The Implementation of the Show and Tell Method to Improve the Speaking Skills of Elementary School Students in Indonesian Language Lessons

Abstract

Speaking ability is a crucial language skill to develop in elementary school students. However, observations in the third-grade class at SDN 1 Cieunteung revealed that many students still struggled with speaking, particularly regarding fluency, linguistic accuracy, voice clarity, and self-confidence. This study aimed to describe the planning, implementation, and improvement of students' speaking abilities through the application of the "Show and Tell" method during Indonesian language lessons focused on describing objects. The study employed Classroom Action Research (CAR) based on the Kemmis and McTaggart model, conducted over two cycles. The subjects were 27 third-grade students at SDN 1 Cieunteung. Data collection techniques included observation, speaking ability tests, and documentation, while data analysis was performed using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The results indicated that the "Show and Tell" method successfully improved students' speaking abilities. The learning mastery rate rose from 18.52% in the pre-action stage to 55.56% in Cycle I and reached 92.59% in Cycle II; meanwhile, the average score increased from 60.31 to 71.96 and finally to 83.75. These findings demonstrate that the "Show and Tell" method fosters active, student-centered learning, thereby providing students with more opportunities to practice speaking, boost their self-confidence, and progressively develop their communication skills through authentic learning experiences. Thus, the "Show and Tell" method proved effective in enhancing the speaking abilities of third-grade students in Indonesian language lessons.