activities, preparation is essential. The teacher must be clear about her objectives if the class is to be a success. First is Linguistic preparation, the
teacher has to predict the type of language used in the activities. She could either use reading material, model dialogues on tape or any other forms to
expose the students to the use of the language for that particular context. These could be done in lessons before the activities are actually carried out.
Second is factual preparation, in order to enable the students to play their role with confidence concrete facts or information of the roles should be
discussed with or given to the students. Role cards with relevant details can be given to help the students. However, higher level students can construct
the information themselves.
B. Related Studies
The Role Playing technique is an old technique but it fits with the current approach in communicative language teaching. It can improve the students’
achievement in the class. There are some similar research studies that had been conducted before. The result of the research is described as follows.
One of the researches about the use of role play technique in improving students’ speaking ability is a research conducted by Irianti 2011
Based on the research conducted in VIII.1 class of SMP PGRI II Ciputat, the writer concluded that role playing activity can improve students’ speaking
ability. The students like role play technique. Moreover, the research showed
that the students seemed braver and more confident in speaking. It is proven by their participation in the class conversations, discussion, performances in front
of the class, pronunciation, fluency, and their confidence about speaking. Another research study was conducted by Nurina 2011. She also
conducted her research in the context of English teaching and learning in junior high school. The result of the research showed that using role play in the
speaking class helped the students to improve their speaking ability. Moreover by implementing role play in teaching speaking the students have a chance to
be active and cooperative in speaking activity.
C. Conceptual Framework
Communication is an essential need for human being. One of the ways to communicate with other people is by speaking. As stated in the previous
chapter, speaking is important for language learners because speaking is the first form of communication. They are expected to be able to speak English
accurately, fluently, and acceptably in the daily life. However, as mentioned in the previous chapter, Grade VIIIH students of
SMPN 1 Banguntapan faced several problems related to their speaking ability. The problems were the students’ pronunciation and fluency in speaking
English, the opportunity to speak English, and teaching activity in the class. The students lacked speaking activities. Consequently, they were shy and
afraid of making mistakes. They also had low vocabulary mastery so they had difficulties in expressing meanings in English. In addition, they were not
