Improving Students’ Speaking Ability Through Self- talk Strategy at the Third Grade of Students in SMAN 1 Parlilitan

Abstract

The objective of this study was to improve the speaking abilities of third-grade students at SMAN 1 Parlilitan. The subjects in this research were XII Mia II, a group of 24 students. This research consisted of two cycles and each cycles consisted of two meetings. The focus of this research was to use the self-talk strategy to help students enhance their speaking abilities. The researcher used quantitative data and it was taken from the students’ score in pre-test, post-test I, and post-test II. The results of the data analysis revealed that using the self-talk strategy strategy improved students' speaking abilities significantly. It can be seen from the students’ score in every cycle. In Pre-Test, there were only 20.83% (5 students) whose score up to 75. In Post-Test I, there was 54.16% on the percentage of students whose score up 75 (13 students), while in Post-Test II there were 95% students whose score up 75 (23 students). From the data analysis, It proved that the students' speaking abilities had improved. It can be seen from the mean of Post-Test II was 80.87. In other words, students’ speaking ability has improved.