Improving Students’ Speaking Skill Through Project-Based Learning (Digital Storytelling)

Abstract

This article describes the implementation of Project-Based Learning (digital storytelling) to improve students’ speaking skill at the first-grade students of a senior high school in Karanganyar. The aims of this research are (1) to find out whether Project-Based Learning (digital storytelling) can improve students’ speaking skill and (2) to analyze the students’ learning motivation when is implemented. The data were collected through observation, interview, questionnaire, and test. Findings of the research revealed that students’ speaking competence improved in some aspects such as grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, fluency, and confidence. Those aspects were improved through a series of speaking activities including group discussion, interview, voice recording, and oral presentation. In addition, students’ learning motivation increased in terms of: (a) the students invested more effort in the learning, (b) the students looked more interested in the learning activity, and (c) the students’ attitude became positive. A challenging multimedia-based project in which students created digital stories could provide meaningful experience and enhance the students’ participation throughout the learning process.