The Use of Learning Community to Improve Student’s Speaking Skill at Grade XI 2 Building Drawing of SMK Negeri 2 Solok

Based on the observation done by researcher in his school, it was found that the students had problem in speaking skill English which must be solved by doing a research. They got difficulties in expressing their English everyday and making dialogue with their friends in learning English. As the result, they were difficult in learning and mastering English. To overcome this problem the researcher conducted this research through using Learning Community. The purpose of the research is to know whether the students’ speaking ability could be improved by using learning community and to know the students’ perceptions in learning speaking skill through learning community at grade XI building drawing of SMK Negeri 2 Solok. The participants of this research were the elevent grade students of building drawing department at SMK Negeri 2 Solok. In doing this reseach, the researcher carried out Classroom Action Research (CAR) through the use of Learning Community which consisted of two cycles. Each cycle involved four stages: planning, acting, observing and reflecting. The problem was taken from the researcher’s class. The instrument used to collect the data were speaking test, observation check list, and field note. This research consisted of 8 meetings of 2 cycles. The first and the second cycles consisted 4 meetings. In each meeting was applied plan, action, observation, and reflection. The result of speaking test during the first cycle there was not satisfactory. Most of the students still got difficulty in speaking, especially in pronunciation and fluency. Furthermore, most of the students did not participate in their group, instead of only some of them could participate. That was the reason that the researcher needed to continue the research to the second cycle. At the second cycle, it seemed that students‘ speaking English was better after analyzing the students speaking test. Almost all of the students could participate in their group. They were active in teaching and learning process. It seemed that they enjoyed studying in their group. They could share idea, do interaction, and participate the language expression. The research finding on the results in the first cycle in the second meeting, it stated that the mean score the activity was done in the classroom as well as in the second cycle. However, compared to the activity was done outside the classroom, the students’ score were improved. It was due to condition of the students which were more serious to share idea, learn together, and help other members of each group outside the classroom. Beside, the condition of teaching and learning process was more active. Hopefully, this research could be significant input for English teachers in teaching speaking, especially at Vocational High School.