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Figure 4: Cyclical action research model by Kemmis and McTaggart 1988
The figure above shows that there are four main steps in a cycle. Those steps are planning, action, observation, and reflection. The explanations of those
steps are described below.
1. Planning
There are several activities that the researcher did in this stage. Firstly, the researcher observed the teaching and learning process to find out the
problems faced by the teacher and the students. Secondly, the researcher interviewed the English teacher and some students of class VIII A to get more
information related to the problems and difficulties faced in the English teaching and learning. Then, based on the observation the researcher started to make
some plans to choose action which was possible to be implemented in the field. In this step, the researcher worked collaboratively with the English teacher of
grade VIII A in SMP Pembangunan Piyungan. The researcher prepared course grid, lesson plans, observation guide, interview guide, and teaching media that
would be used.
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2. Action
The action stage is the stage where the researcher implemented the action. The researcher acted as the teacher delivering the material in front of the
classroom. The English teacher acted as the collaborator, sat at the back of the classroom and observed the teaching and learning process. At the end of the
action, the researcher conducted a post-test to see the improvement of the students’ writing skill.
3. Observation
In the observation stage, the collaborator observed the teaching and learning process carried by the researcher by filling observation checklist, taking
notes or comments and photographs to record the implementation of the action. Those data were used to see the changes of the students
’ performance which would be discussed further. Practically observation was done by the collaborator
while the researcher carrying the action. Then, after implementing the action the researcher also interview some students and the collaborators to get detailed
information about the research team ’s responses about the action, the lack of the
action, and suggestion for the next action.
4. Reflection
The findings of the implementation of the action were analyzed in the reflecting step. The successful actions were recorded as the alternative way to
improve students’ writing skill and it would be continued. However, the failed actions were modified based on the condition of the subject research
