Improving Students' Speaking Achievement for Seventh Grade of SMP Sunan Giri Tlogo Mas Malang through Peer Teaching

By Ahmad Syafii Maarif

CHAPTER I

                                                                  INTRODUCTION

This chapter presents (1) the background of study, (2) research problem, (3) objective of study, (4) scope and limitation of the study, (5) significance of study, and (6) definition of key terms

I.1  Background of Study

English is international language. so there are many countries made English as one of the lesson in their school of education curriculum. There are four basic skills in language. They are speaking, writing, listening and, reading. From all of the skills, speaking is the most important skill , because the main function of language is for communication to  other people . Therefore, it is widely believed that globalization has forced us to improve our English skill. Nunan (1991:39) explains that “Mastering the art of the speaking is the most important aspect of learning a second or foreign language and success is measured in term of the ability to carry out a conversation in language”.

The facts, there were  many students couldn't speak  English even though  they have been learning English  language for many years. They lack of vocabularies, confidence and afraid to speak English language .  That we were able to  see it ,when the students have been speaking  in fron of their friends 

Our  government made some of action  in improving English for many  years, so English is not only taught in junior and senior high school but also elementary and Kindergarten level. In other hand, the ability of the students to speak or to make conversation is far from the expectation.

In SMP Sunan Giri Tlogo Mas Malang  , The researcher found some of problems in the process of learning and  studying of  English. The teacher of  English in Class used conventional method  such as: pattern oriented ,drilling and  memorizing ,so made boring in the class that influence to capability of students

The researcher  asked Question  to students about learning and studying english in class so, 12 students answered  dislike English very much  , 8 students was  little bit not interested,  7 students was interest ,   all in all The students had low motivation of English. If this condition no response it will be harm in education

Students of SMP Sunan Giri Tlogo Mas Malang was interested to study by group and peer work. so the method that suitable to Students is group work  specially peer-Teaching ,because they will enjoy with the process of learning and studying .Harmer(1992:166)) explained that “it promotes learner autonomy by allowing students to make there own decisions in group without being told what to do by teacher”.

In the fact, some of students think that learning English especially in speaking skill is very difficult. There are some factors for it: the process or method of learning and studying of English  is boring , so that it will influence their ability in learning English such as :  become a passive student and there is no effort to improve their ability. Then, this is homework for a teacher of English to have an extraordinary ways to make the students interested in learning English, especially in speaking. As Hasanah (in Eduard, 2009:5) says that the passiveness of the students was caused by internal and external factors. Internal factors cover of lack motivation, lack of vocabulary, reluctance to express the ideas. While external factors covers no variation of teaching method, large classes, and uninteresting topics.

Based on the background above, the researcher proposes a method that can be taken into consideration to improve speaking ability at SMP Sunan Giri Tlogo Mas  Malang by applying an interesting method that is Peer Teaching. 

One reason to use this method in the class is, this method is a wonderful method that involves students learning from and with each other in ways which are mutually beneficial and involve sharing knowledge, ideas and experience between participants (Lyn Longaretti, Sally Godinho, Graham Parr & Jeni Wilson (The University of Melbourn-2010)). From those reasons, the study is conducted to improve students’ speaking ability of grade seventh SMP Sunan Giri Tlogo Mas Malang 

I.2  Research Problem

Based on the background of the study, the problem is formulated as follows: “How can  peer-Teaching method improve  English speaking ability of  seventh grade students  of SMP Sunan Giri Tlogo Mas Malang ?

I.3  Objective of Study

                   The objective of study is describe how can  improve student’s speaking ability of seventh SMP Sunan Giri Tlogo Mas Malang  by using peer

 teaching method

1.4 Scope and limitation of the study

In this research is only focusing on applying Peer Teaching method for seventh grade students of SMP Sunan Giri Tlogo Mas Malang. Because the students have dificulity in speaking lesson  So that way the resercher make one method that suitable for students to  improve speaking capability of  seventh grade of SMP Sunan Giri by using Peer Teaching  method,  so the research can easier because it focus on one methodh to improve speking skill

1.5 Significance of the study

            This research is expected to give description for English teacher and to help them to create and carry out a suitable method or strategy to teach English especially for speaking. The researcher hopes that the research finding will be useful for the teacher in order to know about students condition and how to improve their teaching and learning process in the class specifically in speaking.

On the other hand, the finding will be useful for the students to find the most suitable way or method  in learning speaking English language . 

I.6        Definition of key term

To avoid misinterpretation, it is necessary to give some explanation on several terms that will be used in this study. The definitions are:

a)      Improving means become or make better (Oxford, 1991:209); or making the student better such as in their ability or in their grade. In this research improving in speaking means increasing speaking ability from all aspect in the speaking (pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, )

b)      Speaking is the ability of communication

c)      Peer teaching is one of method of learning that the student as the actor and center, one student to be  a tutor in one group.