AN ANALYSIS OF THE EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS’ SPEAKING ABILITY IN DOING DIALOGUE AT SMPN 12 PADANG

Abstrak

The purpose of this research was to describe the eighth grade students’ speaking ability in doing dialogue at SMPN 12 Padang. In doing the dialogue students should consider 5 aspects, they are; topic (content), grammar, pronunciation,and fluency.

The population of this research was the eighth grade students of SMPN 12 Padang. The total numbers of sample were sixty four (64) students chosen by cluster random sampling technique. The data were collected through speaking test by asking them to choose one of five alternative topics to do dialogue in front of the class. To know reliability of the test researcher used Pearson Product Moment formula in Arikunto, the result is the test was reliable (0.70 high correlation).

The result of this study showed that in general the speaking ability of the eighth grade students of SMPN 12 Padang in doing dialogue was moderate. It was proved that 82% students had moderate ability. In detail, the students’ ability in expressing topic (content)  was moderate (85%), students’ ability in grammar was moderate (80%), students’ ability in vocabulary was moderate (81%), students’ ability in pronunciation was moderate (61%), students’ fluency ability was moderate (62%).

The researcher give suggestion to the teachers to give more time for students to practice speaking skill. The teacher can consider the appropriate way to improve students’ speaking ability. Since the students’ ability was moderate, it is suggested to the students to practice more. Furthermore, the researcher suggests to the other researcher to find out the students’ difficulties in doing dialogue.

Key Words: speaking ability, doing dialogue,