Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Improving Students’ Speaking Skill through Simulation Technique at SMA Darul Ulum 2 Unggulan BPPT Peterongan Jombang Academic Year 2013/2014

By Umarok
Abstract
The study was aimed to investigate how Simulation technique can be implemented to improve speaking skill of the tenth grade students of SMA Darul Ulum 2 Unggulan BPPT Peterongan Jombang who faced the problems in speaking. It is very important to conduct this classroom action research because of the students’ speaking skill in English was low. It was proved by the students’ speaking score. The score was under passing grade (6/B-).The simulation is entertaining. Because of the reason, the researcher is interested in choosing simulation activity as the teaching technique applied in this action research. It motivated the students and increase their self-confidence. There are four steps that the teacher conducted in simulation process; (1) Orientation, (2) Participant training, (3) Simulation operation, (4) Participating debriefing. The main data were about students’ improvement in speaking skill. It was measured by giving speaking test to the students. In the first cycle the score of students’ speaking performance was only 76.19% or 16 students get more than passing grade, from the total of students are 21 students, so it must be continued in the second cycle. In the second cycle the teacher revised some problems which the students faced in conducting simulation technique; he asked  the student  for making their group by themselves and drilled the students’ pronunciation and asked the students’ difficulty in pronouncing the word. Then the teacher explained the use of grammar in detailed. He also managed the time so the simulation activity can run optimally. And the score was increased to 95.24% of students or 20 students got score more than 6/B-. For student’s activities in speaking skill learning process. It was measured speaking observation. In the first cycle the score of student’s activities performance was only 65%, and for the second cycle improved 82%
Keywords: speaking skill, simulation
In this era, English in used as international language for business, tourism, political and international relationship. Language is the most significant possession of human being to do communication in conveying and sharing idea, feeling, emotion, and information to people both in spoken and written forms. Language has is an instrument of communication among the human being. People use the language to express their minds, wishes, and ideas. Because of its importance, the people have to study it correctly to communicate with their relationship whether it is used as the common communication or business communication. The use of language can be in the forms of written or spoken as we find in a daily life context.
            Related to the text above Richard and Renandya (2002, p. 90) states that a large percentage of the world’s language learners study English in order to develop proficiency in speaking. This is caused by the function of speaking that cover many aspect of human interaction, Such as involved expressing ideas and opinion, expressing a wish or a desire to do something, negotiating, solving a particular problem, establishing and building social relationship and friendship, maintaining business or other professional reasons. those are just a few reasons why people may wish to speak, and then it seems fair to assume that speaking  skills play a large part in this overall skills.
Broughton (2003, p. 1) states that English is an international language and most people in the world use it. It is the most broadly studied as foreign language in the world. Because of that Indonesia efforts to learn the science knowledge. This fact can also be seen in Indonesia. English is learnt widely either for general of specific purpose in formal as well as information and education from the elementary school up to junior and senior high school as well as universities or colleges..
Although for increasing mastering English, the Indonesia education department  gives  time for student to study English from Basic school till University, and English is one of the subject must be examined Nationally, since in Junior high school and senior high school. and Indonesia had made decision that English language is one of foreign language. It means that Indonesia does not use English as first or second language; English is used by several interests only. If the people want to go abroad or work in abroad, they learn English language practice.  So it is very difficult to develop foreign language includes English subject.
For increasing national education competence, education department made new curriculum called Kurikulum Tingkat Satuan Pendidikan ( KTSP ) or School Based Curriculum (SBC), it means that  teaching subjects in Indonesia based on standard of contents of Vocational high school. it means that every school can develop their school based on the school in take. Or the school frees to use their capability to increase student progress. It means that the school can increase the communicative competence both oral and written forms to achieve good competence in speaking.  To reach this goal need several competence that involves four skills; listening, speaking writing and reading.
Consequently, speaking skill in learning English is a priority for many second-language or foreign-language learners. English learners often evaluate their success in language learning as well as the effectiveness of their English course on the basis of how much they feel they have improved in their spoken language proficiency. Considering how important speaking skill in learning English, Richard and Renandya, (2002, p. 230) in this case reminds English teachers by saying’s speaking is one of the central elements of communication. In EFL (English Foreigner Language) teaching, it has an aspect that needs special attention, it is necessary for a teacher of EFL to carefully examine the factors, condition and components that underline speaking effectiveness. Effective instruction derived from the careful analysis of this area, together with sufficient language input and speech-promotion activities with gradually help learners improve their English speaking ability.
