Title: Improving EFL Students' Speaking Skills through Heterogeneous Small Group Discussion: A Classroom Action Research
Authors: Pingky Putri Rahayu, Indri Astutik, Zaidah Rahmi
Volume: 9
Issue: 9
Pages: 8-13
Publication Date: 2025/09/28
Abstract:
Speaking skills are essential for Indonesian high school students to achieve academic success and face global challenges; however, many remain reluctant to speak, depend on written texts or translation apps, and show low participation in oral activities. This classroom action research aims to improve students' speaking skills through the implementation of heterogeneous grouping and small group discussions. The study was conducted in grade 11 of Senior High School in Pakusari, Jember Regency, inlvolving 31 students with varying levels of English proficiency. The study followed the spiral model of Kemmis and McTaggart (1988), consisting of planning, action, observation, and reflection phases across two cycles. Data were collected through speaking tests, attitude observation sheets, and video recordings. Data were then analyzed descriptively using Brown's (2004) speaking assessment rubric, along with qualitative interpretation.The findings showed significant improvements in students' speaking skills. The average scores increased from 46.29 in the pre-cycle (Very Low) to 62.74 in Cycle 1 (Low - Moderate), and eventually reached 73.87 in Cycle 2 (Moderate - Good). The percentage of students in the Very Low category dropped sharply from 67.7% to only 6.5%, while students in the Good and Very Good categories increased consistently. Furthermore, observations showed increased student participation, self-confidence, and cooperative behavior during group discussions align with Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory. Therefore, using heterogeneous grouping coupled with small group discussions has been proven effective in improving both cignitive and affective aspects of spekaing skills. As a result, cooperative learning strategies are recommended as an alternative in teaching English at the high school level.