside the class.

2. By implementing information gap activities in teaching speaking, the students

have chance to be active and cooperative in speaking activity. Information gap

technique has various activities that can be effective to teach students in a big

class. Finally, the students’ speaking ability of X grade of SMA Triguna Utama

Ciputat is improved.

3. The improvement of students’ speaking ability can be seen in the improvement

of their achievements in pre-test and post-test. The result of pre-test and post-

test showed a significant improvement. The average of pre-test score is 62, 2,

and average of post-test score is 70, 8. It showed that teaching speaking using

61

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information gap activities is effective.Thus, it can be said that the teaching

English speaking by using information gap is successful.

4. The students’ responses are positive. They do not feel bored, but more

enthusiastic to follow the teaching learning process. The students look braver

and more confident to speak, easier to understand and to express their thoughts

and ideas. They also admitted that they become active, enjoy, and full of

concentration in the classroom.

B. Suggestion

Having concluded the result of research, the writer would like to propose

some suggestions that hopefully will be useful for the students, and other English

teachers or researchers.

1. For the students

Being aware that speaking is important in English communication, the

students should try or practice to speak individually, in pair or in group, both

inside and outside the classroom.

2. For the teacher

The teacher should learn and be creative to find the way of how to teach

speaking using effective method, one of them is by using information gap

activities. The teacher must also give some motivations and explanations about

the importance of speaking in English communication or universal

communication.

3. For the researcher

The result of the study can be used as an additional reference or further

research with different discussion.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

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Brown, Gillian and George Yule. Teaching the Spoken Language, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999.

Brown, H. Douglas. Principles in Language Learning and Teaching, New York: Pearson Education, 2000.

Cameron, Lynne. Teaching Language to Young Learners, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001.

Folse, Keith S. The Art of Teaching Speaking, Michigan: The University of Michigan Press, 2006.

Harmer, Jeremy. How to Teach English, Harlow: Pearson education limited, 2007.

The Practice of English Language Teaching, London: Pearson Education Limited, 2001.

Hughes, Arthur, Testing for Language Teachers (2nd edition), Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003.

Kayi, Hayriye. Teaching Speaking: Activities to Promote Speaking in a Second Language. Nevada: University of Nevada, Internet TESL Journal, Vol. XII, No. 11, November 2006.

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Kusumah, Wijaya and Dedi Dwitagam. Mengenal Penelitian Tindakan Kelas, Jakarta: Indeks, 2009.

Linn, Robert L. and Norman E. Gronlund. Measurement and Assessment in Teaching, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1995.

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Littlewood, William. Communicative Language Teaching, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006.

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Appendix 1

LESSON PLAN 1

Theme : Asking and Giving Explanation Subtheme : My lovely home Day/Date : Monday, April 12th, 2010 Time : 2x40 minutes

A. Objectives

1. Terminal objectives

Students are able to use the expressions of asking and giving explanation in

daily speaking.

2. Enabling objectives

- Students are able to describe something correctly

- Students are able to practice speaking English with their partner

- Students are able to speak English in front of the class

B. Materials, sources and teaching aids

1. Material : Asking and giving explanation

2. Sources : The Art in Teaching Speaking

3. Teaching aids : Pictures and hand out.

C. Teaching procedures

1. Opening (15 minutes)

- Teacher greets and asks students’ conditions

- Teacher introduces new material by giving example of dialogue and

related vocabulary items.

2. Core learning (55 minutes)

- Teacher gives the example the activity

- Students practice with their partners

- Students perform in front of the class

3. Closing (10 minutes)

- Teacher gives feedback

- Teacher summarizes the material with students

65

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LESSON PLAN 2

Theme : Asking and Giving Direction Day/Date : Wednesday, April 14th, 2010 Time : 2x40 minutes

A. Objectives

1. Terminal objectives

Students are able to use the expressions of asking and giving direction in

daily speaking.

2. Enabling objectives

- Students are able to ask and give direction correctly

- Students are able to practice to give direction to their partners

- Students are able to speak English in front of the class

B. Materials, sources and teaching aids

1. Material : Asking and giving direction

2. Sources : Lanternfish ESL.com

3. Teaching aids : City map and hand out.

C. Teaching procedures

1. Opening (10 minutes)

- Teacher greets and asks students’ conditions

- Teacher introduces new material by giving example of dialogue and

related vocabulary items.

