The Implementation of Role Play to Improve Speaking Skill: An Action Research with Grade Six Students

The present study investigated the effects of Role Play on the improvement of speaking skill of grade six students. The research utilized quantitative research approach which involved the pre-test-post-test design. A total of 21 students participated in the study, comprising 12 boys and 9 girls. The fully scripted role play technique was used as an intervention strategy. English proficiency achievement test was applied before and after the role play activities in order to gather the data. The experiment lasted for six consecutive weeks. Data were analyzed and interpreted using inferential statistics t-test with p<.05 level of significance, mean, and standard deviation. The results revealed a mean score of 45.7 in pre-test, 67.8 for the post-test, with a mean difference of 22.1 and the significant value (p) obtained was .000. The findings indicated higher scores in the post-test, vis-a-vis the pre-test of all 21 research participants. Thus, it is commendable that the implementation of role play technique helps in improving speaking skill of students and provide an alternative to ESL teachers in Bhutan to teach speaking skills.