IMPROVING ENGLISH SPEAKING SKILLS THROUGH FLASHCARD MEDIA ON THE TOPIC DIALOGUE ABOUT HOBBIES IN CLASS VIII N

Abstrak

This Classroom Action Research (CAR) was designed to improve the English speaking skills of eighth-grade students at Nurul Jadid Junior High School by utilizing flashcards that emphasize dialogues about hobbies. The background is that students' speaking skills are still low, reflected in the average pre-test score of 74.5 (rounded to 75.0), which is triggered by the lack of interactive exercises and limited vocabulary mastery. This research was conducted in two cycles during the 2023/2024 academic year, using qualitative and quantitative methods with the steps of planning, implementing actions, observation, and reflection. The flashcards used were made with pictures and simple dialogues, such as "What is your hobby? I like cooking." Data were collected through speaking tests, observation sheets, and questionnaires to obtain feedback from students. The results showed significant progress, with post-test scores increasing to 82.2 (rounded to 83.0) in Cycle I and 90.0 (rounded to 90.2) in Cycle II. In addition, student participation and their self-confidence also developed positively. Challenges such as shyness and lack of self-confidence can be overcome through group discussions. These findings confirm that flashcards are effective in supporting interactive English learning, in line with a communicative approach. This research contributes to the development of creative teaching strategies and suggests the increased use of visual media in classroom learning activities .