2. Core learning (65 minutes)

- Teacher asks students to make a dialogue about asking and giving

direction based on the map given to them in pair

- Teacher checks students’ works

- Students practice the dialogue with their partners

- Students perform in front of the class

3. Closing (15 minutes)

- Teacher gives feedback

- Teacher summarizes the material with students

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LESSON PLAN 3

Theme : Unforgettable experience Day/Date : Monday, April 19th, 2010 Time : 2x40 minutes

A. Objectives

1. Terminal objectives

Students are able to tell the past activities correctly.

3. Enabling objectives

- Students are able to tell their experiences

- Students are able to practice English speaking with their partners

- Students are able to retell their partners’ experiences to the whole class

B. Materials, sources and teaching aids

1. Material : Telling your experience

2. Sources : New Interchange

3. Teaching aids : Hand out.

C. Teaching procedures

1. Opening ( 20 minutes)

- Teacher greets and asks students’ conditions

- Teacher introduces new material by telling her experience and

explaining the rule to tell the activities happened in the past.

2. Core learning (50 minutes)

- Students practice to tell their experiences to their partners

- Students retell his/her partner’s experiences to the whole class.

3. Closing (10 minutes)

- Teacher gives feedback

- Teacher summarizes the material with students

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LESSON PLAN 4

Theme : Travelling Day/Date : Monday, April 26th, 2010 Time : 2x40 minutes

A. Objectives

1. Terminal objectives

Students are able to describe place or thing correctly.

2 Enabling objectives

- Students are able to describe a picture to make other students understand.

- Students are able to practice English speaking with their partners

B. Materials, sources and teaching aids

1. Material : Travelling

2. Sources : New Ways in Teaching Speaking

3. Teaching aids : Picture and hand out.

C. Teaching procedures

1. Opening ( 20 minutes)

- Teacher greets and asks students’ conditions

- Teacher introduces new material by describing an interesting place

(Toba Lake) and together with students concluding how to describe

something.

- Teacher gives 5 pictures to each student.

- Teacher performs the activity in front of the class with a student.

2. Core learning ( 50 minutes)

- Students practice with their partners.

- Students perform in front of the class with their partners.

3. Closing (10 minutes)

- Teacher gives feedback

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LESSON PLAN 5

Theme : Describing shapes Day/Date : Wednesday, April 28th, 2010 Time : 2x40 minutes

A. Objectives

1. Terminal objectives

Students are able to use the correct vocabulary to describe shapes for

learning or daily speaking.

2. Enabling objectives

- Students are able to describe shapes correctly

- Students are able to do the activity to memorize some shapes with their

partners

- Students are able to perform in front of the class

B. Materials, sources and teaching aids

1. Material : Shapes

2. Sources : Lanternfish ESL.com

3. Teaching aids : Pictures

C. Teaching procedures

1. Opening ( 20 minutes)

- Teacher greets and asks students’ conditions

- Teacher introduces new material by giving some vocabulary items of

shapes

- Teacher performs the activity in front of the class with a student.

2. Core learning (55 minutes)

- Students practice to describe and draw correct shapes with their

partners

- Students perform in front of the class

3. Closing (5 minutes)

- Teacher gives feedback

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LESSON PLAN 6

Theme : Naming noun categories Day/Date : Monday, May 3rd, 2010 Time : 2x40 minutes

A. Objectives

1. Terminal objectives

Students are able to describe something correctly.

2. Enabling objectives

- Students are able to describe something correctly, so that their friends can

guess the thing s/he has described.

- Students are able to guess something that their friends have described.

B. Materials, sources and teaching aids

1. Material : Shapes

2. Sources : Lanternfish ESL.com

3. Teaching aids : Pictures

C. Teaching procedures

1. Opening (10 minutes)

- Teacher greets and asks students’ conditions

- Teacher introduces new material by describing something and asks

students to guess

2. Core learning (60 minutes)

- Students try to describe the pictures they held to their friends in group

of four and they correct their works each other.

- Students describe their pictures to the whole class, and let other groups

to guess

3. Closing (20 minutes)

- Teacher gives feedback

- Teacher summarizes the material.

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LESSON PLAN 7

Theme : Fairy tales Day/Date : Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 Time : 2x40 minutes

A. Objectives

1. Terminal objectives

Students are able to tell a narrative story based on the picture correctly.