It is obvious that although speaking is one of four language skills to be taught in SMA, it is often ignored by the teachers. This can be caused by many teachers spend too much time on teaching reading, writing even some linguistic components such as structure, vocabulary than teaching English as means of communication written or orally. Moreover, since the evaluation of the students’ achievement especially in final exam, mostly focuses on reading comprehension and is presented in the written form, therefore, in their attempts to enable to do National Examination most their teachers concentrate their teaching on reading and writing skills. Speaking skill, on the other hand, only gets less attention and time during teaching learning process. Surprisingly, at the tenth grade of social program 2 or  ( kelas sepuluh program ilmu sosial dua ) of Senior High School speaking has great portions of language that focused on developing skills of students not turned to promote reading and writing skills. Among those skills, speaking seems to be an important skill that learners should acquire.
According to Kasbolah (1993, p. 2) the passiveness of the students was cause by internal and external factors. Internal factors cover lack of motivation, lack of vocabulary, reluctance to express the idea, while external factors cover no variation of teaching method, large class, and uninteresting topic.
However, the fact shows that the student’s English speaking ability or performance in SMA Darul Ulum 2 Unggulan BPPT Peterongan Jombang specially in tenth  grade of social program 2 was very low. If it was seen from the result of analysis of daily test and quizzes; only 10 students (47.62%) of students got score above of  passing grade or in Indonesian  KKM (Kreteria Ketuntasan Minimal)  is 6 / B-, while those who got less than  6 / B- were 11 students (52.38%). Many students still had difficulties in communicating in English orally, although they had been learning English for two years. Based on the researcher’s observation as an English teacher, it was caused by some reasons. Many students stated that they were passive and reluctant to speak English because they had neither idea to express not confidence for the target topic. They tended to be nervous when they were facing students. In which they were supposed to communicate using English orally. Some others said that they were afraid of making mistakes in both grammar and pronunciation so their friends were laughing at them that then made them ashamed, and of course it made them stupid in front of their friends and their teacher.
From the above explanation, the researcher concluded some cases in relation to the passiveness of the students in communicating in English can be explained that  Students’ low ability in speaking. The result of the preliminary study showed that most of the tenth grade students of senior high school still had difficulties to communicate in English orally although they have been learning English since they were in elementary school. They were hardly able to speak English during the teaching and learning activities, even when they were asked to use English in the form of simple expression. Besides, many students tended to preserve themselves in silence during the question and answer activities and if they were asked to answer a question, they frequently used Indonesian to answer it.
 Students’ lack of confidence to communicate in English. In relation to the fear of making mistakes as stated in the above point, the students did not seem to be very confident about their abilities to use the language. In this case the students often felt insecure to communicate in English. This problem might occur because of the psychological aspect since they were teenagers and get easily embarrassed about talking in front of others in formal class context.
The above evidence indicates that it is important to create learning situation with various teaching techniques. “A well-prepared teacher will know what is likely to attract and stimulate his class. He will have planned his class not just on the basis on what activities are suitable (on that day of time), what skills have to be thought, in other words, about what the most effective thing for the class will be” (Harmer, 2002, p. 214). Thus, by having and enjoyable situation with more time for practice, it is expected that the students’ speaking ability will improve. The teacher has to be able to make the learning process exciting and enjoyable as stated by Duan, L. (2002, p. 19) that language learning can be dull, especially if the learners feel little real need to be learning the foreign lenguage anyway. The personality and enthusiasm of the teacher is probably the most important single factor in enlivening a lesson, but the learning process itself should be exciting and enjoyable.
Considering the importance of speaking ability for the language learners, the researcher thought that some efforts need to be done to improve students’ speaking skill so that the students would be able to develop their speaking ability.
So by using simulation technique in this classroom action research can help the researcher to improve the learning  process quality. Rochiati (2005, p. 245)
In order to teach second language learners, how to speak in the best way possible, there are many activities which can promote speaking are provided in communicative method like role play, simulation, information gap, storytelling, interview, story completion. In this opportunity, the researcher is interested in choosing simulation activity as the teaching technique that will be applied in this action research because simulation is entertaining, they motivated the students and increase them self-confidence of hesitant students.
Simulation is very similar to role-plays but what makes simulation different than role plays is that they are more complex. In simulation, students can bring items to the class to create a realistic environment. For instance, if a student is acting as a singer, he brings a microphone to sing and soon. Simulation encourages students to actively participate in the teaching learning process because this activity provides a way of creating a rich communicative environment where students actively become part of some real worls systems and functions according to the predetermined roles as members of that group. Simulation increases students’ self-confidence because in simulation activities, students have different roles and do not speak themselves. It means that they do not have to take the same responsibility. By using simulation, students expected to be able to speak English actively, creatively and confidently.
The student activities is so dynamic in the learning process because the students are involved directly and the student can make the student accustomed to understand the story or the real problem and this case called learning implementation based on contextual learning. By grouping learning can make personal relationship well and also can increase their imagination.
Thus, simulation used to improve the students’ speaking skills. tenth grade of social program 2 in SMA Darul Ulum 2 Unggulan BPPT Jombang East Java, Indonesia is chosen because the researcher teaches in this class so the researcher  can do the research well.

