In relation to the teaching and learning process, the problems were laid on the classroom activities and speaking practice. The classroom activities were
less motivating the students in learning. The class was monotonous and less fun learning activities. Like in traditional methods, the classroom activities were
focused on repeating after the teacher, memorizing a dialog, or responding to drills. As mentioned earlier, it is important to provide opportunities for oral
language to continue to grow in the classroom. Meanwhile, it was revealed that there was less opportunity for the students to practice speaking. Besides, it was
said by the teacher that the concern of teaching speaking was mostly to prepare the students to join competitions, such as speech contests and the like. In
addition, the focuses of National Examination were only cover the area of reading and writing. As the consequences, the limited speaking activities and
practice taught in the class promoted to the st udents’ low speaking abilities.
In conclusion, all aspects related to the teachers, the students, and the teaching and learning process in grade VIII students of SMP Negeri 2 Godean
need to be improved. The improvement can be reached by implementing
pictures as media to improve the students’ speaking skills.
C. Limitation of the Problem
Based on the identification of the problems above, there were many problems found during the practice of teaching and learning process. In this
research study, the researcher employed the approach of Action Research. The researcher focused on how to improve the
students’ speaking skills in grade
VIII of SMP Negeri 2 Godean through pictures which was conducted in the field collaboratively. Pictures were expected to be able to overcome the
problems and to help the students to improve their speaking skills. They are valuable resources as they provide a shared experience in the classroom, a need
for common language forms to use in the classroom, a variety of tasks, and a focus of interest for students. The researcher also expected that the students
would like speaking through pictures.
D. Formulation of the Problem
How can pictures improve the speaking skills of grade VIII students of SMP Negeri 2 Godean?
E. Objectives of the Research
The objective of the research is to improve the speaking skills of grade VIII students of SMP Negeri 2 Godean through pictures.
F. Significances of the Research
The significances of this research study are: 1.
Theoretical Significances a.
For English Department of Yogyakarta State University, it is expected that the research findings can enrich the theories of the use of pictures
in improving students’ speaking skills. b.
The research findings can be references for the further researchers who conduct the similar studies.
2. Practical Significances:
a. The result of the study can be beneficial for the English teachers,
especially in SMP Negeri 2 Godean, to enrich the knowledge of the ways in improving
the students’ speaking skills. b.
The research can improve the speaking skills of the students of grade VIII students of SMP Negeri 2 Godean.
c. The collaborators are also expected to get more knowledge and
experiences from the teaching and learning process of this study.
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CHAPTER II LITERATURE REVIEW AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
