Word of the Day to Improve Speaking Skills

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Speaking skill is one important skill in expressing oneself freely and effectively, and to be communicatively competent one needs to aster the target language used in speaking. However, as observed this skill has been a dilemma for most students in Sto. Niño National High School, students have difficulties in expressing themselves using English, their ability to analyze is evident, but their ability to elaborate a point is just hindered by their difficulty in using the target language competently. Even Grade 11 classes where students are expected to be more adept in using the English language as a medium of communication. Using the appropriate word/s or their lack of vocabulary hinders them to interact freely. Thus, the researcher has decided to use the three-minute presentation of vocabulary in her class every day before the lesson starts. the researcher presented Word of the day as a strategy to improve students' speaking skills.

METHODS

The study of this research used descriptive-qualitative data. The researcher uses a purposive sampling technique hence the activity participated by the whole class composed of 36 students, 11 males, and 25 females. Out of 36 student-participant there where 18 identified students who were in the beginning level of proficiency, thus the students were purposely given the chance of the word of the day activity. The whole duration of the said activity conducted in the first semester (first quarter) within 11 weeks. Researched tools used were interviews and observation.

RESULTS

The 36 grade 11 students were interviewed as to what were the causes of poor participation. 6 students answered timidity/shyness, 10 students answered lack of topical knowledge, 5 students answered lack of interest and 15 students answered difficulty in using the English language. These clearly show that the main reason why students less likely participate in classroom activities it's because of the difficulty in using the English language as the medium of instruction inside the classroom.

DISCUSSIONS

The results of this research show that the level of proficiency of the 18 identified students who were beginning level significantly increased. 10 students fairly satisfactory, 7 are satisfactory and 1 on very satisfactory. These results show that the intervention has highly affected the students' speaking skills especially in speaking the target language when participating.