Method
The purpose of this study is to describe how the simulation can be applied to improve the students’ speaking skill in the teaching and learning English of the tenth grade of social program 2 of  students at SMA Darul Ulum 2 Unggulan BPPT Peterongan Jombang.

Design
In this methodology the researcher acted as a teacher because this study make use of classroom action research which is further defined as a cyclic process of action.
Kemmis and Mc. Taggart in Tukiran (2012, p. 24) state that classroom action is one cycle that consist of four element. They are: planning (theory formulation), action (intervention was carried out), Observation (Data collection and intervention), and Reflection (Data analysis). It was necessary to note IR (preliminary study) used in classroom action study, Which refers to a pre-test in speaking skill. To make clear, the design at the action study could be described as follow:
  Cycle I → IR → P1 → A1 → O1 → R1
  Cycle II → RP → P2 → A2 → O2 → R2

Preparing Lesson Plan
The researcher uses the concept of Joyce and Weil. (1996, p. 441).The preparation involves the follows; first preparation is preparing a suitable technique. The simulation technique applied in the classroom as follow; (1) Orientation. The activities are present the topic of the simulation and explain the concept of the simulation, (2) Participant training. The activities are setting the scenario (rule, role, procedure, scoring types of decisions to be made and goal) (3) Simulation Operations. The activities are conduct activity, feedback and evaluation of performance and effect of decisions), (4) Participating Debriefing. The activities are summarizing event and perceptions, summarize difficulties and insight, analyze process and compare simulation activity to the real world.
            The second preparation is providing lesson plan of teaching – learning speaking through simulation technique the lesson Plan were designed for two meetings of which each was focused on the use of simulation as a model to solve the problem of students’ speaking ability. The teaching learning activities were developing according to lesson plan design. Each meeting takes 2 x 45 minutes.
            The researcher divides the teaching learning process into three stages for each meeting namely; opening activity, main activities involves pre-speaking, whilst speaking, post speaking and closing activity.
            There were some activities   opening activity such as greeting and checking the students’ attendance list, review the last lesson and give the information about the lesson will be studied.
            In the pre – speaking, the speaking activities included explaining about the topic. The researcher asked the students to practice the dialogue that the teacher gives in group. Then the teacher drilled the pronunciation of the students. This is done to minimize student’s error in pronunciation.
            In the whilst speaking included four steps in simulation process. First step is orientation. The teaching strategies in orientation are (1) the teacher asks the students to gather  a group that has been organized by the researcher. (2) The teacher explains the concept of the narrative of the simulation; teacher used various simulations activities in each meeting. The researcher uses survey simulation which implemented in the first meeting and the researcher uses socio drama simulation in the third step. Second step is participant training. The teaching strategies in participant training are (1) the teacher distributes the topic based on the situation in the story (2) the researcher asks the students to discuss the simulation preparation are presented in a group. (3) Simulation operation. These activities are done in the third step, the teaching strategy in simulation operation is the students performe the simulation about the topic given in a group. The last step is participant debriefing.
           
Determining the criteria of success
The teacher in deciding the criteria of success, the researcher adapted to the objective of the study that was to improve the student’s speaking skill. Thus the criteria were designed as the measurement whether the implementation of simulation of role play strategy in improving speaking skill had succeeded or failed.
The criteria of success are based on the teacher’s test during the action. The criteria should be related with the purpose of the study. The criteria of success were; (a) the student were active and motivated to communicate after implementation of simulation of role play strategy and (b) the students had average score minimum same with passing grade score is 6 / B-. the fluency = 6 – 10, pronunciation =  6 – 10, grammar accurcy =  6 – 10, vocal =  6 – 10, comprehension =  6 – 10, expression =  6 – 10. There are 6 components, fluency, pronunciation, grammar accuracy and comprehension in 25 scale ( scale of fluency 1 – 10, pronunciation 1 – 10, grammar accuracy 1 – 10, comprehension 1 – 10 and expression 1 – 10 )
To measure the students’ conversation in speaking skill, the researcher evaluated the students’speaking performance. “To keep the objectivity of scoring, there should be a scoring guide as criteria of success for giving the students’ speaking score.  See table of speaking performance model of testing for language teachers” (Brown, 2004, p. 131)

Action
Implementing the previously planned teaching scenario is the main activity in this classroom action study. In line with the objective of the study, action or classroom activities refers to what the research really do in the classroom setting during the process of teaching speaking by using simulation technique. The researcher will attempt to manage and conduct the previously planned classroom activities in the teaching scenario, so that the objectives of teaching speaking for each session can be most effectively and efficiently attained. There are three main activities that the researcher will do in the classroom, they are: pre- activity, whilst activity, and post activity.

