Improving Speaking Proficiency Via Role-Play: An Investigation From Indonesian Secondary Schools
Keywords:
Classroom action research, EFL, English speaking skill, Role-play method, Junior high school level
Abstract
Speaking remains one of the most challenging skills for EFL students in Indonesia. Many students face anxiety and lack of opportunities to practice speaking English in authentic contexts. This Classroom Action Research was carried out to develop the speaking abilities of 6B2 students at SMP Negeri 5 Malang by applying the role-play method. The research was implemented in two cycles, involving 33 students, and utilized a mixed method of quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data were collected through classroom observations, pre-test, post-test, and students’ questionnaires. The results showed that students’ ability in speaking had greatly improved. After the first cycle, the average score rose from 48 on the pre-test to 73, and it further increased to 82 on the second cycle of the post-test. Moreover, in the final post-test, 91% of students received the minimum passing grade (≥ 75), up from 6% on the pre-test. The qualitative data supported these results, indicating increased student motivation, reduced anxiety, and enhanced self-assurance when speaking English. The findings suggest that the role-play method is effective in developing students’ speaking ability, motivation, and confidence in EFL classrooms.
References
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Ertug, G., Cuypers, I. R. P., Dow, D., & Edman, J. (2024). The Effect of Nationalism on Governance Choices in Cross-Border Collaborations. Journal of Management, 50(7), 2597–2640. https://doi.org/10.1177/01492063231172757
Fu, X., & Li, Q. (2025). Effectiveness of Role-play Method: A Meta-analysis. International Journal of Instruction, 18(1), 309–324. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2025.18117a
Futihah, N., & Romdani, N. (2023). Conducting Story Completion Technique to Improve Speaking Skill. Proceeding of International Conference on Education, 142–149. https://doi.org/10.37640/ice.02.688
Goram, S. G., & Subekti, A. S. (2022). Role-play and Speaking Anxiety: A Case Study in an Online English Speaking Class. JLA (Jurnal Lingua Applicata), 6(1), 33. https://doi.org/10.22146/jla.75103
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Lady, E., Sayow, M., & Marsevani, M. (2024a). Improving high school students’ speaking skill through role play strategy: A classroom action research. English Learning Innovation (Englie), 132(1). https://doi.org/10.22219/englie
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Li, R., Razali, F., Ismail, L., Muhamad, M. M., & Ma, X. (2024). Fostering Autonomous Learning in Oral English Through Role Play: An Exploration in Course Setting. International Journal of Instruction, 17(3), 581–598. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2024.17332a
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Lim, M., Bizzego, A., Chen, S. A., & Esposito, G. (2024). Openness to Experience Predicts Engagement in Role-Play: : Evidence From Two Methodologies. Simulation & Gaming, 55(4), 662–684.
Mukhbita, A., Harianja, C. N., Natania, M. L., Meywanthi, N. I., Sofyeni, R. A., & Pebriana, H. (2025). A Systematic Literature Review on the Role Play Method in Improving Speaking Skills of Elementary School Children. The Future of Education Journal, 4(1). https://journal.tofedu.or.id/index.php/journal/index
Negara, I. M. (2021). Literature review: why use roleplay method in teaching speaking? SPECTRAL, 7(1), 1–10.
Nunan, D. (1991). Methods in Second Language Classroom-Oriented Research: A Critical View. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 2, 249–274.
Pahamzah, J., Syafrizal, S., Gailea, N., & Masrupi, M. (2020). A Comparative Study between the Use of Role Play and Discussion Method in Teaching Speaking Ability. Indonesian Journal of English Teaching, 9(2), 22–24.
Pasaribu, A. N. (2022). Students’ Motivation in English Learning amid Covid-19 Pandemic: A Systemic Functional Linguistics Perspective. Jurnal Pendidikan, 14(2), 1553–1562. https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v14i1.1824
Phoeun, M., & Sengsri, S. (2021). The effect of a flipped classroom with communicative language teaching approach on undergraduate students’ English speaking ability. International Journal of Instruction, 14(3), 1025–1042. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2021.14360a
Pinatih, I. G. A. D. P. (2021). Improving Students’ Speaking Skill through Role-Play Technique in 21st Century. Journal of Educational Study, 1(1), 103–108. https://doi.org/10.36663/joes.v1i1.159
Puspita, G. R., Romdani, R. K., & Kusumajati, W. K. (2023). Enhancing Students’ Speaking Skill Through Role-play Technique. Proceeding of International Conference on Education, 39–44. https://doi.org/10.37640/ice.02.443
Rakasiwi, A. K., Wahyuni, S., & Yosephin, M. (2024). The effectiveness of using role play to improve speaking skill for students of senior high school. Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Asia, 4(1), 14–26. https://doi.org/10.21154/edusia.v4i1.696
Sabilla, A. N., & Kaniadewi, N. (2025). Investigating English-Speaking Problems of Senior High School Students in Indonesia. SALEE: Study of Applied Linguistics and English Education, 6(1), 88–107. https://doi.org/10.35961/salee.v6i1.1617
Sari, E. R., & Hamzah, I. (2023). The use of role play to improve students’ speaking skill. Journal of English Language Teaching and Learning (JELTL), 4(1), 58–63. http://jim.teknokrat.ac.id/index.php/english-language-teaching/index
Sarifudin, S., & Setyawan, W. H. (2025). The effect of using role-play method in improving speaking skills of basic level students at central course. Prima Magistra: Jurnal Ilmiah Kependidikan, 6(1), 29–35. https://doi.org/10.37478/jpm.v6i1.5190
Simões, A. V., & Sangiamchit, C. (2023). Internationalization at Home: Enhancing Global Competencies in the EFL Classroom through International Online Collaboration. Education Sciences, 13(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13030264
Sun, X., Zhang, X., & Lei, L. (2022). The Effects of Online Role-play Teaching Practice on Learners’ Availability for Resources. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 17(5), 4–18. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v17i05.30575
Tanveer, M. (2008). Investigation of the factors that cause language anxiety for ESL/EFL learners in learning speaking skills and the influence it casts on communication in the target language. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.1995.1129
Trianto. (2010). Mendesain Model Pembelajaran Inovatif-Progresif: Konsep, Landasan, dan Implementasinya Pada Kuriklum Tingkat Satuan Pendidikan(KTSP). Kencana Prenada Media Gruop.
