IMPROVING STUDENTS’ LISTENING SKILLS USING ANIMATION VIDEOS FOR THE EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS OF SMP SWASTA BINA INSAN IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR OF 2017/2018

Abstract

The aim of this research was to improve students’ listening skills of grade VIII B students at SMP Swasta Bina Insan in the academic year of  2017/2018 using the animation videos.This research was classified as action research. It was conducted in two cycles with two meetings for each cycle. The main subjects of this research were 32 students of class VIII B at SMP Swasta Bina Insan. The data obtained were qualitative and quantitative. The qualitative data were gained from the observations, interviews with both English teacher and the students, and discussions with the collaborator. The data were transformed into interview transcripts and field notes. Meanwhile, the quantitative data were gained from the listening tests that were conducted before the implementation and after the implementation in Cycle I and Cycle II. There were several validity principles applied in this research; they were democratic validity, outcome validity, process validity, catalytic validity, and dialogic validity. The actions implemented in this research were using animation videos, giving more explanation in English, making use of the LCD projector optimally, and providing activities that enabled the students to enrich their vocabulary. The results of the research showed that the use of animation videos in the English teaching and learning process was effective to improve the students’ listening skills and the teacher’s performance. There was an increase in the means score from 7.2 in the pre-test to 8.2 in the post-test. There were some good improvements in some aspects such as their familiarity in listening to English words and their vocabulary. Also, they became actively participate in discussion during the teaching and learning process. They were more aware of the mistakes because of the correction from other students. Moreover, the animation videos successfully caught the students’ attention. As a result, they watched the video carefully as well as they heard the audio.