The Use of Mind Mapping to Improve the Eighth-Grade Students’ Speaking Achievement at a Private Islamic Junior High School

Abstract

This research was intended to improve the junior high school students’ speaking achievement by using Mind Mapping Technique at SMPIT Al-Uswah Tuban. The design of the research was Classroom Action Research, and the research participants were Grade VIII D. The main data in this research was the speaking test scores that were analyzed by using the percentage formula adopted from Purwanto, 2009 and the supporting data of this research were interview, observation, and documentation. The result of the speaking test in cycle 1 showed that the average percentage of the student who achieved the target was higher than before. The percentage of students who scored ≥ 70 on the speaking test was 84% or 21 students out of 25 students. Meanwhile, the percentage of their prior speaking scores from the English teacher was 60%. Thus, the use of the Mind Mapping Technique could improve eighth-grade students’ speaking achievement. It was suggested that the teachers use Mind Mapping Technique to improve the student’s speaking achievement in class.