Widiarti, Y., & Astuti, I. W. (2023). EFL teachers’ perception of the use of role play in speaking class. SPECTRAL, 9(2), 106–117.
Ahmada, A., & Munawaroh, L. (2022). Use of Role Play Method to Improve Speaking Skills. Darussalam English Journal (DEJ), 2(1), 55–82. https://doi.org/10.30739/dej.v2i1.1506
Anwar, M. N., Mushtaq, N., Mubeen, A., & Iqbal, M. (2024). The Power of ZPD: Enhancing Teaching and Learning. Journal of Education and Social Studies, 5(2), 396–405. https://doi.org/10.52223/jess.2024.5220
Arif, F., Sunarmo, S., & Indriyanti, C. (2019). Improving Students’ Speaking Skill through Role Play Technique. Prosiding Seminar Nasional Pendidikan STKIP Kusuma Negara, 1–7.
Arikunto, S. (2010). Prosedur Penelitian Suatu Pendekatan Praktik. Rineka Cipta.
Cherry, K. (2025, February 18). The Experiential Learning Theory of David Kolb. Verywell Mind.
Dwiyanti, A., & Lolita, Y. (2023). The Effectiveness of Role Play in Improving Speaking Skill of EFL Students. Prosodi, 17(2), 138–148. https://doi.org/10.21107/prosodi.v17i2.17064
Ertug, G., Cuypers, I. R. P., Dow, D., & Edman, J. (2024). The Effect of Nationalism on Governance Choices in Cross-Border Collaborations. Journal of Management, 50(7), 2597–2640. https://doi.org/10.1177/01492063231172757
Fu, X., & Li, Q. (2025). Effectiveness of Role-play Method: A Meta-analysis. International Journal of Instruction, 18(1), 309–324. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2025.18117a
Futihah, N., & Romdani, N. (2023). Conducting Story Completion Technique to Improve Speaking Skill. Proceeding of International Conference on Education, 142–149. https://doi.org/10.37640/ice.02.688
Goram, S. G., & Subekti, A. S. (2022). Role-play and Speaking Anxiety: A Case Study in an Online English Speaking Class. JLA (Jurnal Lingua Applicata), 6(1), 33. https://doi.org/10.22146/jla.75103
Grieve, R., Woodley, J., Hunt, S. E., & McKay, A. (2021). Student fears of oral presentations and public speaking in higher education: a qualitative survey. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 45(9), 1281–1293. https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877X.2021.1948509
Harmer, J. (1991). The Practice of English Language Teaching (New). Longman.
Horwitz, E. K., Horwitz, M. B., & Cope, J. (1986). Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety. The Modern Language Journal, 70(2), 125–132.
Jim, M. E., Yap, J. B., Laolao, G. C., Lim, A. Z., & Deja, J. A. (2025, April 15). Speak with Confidence: Designing an Augmented Reality Training Tool for Public Speaking. PCSC. http://arxiv.org/abs/2504.11380
Kartini, A. D., Mayasari, L., & Yunianti, S. (2020). The Effectiveness of Task-Based Learning in Teaching Integrated Skills. Tell : Teaching of English Language and Literature Journal, 8(2), 74. https://doi.org/10.30651/tell.v8i2.6132
Kemmis, S. (2010). What is to be done? The place of action research. Educational Action Research, 18(4), 417–427.
