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Teaching English speaking to children needs some techniques in order to at
tract the students’ attention. Here are some techniques in teaching speaking, described as follows:
1. Using gesture
It means that the teacher uses their gesture or body language in teaching activities. According to Halliwell 1998:4, when the teacher
will develop students’ skill, the teacher can use gesture, intonation, demonstration, action and facial expression to deliver the meaning of
something.
2. Using role-play dialogue
It is commonly used in teaching speaking in class. In role-play the students are pretending to be someone else like the teacher, or their
parents, or shopkeeper, etc. Scott and Ytreberg, 1990:40. It is good activities, because the students become the model. Further, they can
improve their speaking skill directly, during the activity is running.
3. Question and answer
Question and answer practice is one of the overworked ways of giving language practice in the classroom Byrne, 1986:48. The
teacher gives some questions related to the topic and the students should answered it orally.
4. Using picture or puppet
The use of puppet in speaking class means that the students are learning by playing. Children in elementary school enjoy puppets,
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because puppet shows are dramatic activity, which can attract the children Petersen and Hayden, 1961:137. They can tell a story or
make a conversation by using the puppet.
5. Using game
The use of game in teaching speaking can motivate the students to use the language in the class. It will be interesting for them. Games
can be used to improve the learners ’ command of item of language and
to provide the learners with opportunities to use the language Byrne, 1986:100.
6. Singing a song
It is an interesting activity to the students. Children respond strongly to music and rhythm, so they are more easily able to learn a
song than spoken text. Songs are useful for teaching the stress pattern and rhythm of English Philips, 1996:38. It shows that song can
improve learners’ speaking ability. Although there are many techniques used
to attract the students’ attention, there are several obstacles in improving speaking skill. They are:
1. The size of the class
2. The arrangement of the classroom
3. The number of hours available for teaching the language.
4. The syllabus and particularly examinations, which may discourage us
from giving adequate attention to the spoken language. Byrne 1986:1
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C. Teaching Speaking to Young Learners by Using Game