2. Enabling objectives

- Students are able to tell a story in English.

- Students are able to speak and argue with their friends in group

- Students are able to speak English in front of the class

B. Materials, sources and teaching aids

1. Material : Telling story 2. Sources : New Interchange 3. Teaching aids : Pictures

C. Teaching procedures

1. Opening (20 Minutes)

- Teacher greets and asks students’ conditions

- Teacher introduces new material by asking students about their favorite

stories when they were child.

- Teacher asks students to work in group of four, each student is given a

picture and they have to arrange all pictures in a sequence

2. Core learning (50 minutes)

- Students speak, argue and discuss to create a story based on the pictures.

- Students tell the story to the whole class, and other groups comment their

story.

3. Closing (10 Minutes)

- Teacher gives feedback

- Teacher summarizes the material.

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LESSON PLAN 8

Theme : Making a tour Day/Date : Wednesday, May 12th, 2010 Time : 2x40 minutes

A. Objectives

1. Terminal objectives

Students are able to discuss in order to solve some problems in daily

speaking

2. Enabling objectives

- Students are able to discuss in English with their friends.

- Students are able to argue and state their ideas

- Students are able to tell their decisions in front of the class

B. Materials, sources and teaching aids

1. Material : Making a tour 2. Sources : The Art in Teaching Speaking 3. Teaching aids : List of places and things

C. Teaching procedures

1. Opening ( 20 minutes)

- Teacher greets and asks students’ conditions

- Teacher introduces new material by giving a conversation and some

vocabulary items needed by students on discussion.

- Teacher asks students to work in pair, student A gets a list of places and

student B gets a list of things.

2. Core learning ( 50 minutes)

- Students have to discuss what should they bring when they go to a

certain place in the list, they may not see each other’s list.

- Students perform in front of the class, the teacher points out the place

and they have to converse to discuss it.

3. Closing (10 minutes)

- Teacher gives feedback

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INSTRUMENT OF POST-TEST

In this post test, the researcher asked students to work in pair and she gave

a student in each partner a paper consisting of 10 provinces in Indonesia, while the

other is given a paper consisting of 20 things that might be found in that province.

They may not see other’s paper.

Then, the researcher told them that they have to work with their partner to

decide things that might be found in each province. They had to speak, discuss

and argue their ideas to decide what things might be found in each province.

When they are ready, they perform what they have discussed in front of the class,

however the teacher pointed out the province in student A’s paper.

The aspects that will be assessed by the researcher are: comprehension,

fluency, grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation.

Student A’s paper Student B’s paper

1. Central Java 1. Rock Mountain 2. Irian Jaya 2. Famous lake 3. North Sumatra 3. Temple 4. Jakarta 4. Snow 5. West Java 5. Beach 6. South Kalimantan 6. Backwoodsmen 7. Bali 7. Wildlife

Reservation 8. South Sulawesi 8. Rain forest 9. West Sumatra 9. Monument 10. Lampung 10. Palace

11. Oil industry 12. Gas industry 13. Mountain 14. Railway track 15. Toll road 16. Plantation 17. Water pollution 18. High building 19. Hill 20. Traditional house

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Appendix 4

KUESIONER

Penelitian Tindakan Kelas tentang “Peningkatan Kemampuan Speaking

Siswa dengan Menggunakan Information Gap Activities di Kelas X SMA

Triguna Utama Ciputat”

Petunjuk pengisian kuesioner

a. Bacalah dengan seksama setiap pertanyaan di bawah ini b. Tidak ada jawaban yang bernilai benar atau salah, tetapi yang ada merupakan

pendapat atau kondisi yang saudara/i rasakan c. Kerjakan setiap nomor, jangan sampai ada yang terlewatkan. d. Yang dimaksud dengan metode information gap adalah cara yang digunakan

oleh peneliti dalam mengajar bahasa Inggris di SMA Triguna Utama.

Pertanyaan:

1. Bagaimanakah menurut anda Proses pembelajaran bahasa Inggris selama

anda belajar di SMA Triguna Utama?

2. Bagaimanakah cara yang digunakan oleh guru bahasa Inggris anda dalam

mengajar speaking di kelas?

3. Bagaimanakah pendapat anda tentang belajar bahasa Inggris dengan cara

mengajar tersebut?

