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research, they were observed by H, the English Teacher, in their English lesson especially in listening class.
The class is so comfortable. There were tables and chairs as many as the students’ amount. The class is also completed with a wall screen, a LCD and two
speakers to support the teaching learning processes.
B. Why Action Research
1. Definition of Action Research
In conducting the study, the writer used action research method. According to Wiersma 2000: P.11 Action research is a research usually
conducted by the teachers, administrators, or other educational professionals for solving a specific problem or for providing information for decision making at the
local level. Grundy and Kemmis 1981 in Grundy 1988 state that “There are
three minimal requirements for action research. These requirements incorporate the goals of improvement and involvement which characterize any action research
project”. Furthermore according to Kemmis and Taggart in Nunan 1992:18 argue that action research is a piece of descriptive research carried out by a techer
in his or her own classroom, without the involvement of others, which is aimed at increasing our understanding rather than changing the phenomenon under
investigation. From those statements, it can be said that action research is included in descriptive research. Action research is done by teachers in their own classroom
and the purpose of research is to improve the quality of teaching learning process. While Burns 1993: 30 states that action research is the application of
fact finding to practical problem solving in social situation with a view to
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improving the quality of action within it, involving the collaboration and co- operation of researchers, practitioners and laymen. Based on the statements above,
it can be drawn an inference that action research is carried out in school to enhance the teaching learning process in order that the students’ achievements are
satisfactory. The fundamental objective of action research is to improve practice rather than to produce knowledge. It is carried out to feed practical judgment in
concrete situations. There are many advantages of conducting action research. They are as
follows: 1.
The teacher will be more challenged to solve the problem 2.
It gives opportunity for the teacher to adapt the theory which they get in the practices.
3. The result of the study is more significant.
4. It brings the research research finding that is really needed in the classroom
5. It gives opportunity for the teacher to do the professional practices.
6. It gives scientific process in practices needed to solve daily problems.
The purpose of the research is to improve the students’ motivation and achievement in learning English and can give the best solution from the problem
that appears during the teaching and learning process on the tenth grade of class X 2 of SMA Batik 1 Surakarta, especially in listening comprehension. This class
Action Research is carried out by the teacher herself as researcher.
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2. Characteristics of Action Research
