The Effectiveness of Semi-Scripted Role Play in Enhancing Speaking Skills of Students at MAN 1 Palu
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58421/gehu.v5i1.1140Keywords:
Role Play, Semi-Scripted, Speaking Skills, English LearningAbstract
Students’ speaking skills in EFL classrooms are often limited by low confidence, limited practice, and less interactive teaching techniques. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effectiveness of semi-scripted role play in enhancing the speaking skills of EFL students at MAN 1 Palu. This research employed a quantitative, quasi-experimental design with two groups: an experimental and a control group. The participants were 34 eleventh-grade students, with 17 in each group. The experimental group was taught using semi-scripted role play, while the control group received conventional speaking instruction. Data were collected through speaking pre-tests and post-tests assessing students’ fluency, accuracy, and pronunciation. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, the Shapiro–Wilk normality test, and the Mann–Whitney U test to assess differences between the two groups. The results revealed that students in the experimental group showed greater improvement in speaking skills than those in the control group, and the Mann–Whitney U test indicated a significant difference in post-test scores between the groups at the 0.05 significance level. These findings demonstrate that semi-scripted role-play is an effective teaching technique for improving students’ speaking skills by providing structured support while encouraging active, meaningful communication.
Downloads
References
Ary, D., Jacobs, L. C., & Sorensen, C. (2010). Introduction to Research in Education (8th ed.). Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Brown, G., & Yule, G. (2000). Teaching the spoken language: An approach based on the analysis of conversational English. Cambridge University Press.
Brown, H. D. (2001). Teaching by principles: An interactive approach to language pedagogy (2nd ed.). Longman.
Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2018). Research methods in education (8th ed.). Routledge.
Harmer, J. (2007). The practice of English language teaching (4th ed.). Pearson Longman.
Hidayat, A. (2023). Developing Speaking Skill Through Role Play Activities. Prima Magistra: Jurnal Ilmiah Kependidikan, 4(3), 305–311. https://doi.org/10.37478/jpm.v4i3.2815
Kiruthiga, E., & Christopher, G. (2022). The Impact of Affective Factors in English Speaking Skills. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 12(12), 2478–2485. https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1212.02
Kobilova, N. (2025). Teaching speaking skill in the English language classroom. Journal of New Century Innovations, 68(1), 139–142. https://scientific-jl.org/index.php/new
Lopez, J. I., Becerra, A. P., & Ramirez-Avila, M. R. (2021). EFL Speaking Fluency through Authentic Oral Production. Journal of Foreign Language Teaching and Learning, 6(1), 37–55. https://doi.org/10.18196/ftl.v6i1.10175
Moetia, M., & Muhammadiyah Aceh Barat Daya, S. (2023). Application of Role Play Technique To Improve Student’S Speaking Skills in Learning English. Nusantara Hasana Journal, 3(5), Page.
Ranti. (2016). Volume I | Number 1 | February 2016. The Use of In Formation Gap Techiques to Improve Speaking Skill, I(1), 76–102.
Rekhavitri, R., Manurung, K., Hasyim, Z., & English, ). (2024). an Analysis on the Implementation of Role Play in Teaching Speaking. 11(02), 709–720.
Rohmiyati, Y., & Asiah, N. (2024). Exploring motivation and improving English speaking proficiency: A literature study on role-play method. Cendikia : Media Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan, 14(5), 458–465.
Romadhona, G., Ahmad Munir, & Rizqiyah, A. (2023). Students’ Experiences toward Scripted and Unscripted Role Playing in Junior High School. Inspiring: English Education Journal, 6(2), 133–150. https://doi.org/10.35905/inspiring.v6i2.5736
Rosmayanti, V.-, & Yahrif, M. (2019). The Implementation of Role-play Activities to Get Students Speak. Indonesian EFL Journal: Journal of ELT, Linguistics, and Literature, 5(1), 77-92.
Safitri, F., & Solusia, C. (2023). The Effect of Using Role-Play Method on Students’ Speaking Skills in the Tenth Grade of SMA Pembangunan Laboratorium UNP. Journal of English Language Teaching, 12(1), 68–77. https://doi.org/10.24036/jelt.v12i1.121825
Su, A. A. T., Cao, T. X. T., Le, D. L. V., Nguyen, L. N. T., & Nguyen, T. L. A. (2021). Improving English Speaking Ability Through E-Learning. AsiaCALL Online Journal, 12(2), 58–71.
Tiana, D. M., Fitriyah, F., Lestari, R., & Aprillia, A. (2024). The Influence of Students’ Anxiety on Speaking Performance in EFL Large Class: A Survey Study. Scope : Journal of English Language Teaching, 8(2), 342. https://doi.org/10.30998/scope.v8i2.19537
Toyib, A., R & Syafi'i, A. (2018). Role-Play as a Method to Overcome Students' Anxiety in Speaking Skills. Efektor, (5)1, 50-53.