4. Apakah kegiatan yang paling anda sukai dalam kelas speaking?

5. Apakah masalah yang anda hadapi dalam belajar untuk berbicara bahasa

Inggris selama belajar dengan guru bahasa Inggris anda ?

6. Bagaimanakah kemampuan anda dalam berbicara bahasa Inggris sebelum

anda belajar dengan metode information gap?

7. Bagaimanakah menurut anda belajar bahasa Inggris dengan metode

information gap?

8. Apakah yang paling anda sukai dari belajar bahasa Inggris dengan metode

information gap?

9. Apakah masalah yang anda hadapi dalam belajar bahasa Inggris dengan

metode information gap?

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10. Bagaimanakah kemampuan anda dalam berbicara bahasa Inggris

(mengungkapkan pikiran tanpa harus dihapal terlebih dahulu) setelah anda

belajar dengan metode information gap?

JAWABAN KUESIONER

1. Bagaimanakah menurut anda Proses pembelajaran bahasa Inggris di SMA

Triguna Utama?

Student 1: Saya cukup merasa senang

Student 2: Rasanya menyenangkan tapi juga susah

Student 3: Mengasyikkan, gurunya baik

Student 4: Cukup menarik

Student 5: Menyenangkan tapi kadang susah

Student 6: Menyenangkan tapi kadang membosankan

Student 7: Kadang menyenangkan kadang tidak

Student 8: Menyenangkan, gurunya ramah

Student 9: Menyenangkan tapi kadang susah

Student 10: Mengasyikkan

2. Bagaimanakah cara yang digunakan oleh guru bahasa Inggris anda dalam

mengajar speaking di kelas?

Student 1 : Diberi hapalan

Student 2 : Menerangkan kemudian menghapal

Student 3 : Memberikan percakapan kemudian tampil di depan kelas

Student 4: Memberikan materi untuk dihapal, kemudian siswa maju ke

depan kelas.

Student 5 : Caranya menyenangkan

Student6 :Menjelaskan, terus memberi tugas menghapal atau

membuatcerita

Student 7: Mempraktekkan ke depan kelas

Student 8 : Memberikan materi, setelah itu mempraktekkan ke depan

kelas

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Student 9: Mempraktekkan materi yang diberikann di depan kelas dengan

teman

Student 10: Mengajarnya mudah dipahami

3. Bagaimanakah pendapat anda tentang belajar bahasa Inggris dengan cara

mengajar tersebut?

Student 1: Senang, tapi takut kalau maju ke depan

Student 2: Kadang menyenangkan, kadang menyebalkan

Student 3: Menarik, tapi susah menghapalnya

Student 4: Baik

Student 5: Cukup menarik

Student 6: Senang

Student 7: Biasa saja

Student 8: Senang

Student 9: Enak dan tidak enak

Student 10: Cukup senang

4. Apakah kegiatan yang paling anda sukai dalam kelas speaking?

Student 1: Menghapal

Student 2: Saat dialog

Student 3: Berdialog dengan teman

Student 4: Speaking di depan kelas setelah menghapal materi yang

diberikan

Student 5: Berbicara dengan bahasa Inggris

Student 6: Conversation

Student 7: Membuat cerita

Student 8: Percakapan

Student 9: Dialog

Student 10: Maju di depan kelas dengan teman

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5. Apakah masalah yang anda hadapi dalam belajar untuk berbicara bahasa

Inggris selama belajar dengan guru bahasa Inggris anda ?

Student 1: Menghafalkan

Student 2: Sulit untuk mengubah dari bahasa Inggris ke bahasa

Indonesia

Student 3: Saat berbicara ke depan kelas

Student 4: Kalau disuruh maju

Student 5: Bila harus menghafal

Student 6: Mengartikan

Student 7: Sulit membuat kalimat

Student 8: Menghafal

Student 9: Mencari arti

Student 10: Tidak ada

6. Bagaimanakah kemampuan anda dalam berbicara bahasa Inggris sebelum

anda belajar dengan metode information gap?

Student 1: Bingung dikit

Student 2: Lumayan

Student 3: Agak susah

Student 4:Bingung mau bicara apa

Student 5: Cukup sulit

Student 6: Kurang sekali

Student 7: Belum terlalu bisa

Student 8: Sangat kurang, karena sulit mecari kata-kata untuk bicara

Student 9: Kurang percaya diri

Student 10: Kurang, karena saya harus menghapal terlebih dahulu

7. Bagaimanakah menurut anda belajar bahasa Inggris dengan metode

information gap?