Reflection
Reflection is a term that refers to a post test. The present classroom action  study is divided into 2 cycles and each cycle consists of 4 interconnected sessions. Reflection is administered during the post activities or each session. At the end of action, their mastery will be tested to know ether their mastery it getting better or improve. The result of the entire whole reflections of post-test in cycle I are used as feedback and basis to plan the actions in cycle II much better. During the action the researcher will observe directly the student’s interest and involvement in teaching and learning process. This action research stated by Kemmis and Mc. Taggart in Tukiran (2012, p. 24) research which has a cycle, consist of Planning, Action, Observation, Reflection, which is done repeatedly. It can be drowning on in the following picture; 
The researcher plans if the result is good, it means if the 85 % the total of students can pass or same with the  passing grade (6 / B-)  the classroom  action  research will be stopped, but the result of cycle 1 is not good, it means if the score  under 85% the total of student cannot pass the passing grade (6 / B-) the classroom action research will be continued.

Result
Finding in Cycle 1
The result of the analysis of the student’s speaking performance in cycle I showed that the student’s mean scores in each element of speaking were higher than the determined score from preliminary study (table 1).


Table C.1.1 The Improvement of the Student’s Mean Score in Each Element of Speaking.

No
Element of Speaking
Mean Score of Preliminary Study
Mean Score of Cycle I
Improve
ment
1
Pronunciation
4.84
5.86
1.02
2
Grammar
5.24
6.03
0.79
3
Vocabulary
6.19
6.55
0.36
4
Fluency
6.17
6.88
0.71
5
Comprehension
6.79
7.19
1.00
6
Expression
0
7.36
7.36

The data above was the result of observation form. It could be conclude that most of the students liked with the simulation technique that they have been taught. Most of them show the interest and enthusiasm in joining the simulation activity

Besides the data of the improvement of the student’s mean score in each sparking element. The researcher also presented data of the computation of passing grade in cycle I (table C.1.2).

Table C.1.2. Computation of Passing Grade in Cycle I
No
Explanation
Passing Grade
Number of Students
Percentage
1
Above  6/B-
6 / B -
16
76.19
2
Below  6/B-
6 / B -
5
23.81

From the table above. it could be seen that there was 76.19% students could pass the passing grade. 23.81% still could not pass the passing grade (6/B-). This means that those who had  achieved the passing grade were bigger in number than those who had not achieved it. There are five students who failed and need the good solution and the right treatment. The researcher analyzed that the problem is  in pronunciation and grammar that got lower mean score.

Table C.1.3 Observation Form (for Students) in Cycle I.

No
Activity Type & Description
Percentage of 21 respondents in meeting
Average Score
Researcher
Collaborator
1
Showing the interest and enthusiasm in joining the simulation activity
66%

66%

66%
2
Actively involved in group
69%

71%

70%
3
Active in helping each other
69%

69%

69%
4
Active in asking and answering the questions
65%

69%

67%
5
Active in using English
65%

65%

65%

Based on the table above stated that the students 66% were showing the interest and enthusiasm in joining the simulation activity. 70% students actively involved in group. 69% active in helping each other. 67% active in asking and answering the questions. and from the data above. only 65% active in using English.

Finding in Cycle 2
The result of the analysis of the student’s speaking performance in cycle II showed that the student’s mean scores in each element of speaking were higher than the determined score from cycle I (table C.2.1).
Table C.2.1 The Improvement of the Student’s Mean Score in Each Element of Speaking.

No
Element of Speaking
Mean Score of Cycle I
Mean Score of Cycle II
Improvement
1
Pronunciation
5.86
6.48
0.62
2
Grammar
6.03
6.56
0.53
3
Vocabulary
6.55
6.88
0.33
4
Fluency
6.88
7.29
0.41
5
Comprehension
7.19
7.43
0.24
6
Expression
7.36
7.67
0.31

The data above was the result of questionnaire given to the students. It could be concluded that all of the students liked studying through the simulation technique. All of them agreed that simulation activity help them develop their speaking skills effectively. They also agreed that simulation technique very interesting and easy to be done.
Table C.2.2 Computation of Passing Grade in Cycle II.
No
Explanation
Passing Grade
Number of Students
Percentage
1
Above 6/B-
6/B-
20
95.24%
2
Below 6/B-
6/B-
1
04.76%

Based on the result of the data above. it could be said that the result of the second cycle had fulfilled the intended criteria of success. Moreover. it was found that the student’s speaking score for all the speaking elements improved.


