IMPROVING STUDENTS’ VOCABULARY MASTERY THROUGH WORD WALLS STRATEGY TO THE EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS OF SMP SWASTA KARYA BHAKTI MEDAN

This study is aimed to improve students’ vocabulary mastery through word walls strategy. This strategy is one of appropriate strategies in improving students’ vocabulary mastery. The subject of this study is the eighth grade students of SMP Swasta Karya Bhakti Medan Class VIII A in the Academic Year of 2016/2017. This study was conducted by applying Classroom Action Research (CAR), which was performed in two cycles (cycle I and Cycle II) and each cycle consisted of three meetings. The instruments of collecting data were quantitative data (vocabulary tests) and qualitative data (observation sheets, daily notes, and photograph evidences). The results of vocabulary tests showed that the mean of the students’ score increased continuously from pre-test (8 %), formative test in cycle I (44 %) to post-test in cycle II (92 %). The observation sheets, daily notes, and photograph evidences showed that the students are interested in the teaching and learning processes through word walls strategy and this study ran well. It was found that word walls strategy could improve students’ vocabulary mastery. It is suggested that teachers of English should apply word walls strategy as one of the strategies in teaching vocabulary mastery

THE USE OF DIGITAL STORYTELLING TO ENHANCE THE SPEAKING SKILL OF THE ELEVENTH GRADE STUDENTS OF SMA SWASTA PALAPA MEDAN IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR OF 2020/2021

This research was conducted in order to improve students’ speaking skill by using digital storytelling at SMA Swasta Palapa Medan. Digital storytelling is the combination of recount text, sound effects, music, images, videos and InShot Application. This is Classroom Action Research (henceforth, CAR). The research subjects of this CAR are the eleventh grade students of SMA Swasta Palapa Medan in Class MIPA in the Academic Year of 2020/2021. The research findings showed that teaching speaking skill through digital storytelling at SMA Swasta Palapa Medan could improve the students’ speaking skill. The result of each test showed that the students’ mean score in pre-test is 55.74 with 11% of the students got score ≥70, in formative test the mean score is 64,44 with 37% of the students got score ≥70, and in post-test the mean score is 81,11 with 93% of the students got score ≥70. The writer concluded that the use of digital storytelling could improve the speaking skill of SMA Swasta Palapa Medan. On the other hand, the students’ responses towards the method of the teaching sound good because above 80% of the students are interested, motivated and enthusiastic in learning English speaking skill through the use of digital storytelling

APPLYING MURDER TECHNIQUE TO IMPROVE STUDENTS’ READING COMPREHENSION OF THE SEVENTH GRADE STUDENTS OF SMP SANTO THOMAS 1 MEDAN IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR OF 2020/2021

The aim of this study is to find whetever Murder technique works effectively on improving students’ reading comprehension and to describe the students’ responses towards the application of Murder technique in the learning teaching processes of reading comprehension. The subject of the study in the seventh grade students of SMP Santo Thomas 1 Medan in the Academic Year of 2020/2021 consisting 32 students of class VII-A. This study  was conducted by applying Classroom Action Research (henceforth CAR). The result of the test showed that the students’  mean  score in pre-test is 55,00  with 16% of students got ≥ 70, in formative test is 68,13 with 38% of students got score ≥ 70, and 83,13 in post test  with 100% of students got score ≥ 70. The qualitative data analysis showed that the students’ responses after being taught by using Murder Technique are very good. The percentage students who strongly agree is 26 (81%), agree is 27 (84%), there is no students choose strongly disagree and disagree. It is suggested that the English teachers use Murder Technique as an alternative technique in teaching reading to the students in Junior High School in order to improve their students’ reading comprehension