Lady, E., Sayow, M., & Marsevani, M. (2024a). Improving high school students’ speaking skill through role play strategy: A classroom action research. English Learning Innovation (Englie), 132(1). https://doi.org/10.22219/englie
Lady, E., Sayow, M., & Marsevani, M. (2024b). Improving high school students’ speaking skill through role play strategy: A classroom action research. English Learning Innovation (Englie), 132(1). https://doi.org/10.22219/englie
Li, R., Razali, F., Ismail, L., Muhamad, M. M., & Ma, X. (2024). Fostering Autonomous Learning in Oral English Through Role Play: An Exploration in Course Setting. International Journal of Instruction, 17(3), 581–598. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2024.17332a
Lifintsev, D., & Wellbrock, W. (2019). Cross-cultural communication in the digital age. Estudos Em Comunicacao, 1(28), 93–104. https://doi.org/10.25768/fal.ec.n28.a05
Lim, M., Bizzego, A., Chen, S. A., & Esposito, G. (2024). Openness to Experience Predicts Engagement in Role-Play: : Evidence From Two Methodologies. Simulation & Gaming, 55(4), 662–684.
Mukhbita, A., Harianja, C. N., Natania, M. L., Meywanthi, N. I., Sofyeni, R. A., & Pebriana, H. (2025). A Systematic Literature Review on the Role Play Method in Improving Speaking Skills of Elementary School Children. The Future of Education Journal, 4(1). https://journal.tofedu.or.id/index.php/journal/index
Negara, I. M. (2021). Literature review: why use roleplay method in teaching speaking? SPECTRAL, 7(1), 1–10.
Nunan, D. (1991). Methods in Second Language Classroom-Oriented Research: A Critical View. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 2, 249–274.
Pahamzah, J., Syafrizal, S., Gailea, N., & Masrupi, M. (2020). A Comparative Study between the Use of Role Play and Discussion Method in Teaching Speaking Ability. Indonesian Journal of English Teaching, 9(2), 22–24.
Pasaribu, A. N. (2022). Students’ Motivation in English Learning amid Covid-19 Pandemic: A Systemic Functional Linguistics Perspective. Jurnal Pendidikan, 14(2), 1553–1562. https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v14i1.1824
Phoeun, M., & Sengsri, S. (2021). The effect of a flipped classroom with communicative language teaching approach on undergraduate students’ English speaking ability. International Journal of Instruction, 14(3), 1025–1042. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2021.14360a
Pinatih, I. G. A. D. P. (2021). Improving Students’ Speaking Skill through Role-Play Technique in 21st Century. Journal of Educational Study, 1(1), 103–108. https://doi.org/10.36663/joes.v1i1.159
Puspita, G. R., Romdani, R. K., & Kusumajati, W. K. (2023). Enhancing Students’ Speaking Skill Through Role-play Technique. Proceeding of International Conference on Education, 39–44. https://doi.org/10.37640/ice.02.443
Rakasiwi, A. K., Wahyuni, S., & Yosephin, M. (2024). The effectiveness of using role play to improve speaking skill for students of senior high school. Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Asia, 4(1), 14–26. https://doi.org/10.21154/edusia.v4i1.696
Sabilla, A. N., & Kaniadewi, N. (2025). Investigating English-Speaking Problems of Senior High School Students in Indonesia. SALEE: Study of Applied Linguistics and English Education, 6(1), 88–107. https://doi.org/10.35961/salee.v6i1.1617
Sari, E. R., & Hamzah, I. (2023). The use of role play to improve students’ speaking skill. Journal of English Language Teaching and Learning (JELTL), 4(1), 58–63. http://jim.teknokrat.ac.id/index.php/english-language-teaching/index
Sarifudin, S., & Setyawan, W. H. (2025). The effect of using role-play method in improving speaking skills of basic level students at central course. Prima Magistra: Jurnal Ilmiah Kependidikan, 6(1), 29–35. https://doi.org/10.37478/jpm.v6i1.5190
Simões, A. V., & Sangiamchit, C. (2023). Internationalization at Home: Enhancing Global Competencies in the EFL Classroom through International Online Collaboration. Education Sciences, 13(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13030264
Sun, X., Zhang, X., & Lei, L. (2022). The Effects of Online Role-play Teaching Practice on Learners’ Availability for Resources. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 17(5), 4–18. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v17i05.30575
Tanveer, M. (2008). Investigation of the factors that cause language anxiety for ESL/EFL learners in learning speaking skills and the influence it casts on communication in the target language. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.1995.1129
Trianto. (2010). Mendesain Model Pembelajaran Inovatif-Progresif: Konsep, Landasan, dan Implementasinya Pada Kuriklum Tingkat Satuan Pendidikan(KTSP). Kencana Prenada Media Gruop.
Widiarti, Y., & Astuti, I. W. (2023). EFL teachers’ perception of the use of role play in speaking class. SPECTRAL, 9(2), 106–117.
Published
2025-07-26
How to Cite
Renanda, C. A., Yunus, M., & Rachmawati , S. (2025). Improving Speaking Proficiency Via Role-Play: An Investigation From Indonesian Secondary Schools. EDUCASIA: Jurnal Pendidikan, Pengajaran, Dan Pembelajaran, 10(2), 191-205. https://doi.org/10.21462/educasia.v10i2.348
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Articles