Truong, N. K., & Le, Q. T. (2019). Utilizing YouTube to Enhance English Speaking Skills: Tertiary Students’ Practices and Perceptions. Asia CALL Online Journal, 13(4), 7 13. https://doi.org/10.54855/acoj.221342
Wiyono, W. (2018). Penerapan Teknik Role Playing untuk Meningkatkan Self Confidence Siswa Kelas X E SMA Negeri 5 Banjarmasin. AL-ULUM: Jurnal Ilmu Sosial dan Humaniora. https://doi.org/10.31602/alsh.v4i1.1461
Wulandari, Ayuningtias, D.,O, & Yana. (2019). The Use of Role Play to Improve Students„ Speaking Skill. Project: Professional Journal of English Education, 2(2), 416-420.
Yarmi, G. (2019). Whole-Language Approach: Improve the Speaking Ability at Early Years School Level. JPUD - Jurnal Pendidikan Usia Dini. https://doi.org/10.21009/10.21009/jpud.131.02
Yusuf, K., & Setyamardani, F. A. (2020). Engaging Students‘ Speaking Skill Using Role Play in Junior High School. Linguistic, English Education and Art (LEEA) Journal, 3(2), 327–339. https://doi.org/10.31539/leea.v3i2.1150
Zare-Behtash, E, Saeed, A, & Zare-Behtash, P. (2017). The Effect of Role-playing Tasks on Improving Speaking Ability of Iranian Pre-Intermediate ESP Learners. Iranian Journal of English for Acad emic Purposes, 6(2), 1-10.
Downloads
Additional Files
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Journal of General Education and Humanities

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Most read articles by the same author(s)
- Nila Utari Setiani, Abd. Kamaruddin, Hastini Hastini, Mochtar Marhum, The Reading Frequency and Literal Comprehension: A Study of Eighth Grade Students in Palu , Journal of General Education and Humanities: Vol. 4 No. 4 (2025): November
- Andika Rosadi Siraje, Darmawan, Budi, Mochtar Marhum, Correlation Between Mobile Legends Playing Intensity and Vocabulary Development Among Senior High School Students , Journal of General Education and Humanities: Vol. 4 No. 3 (2025): August
- Tiara Z. Koping, Mochtar Marhum, Zarkiani Hasyim, Wahyudin Wahyudin, The Use of TikTok Application to Improve Eleventh-Grade Students’ Speaking Skills , Journal of General Education and Humanities: Vol. 4 No. 4 (2025): November
- Syava Aizhawa Putri Nurina, Aminah Suriaman, Fadhilah Zamzam, Mochtar Marhum, Patterns of Code-Switching in English Speaking Practice: A Descriptive Analysis of University Students , Journal of General Education and Humanities: Vol. 5 No. 1 (2026): February
- Miftahul Jannah, Mashuri Mashuri, Andi Patmasari, Mochtar Marhum, The Use of ChatGPT-Based Interactive Exercises to Improve Students’ Vocabulary Mastery , Journal of General Education and Humanities: Vol. 5 No. 1 (2026): February
- Muspira Muspira, Mawardin M. Said, Moh. Abraham Akbar Eisenring, Mochtar Marhum, Improving Vocabulary Mastery of Grade X Students Through Picture Cards at MAN Insan Cendekia Kota Palu , Journal of General Education and Humanities: Vol. 4 No. 4 (2025): November
- Elis Susanti, Muhammad Arid, Andi Patmasari, Hastini Hastini, Using Riddle Game in Increasing Vocabulary of the Eighth Grade Students , Journal of General Education and Humanities: Vol. 5 No. 1 (2026): February
- Fikriani Fikriani, Konder Manurung, Andi Patmasari, Mochtar Marhum, A Study on The Implementation of Flashcards in Teaching Vocabulary , Journal of General Education and Humanities: Vol. 5 No. 1 (2026): February
- Puspa Natasya, Mashuri Mashuri, Andi Patmasari, Mochtar Marhum, Utilizing Scramble Words Technique to Enhance Students’ Vocabulary Mastery , Journal of General Education and Humanities: Vol. 5 No. 1 (2026): February
- Rahmawati Rahmawati, Abd. Kamaruddin, Maf’ulah Maf’ulah, Mochtar Marhum, The Effectiveness of Educational Videos in Improving Vocabulary Mastery at SMP Negeri 16 Palu , Journal of General Education and Humanities: Vol. 5 No. 1 (2026): February
