Table C.2.3. Observation Form (for Students) in Cycle II

No
Activity Type & Description
Percentage of 21 respondents in meeting
Average
Score
Reseacher
Collaborator
1
Showing the interest and enthusiasm in joining the simulation activity
83%
81%
82%
2
Actively involved in group
79%
85%
82%
3
Active in helping each other
82%
83%
83%
4
Active in asking and answering the questions
80%
81%
81%
5
Active in using English
83%
86%
85%

The table above stated that there is significantly improvement from cycle I. the students. 82% were showing the interest and enthusiasm in joining the simulation activity. 82% students actively involved in group. 83% active in helping each other. 81%  active in asking and answering the questions. and from the data above. 85% active in speaking by using English.

Discussion
Based on the finding of the research proved that the implementation of simulation technique could improve the student’s speaking skill. After the tehnique was implemented in two cycles. The student’s speaking skill was gradually improved. The teacher did some ways to improve student’s speaking skill based on the problems found in cycle one. First. he drilled the student’s pronunciation one by one so the students understand how the correct pronunciation. Second. the teacher explained the material and the grammar clearly. Third. he managed the time effectively. so the simulation ran optimally. After the treatment. the result of the student’s speaking performance showed that there were 95.24% of students had fulfilled the intended criteria of success. Moreover. it was found that the student’s speaking score for all the speaking elements improved.
The result of observation and questionnaire showed that student’s involvement in teaching and learning process improved. Before the implementation of the technique. the students tended to be passive when they joined the English class especially in speaking class. They felt shy and reluctant to speak up and to express their idea orally. After implementing the technique in two cycles. the criteria of success had been achieved.
For a simulation to work it must have the following characteristic. reality of function (the students must not think of themselves as students. but as real participant in the situation); a simulated environment (the teacher said that the classroom is an airport check in area); structure (students must see how the activity is constructed and they must be given the necessary to carry out the simulation effectively).
Simulation technique is used to thinking and learning tool for the students to socialize the low grade. Simulation should be viewed as an activity to get the learning experience. The use of simulation should be associated with learning course content (skills. understanding of concepts and values). And learning the course content should be related to the actual facts of life. In the simulation. the role played by students should be clear. If things had happened in the simulated. Then the variable or the background of the situation that exists in people’s lived need to be introduced first (Harmer. 2007, p. 353).
Through the simulation the teacher is able to create a good of learning. The cooperative learning classroom. especially in simulation which has many type in team work strongly effected student’s interest to learn for within it they were widely and equally. provided opportunities to involve in the learning process. They were provided with the class atmosphere which they responsible for their own learning. The interest of learning will increase if the learning condition is interesting and enjoyable (Richard and Renandya, 2002, p. 10).
It is proved by the data observation showing that there were few students who were actively before the implementation of this technique. Gradually the data showed an improving in the number of students who were active in speaking activity. there were almost all of the students. Therefore, it can be concluded that simulation is very applicable to teach speaking.
The others advantage of this technique is that simulation in promoting cooperation helps the classroom to become more relaxed and friendly place. also it is relatively quick and easy to organize the students. (Harmer. 2007, p. 116). This situation is very helpful for the students who are shy or afraid of making mistakes in both grammar and pronunciation so that it allows them to interact with their friend in team work. Furthermore, simulation provides the student to practice public speaking using the English more naturally and interactive situation. Finally. it is hoped simulation in speaking activities. English language teachers are able to anticipate the biggest problems they have. That is finding shy students. silent students. passive students and unmotivated students in teaching and learning.

Conclusion
Based on the findings and discussions of this study. it can be concluded that the ise of simulation technique is able to improve the eight year student’s speaking skill so SMA Darul Ulum 2 Unggulan BPPT Peterongan Jombang. It was proved by the result of speaking score through simulation technique which was improved. the students who got the score above passing grade 6 / B- in cycle one was 79.19% in cycle two increased to 95.24%.
The use of simulation technique was successful to improve the student’s speaking skill. It can stimulate and motivate the students to speak actively in English. It also can enhance the student’s activeness in joining the class. They become more active in asking questions. answering questions. paying attention. willingness to speak in front of the class and act based on the role


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