Student 1: Senang, karena bisa belajar bersama

Student 2: Mudah untuk diikuti

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Student 3: Asyik dan menyenangkan

Student 4: Sangat senang dan tidak membosankan

Student 5: Kegiatannya menyenangkan

Student 6: Cukup menyenangkan dan mengasyikkan

Student 7: Pertamanya bingung, tapi lama-lama mengerti

Student 8: Santai tapi serius

Student 9: Menarik karena sering diajak menggunakan bahasa Inggris

Student 10: Mengasyikkan karena kegiatannya berbeda-beda

8. Apakah yang paling anda sukai dari belajar bahasa Inggris dengan metode

information gap?

Student 1: Kita bisa tukar peandapat dengan teman

Student 2: Bisa berinteraksi dengan teman

Student 3: Kita bisa mudah memahami

Student 4: Belajar bersama dan mencari vocabulary

Student 5: Bercerita dengan gambar

Student 6: Menambah vocabulary dan lebih percaya diri

Student 7: Mudah dipahami

Student 8: Dapat berlatih berbicara, bisa dipahami

Student 9: Speaking tanpa menghapal

Student 10: Ketika diberi kertas latihan, dan disuruh membuat

conversation

9. Apakah masalah yang anda hadapi dalam belajar bahasa Inggris dengan

metode information gap?

Student 1: Tidak ada

Student 2: Tidak ada

Student 3: Sepertinya tidak ada

Student 4: Tidak ada

Student 5: Tidak ada

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Student 6: Tidak ada

Student 7: Saat guru berbicara terlalu cepat dalam bahasa Inggris

Student 8: Tidak ada

Student 9: Tidak ada

Student 10: Tidak ada

10. Bagaimanakah kemampuan anda dalam berbicara bahasa Inggris

(mengungkapkan pikiran tanpa harus dihapal terlebih dahulu) setelah anda

belajar dengan metode information gap?

Student 1: Lebih baik

Student 2: Semakin berani untuk berbicara bahasa Inggris

Student 3: Baik

Student 4: Semakin baik dan lancar

Student 5: Sudah sangat lumayan

Student 6: Memuaskan

Student 7: Baik

Student 8: Lebih baik

Student 9: Baik

Student 10: Lebih baik dari sebelumnya

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Appendix 5

Standar Kompetensi dan Kompetensi Dasar Kelas X Semester 1

Standar Kompetensi Kompetensi Dasar

Berbicara 3. Mengungkapkan

makna dalam percakapan transaksional dan interpersonal dalam konteks kehidupan sehari-hari.

4. Mengungkapkan makna dalam teks fungsional pendek dan monolog berbentuk recount, narrative dan procedure sederhana dalam konteks kehidupan sehari-hari

3.1. Mengungkapkan makna dalam percakapan transaksional (to get things done) dan interpersonal (bersosialisasi) resmi dan tak resmi secara akurat, lancar dan berterima dengan menggunakan ragam bahasa lisan sederhana dalam konteks kehidupan sehari-hari dan melibatkan tindak tutur: berkenalan, bertemu/berpisah, menyetujui ajakan/tawaran/ undangan, menerima janji, dan membatalkan janji

3.2. Mengungkapkan makna dalam percakapan

transaksional (to get things done) dan interpersonal (bersosialisasi) resmi dan tak resmi secara akurat, lancar dan berterima dengan menggunakan ragam bahasa lisan sederhana dalam konteks kehidupan sehari-hari dan melibatkan tindak tutur: mengungkapkan perasaan bahagia, menunjukkan perhatian, menunjukkan simpati, dan memberi instruksi

4.1. Mengungkapkan makna dalam bentuk teks

fungsional pendek (misalnya pengumuman, iklan, undangan dll.) resmi dan tak resmi dengan menggunakan ragam bahasa lisan dalam berbagai konteks kehidupan sehari-hari.

4.2 Mengungkapkan makna dalam teks monolog sederhana dengan menggunakan ragam bahasa lisan secara akurat, lancar dan berterima dalam berbagai konteks kehidupan sehari-hari dalam teks berbentuk: recount, narrative, dan procedure

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