Reducing Students’ Speaking Anxiety by Using Drama Technique. (A Study at Year One of SMAN 2 Unggul Ali Hasjmy)

Students’ anxiety to speak English in the class is a problem commonly found in English study, especially for speaking. Consequently, students can not improve their speaking ability. Hence, the researcher chooses this topic to give contribution in reducing students’ anxiety to speak English by using drama technique. This thesis entitled “ReducingStudents’ Speaking Anxiety Using Drama TechniquesAt the 10th grade of SMAN 2 Unggul Ali Hasjmy.”There are two research questions; how does drama technique reduce students speaking anxiety and what are students’ perceptions toward the implementation of drama technique. The aims of this research is to investigate drama technique in reducing students anxiety and to know students’ perceptions toward drama technique. To obtain the data, the researcher used both quantitative and qualitative method. The researcher conducted this research in SMAN 2 Unggul Ali Hasjmy and the population of this research is all of 10th grade and the sample are students in class X MIPA 2. To gain the data, the researcher used four techniques. There were; pre-test post-test, observation sheet, students’ diary and questionnaire. This technique were used to answer first research questions and second research question. The result of finding and discussion for the first research question; based on observation sheet, 30% of students not feel difficulties to concentrate anymore and 30% of students not become forgetful anymore. Based on the students’ diary, drama keeps students active in the learning situations. Students’ self-confidence and motivation increase. The conversation was easy to express so that they did not feel nervous and panic anymore when speaking in public so, they felt like in daily communication. Some students’ argue that when they are speaking English through drama, it can reduce their anxiety and give them the good impact, all of them can acquire and remember new vocabulary that they do not know before. The result of finding for second research question; reveals that generally the students’ perceived drama as enjoyable activity very much because they have a chance to speak. (48,14%) of the participants agreed to the statement. Overall, they believe that drama is a good way to improve their English speaking skills (37,03%) agreed to the statement. 37,03% most of them felt motivated to explore the various expressions in English through the drama presentation.