The Effect of Task-Based Instruction on Students’ Speaking Ability

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to find out the effect of Task-Based Instruction (TBI) on students’ speaking skill at eighth-grade students of SMP N 01 Kota Tegal. A true experimental design was applied in this study. Two classes were randomly selected for the study as the control and experimental groups. Both groups were given speaking pre-test before treatment to find out their speaking ability. The experimental group was taught through TBI for four weeks, while the control group studied the same material through conventional way. After a series of treatment, students were given a post-test similar to the pre-test to assess the effect of TBI on students' speaking ability before and after the treatment. To determine if the test results were statistically significant or not, the paired T-test was used and the results of the tests showed that the experimental group had improved their speaking ability more than the control group. Furthermore, students responded to a questionnaire. The questionnaire data shows that 60% of students agree that TBI helps them to practice speaking English since they have to perform in front of the class by using a various task instruction. In conclusion, TBI has a positive impact on students' speaking ability.