Developing Speaking Skills of the Eighth Grade Students of SMP Negeri 1 Sigi thourgh Small Group Discussion

Abstract

This research examines the impact of the Small Group Discussion (SGD) technique on improving the speaking skills of the eighth-grade students at SMP Negeri 1 Sigi, with particular emphasis on vocabulary, pronunciation, and fluency. Employing a quasi-experimental design, the study compared an experimental group taught using SGD with a control group receiving conventional instruction. Both groups completed pre-tests and post-tests to assess their progress. The data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test, Mann-Whitney U Test, and descriptive statistics. Results showed that the experimental group experienced a significant improvement in all targeted speaking sub-skills, with average scores increasing from 15.14 to 21.14, while the control group showed only a slight improvement from 15.49 to 16.07. Statistical analysis confirmed a highly significant difference (p < 0.05) between the two groups, demonstrating the greater effectiveness of SGD compared to the conventional method in enhancing speaking skills. The study concludes that SGD fosters active engagement and self-confidence, providing a positive and supportive environment for language learning. These findings offer practical insights for English language teaching, endorsing SGD as an effective strategy to boost students' communicative competence.