5 pronounce the animals, and giving the podcasts to correct their wrong
pronunciation. 4.
Future researchers This research can inspire other researchers who will conduct a similar
research and further discussion on the use of podcasts as medium to increase the students’ pronunciation skills.
F. Definitions of Terms
In order to clarify the concept used in the research, avoid misinterpretation, and give clear information of the discussion in the research, the
researcher provides the definitions of the key words used in the research. The definition of terms is presented are as follow:
1. Pronunciation
Pronunciation is one of the elements that has to be mastered by the students in learning English. According to Yuzawa 2007, p. -,
“pronunciation is a basic and essential skill required for those who want to use English
communicatively ”. It means that pronunciation is an important thing to
communicate in English clearly. It is because pronunciation is dealing with the voice production through the mouth.
6 2.
Podcasts According to
Deal 2007, p. 2, “podcasting is a mean of publishing audio and video content on the web as a series of episodes with common theme. It can
be concluded from what Deal 2007, p. 2 has stated that podcasts can be one of educational media to learn pronunciation or vocabulary for elementary until
Senior High School students. It is because podcasts contain audio and video recording with particular themes that are posted on the internet.
3. VIII B Class of SMP PGRI 10 Wedi, Klaten
SMP PGRI 10 Wedi, Klaten is private school that is located on Sukorejo, Wedi, KP. 57461. This school uses Kurikulum Tingkat Satuan Pendidikan
KTSP curriculum for teaching activities. There are six classes in this school. Each of grade has two classes A and B.
The students’ socio-economic backgrounds are middle to low. Their parents’ jobs are farmers, building laborers,
and housekeepers. VIII B is one of the classes of SMP PGRI 10 Wedi, Klaten. Class VIII B
has 15 students that consist of 8 male students and 7 female students. When doing the previous observation, the researcher finds that the students lack of ability in
pronouncing English words especially animals. Thus, the researcher wants to help them in learning pronunciation by using podcasts.
The atmosphere in the classroom is not conducive enough to do the learning process. Many students did not only male students but also female
students are chatting with their friends. In addition, some of male students sleep in PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
7 the classroom. They do not pay attent
ion to teacher’s explanation in front of the class. Hence, they lack of good English proficiency.
8
CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
