Improving Students’ Speaking Skill of Transactional Conversation through Role Play Technique at Grade X.5 of SMA PGRI Tembilahan - RIAU

The students’ speaking skill at grade X.5 of SMA PGRI Tembilahan - RIAU was low. Therefore, this research aims to explain the extent to which role play technique can improve the students’ speaking skill of transactional conversation and the factors that influence the changes of students’ speaking skill of transactional conversation by implementing role play technique. This research was a classroom action research, which was conducted in two cycles. The participants were 16 students at grade X.5 of SMA PGRI Tembilahan - RIAU. The instruments used to collect the data were speaking performance test, observation checklist, field note and interview guide. The data were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. The findings reveal that the implementation of role play technique improve the students’ speaking skill of transactional conversation at grade X.5 of SMA PGRI Tembilahan - RIAU. It was shown from the result of the students’ mean score in speaking performance test. The students’ mean score before conducting the research was 48,75. The students’ mean score at the end of cycle 1 was 58,25 and students’ mean score at the end of cycle 2 was 70,5. Besides, it was found the factors that influence the changes of the students’ speaking skill by using role play technique, consists of; First, the use of interesting teaching material and media during implementation of role play technique motivated students to speak. Second, classroom activities during implementation of role play technique make students active and creative in practicing their speaking. Third, group work makes students enjoy to practice their speaking skill and more confident in their performance. Therefore, it can be concluded that role play technique is affective to be implemented in teaching speaking. By applying this technique, the teacher can help students to improve their speaking skill. Besides, interesting teaching material and media, classroom activities and group work influence the improvement of students’ speaking skill at Grade X.5 of SMA PGRI Tembilahan – RIAU.