THE INFLUENCE OF ENGLISH DAY TOWARDS STUDENTS’ SPEAKING SKILL AT THE EIGHTH GRADERS

Abstract

This research was carried out in order to find out what the influence of English Day towards students’ speaking skill of the eighth graders of SMP Al-Azhar Palu. This research applied descriptive research design. The research subjects was the eighth graders of SMP Al-Azhar Palu. The number was 33 students. The data of the research were collected by carrying out an interview, questionnaire and documentation. The study indicated that the students have positive attitudes towards the role of English Day in developing their speaking skill. This can be seen from the result of interview. The result of the questionnaire also suggested that there were60 % students who strongly agreed that English day improves their English particularly on their speaking skill and 51.51% students strongly agree that English Day motivates the students to speak English. Statistical analysis indicated students’ English ability had improved. In psychomotoric domain, there were only 24.24% students who can reach the score on 3.50 while in the second semester there were 63.63% students who can reach the score on 3.50. In cognitive domain, in the first semester, there were 36.36% students who can reach the score on 3.40 while in second semester there were 81.81% students who can reach 3.40.English day also open their mind that learning English is fun and enjoyable, has big expectations towards English day for being one of their English learning media legally. The researcher concluded that English day is very effective and innovative in facilitating the students to have a new way in learning English.

Key words: Influence; English Day; Speaking skill.