IMPROVING CLASS VII A STUDENTS’ SPEAKING ABILITY BY USING THINK PAIR SHARE TECHNIQUE OF COOPERATIVE LEARNING METHOD AT SMP NEGERI 7 JEMBER IN THE 2012/2013 ACADEMIC YEAR

Based on the literature reviews, Think Pair Share Technique is an effective technique in teaching speaking. Mostly, the students have difficulties in speaking English. The research was carried out to improve the students’ speaking ability and active participation by using Think Pair Share Technique. Classroom observation was used to get the data about the students’ participation in the teaching and learning process. While, speaking test was implemented to test the students’ speaking ability by using Think Pair Share Technique. The results revealed that the students could improve their speaking ability and active participation by using Think Pair Share Technique. In that, they have shown better achievement in speaking English. This is likely due to the implementation of Think Pair Share Technique which facilitates the students to construct ideas and performing their ability especially in speaking. Key Words : speaking ability, students’ active participation, Think Pair Share Technique.