An Analysis of the Second Year Students’ Speaking Ability to Describe Animal Using Picture at SMP N 34 Padang

Abstrak

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to describe the second year students’ speaking ability to describe animal using picture at SMPN 34 Padang. In describing animal, students should consider 5 aspects, they are the ability in expressing content of describing animal, using the correct grammar in sentences, using appropriate vocabulary, pronouncing the words correctly, and students’ fluency in describing animal. The population of this research was the second year students of SMPN 34 Padang. The total number of sample member was thirty (30) students chosen by using cluster random sampling technique. The data were collected through speaking test by asking them to describe animal using a picture orally. To make the test reliable, the writer tried out the test. It was found that the reliability index of the test was high (.74). It means the test was reliable. Then the test was valid in terms of content validity. The result of this research showed that in general the speaking ability of the second year students of SMPN 34 Padang to describe animal using picture was high. It was proved by finding that 53.3% students had high ability. In detail, the students’ ability in expressing content of describing animal using picture was low, students’ ability in using grammar in sentences was high, students’ ability in using appropriate vocabulary in describing animal using picture was high, students’ pronouncing the word in describing animal using picture was low, and student’s fluency in describing animal using picture was low.

Key words: Speaking, Ability, Describing Animal,Grammar, Vocabulary, Pronunciation, Fluency.