Lead-in activities Planning Literature Review

complex process and can lead to learner frustration. As with speaking, it is necessary for the teacher to provide a supportive environment for the students. During the observation, researcher also found that the teacher did not give the students opportunity to make first draft and revised it after receiving feedback from the teacher or peers. In that condition the students could not experience learning effectively. From the problems above, the researcher and the English teacher of SMPN 11 Magelang decided to use project-based learning to improve students’ writing skills. There are many advantages by using project-based learning. By using this method in the classroom, students gained knowledge and skills of the language through an extended inquiry process structured around complex, authentic questions and carefully designed products and tasks. They could be highly motivated, felt actively involved in their own learning, and produced complex and high-quality work. From this process approach, the students had the opportunity in developing their writing. They had the opportunity to learn; in an authentic, challenging, multidisciplinary environment, to learn how to design, carry out, and evaluate a project that requires sustained effort over a significant period of time, to learn to work with minimal external guidance, both individually and in groups, to gain self-reliance and personal accountability. 31

CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHOD

This chapter discusses the research methods. It includes type of the research, setting of the research, subject of the research, research design, data collection technique, instrument of the research, data analysis technique, procedure of the research, and finally the ways to ensure validity and reliability.

A. Type of the Research

This research study was action research that aimed to improve the writing skill of grade VIII students through project-based learning at SMPN 11 Magelang. Burns 2010 states that this type of research involves a self-reflective, critical, and systematic approach to explore teaching contexts. This research mainly aimed to identify a problematic situation or issue that was considered as a crucial concern to be improved systematically. The research was conducted based on Kemmis and McTaggart model as cited in Burns 2010; 7-9 which consist of four steps; planning, action, observation, and reflection. The object of the research was students’ writing ability that was improved through the process approach.

B. Setting of the Research 1.

Place This research was conducted of grade VIII students of SMPN 11 Magelang. The school is located in Jl. Tentara Geni Pelajar, Magelang Utara Kota Magelang. This school has 18 classes consisting of 6 classes used for grade VII, 6