IMPROVING STUDENTS' ENGLISH SPEAKING ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH A GROUP PODCAST STRATEGY

Abstract

This study aims to improve students’ English speaking achievement through the implementation of a group podcast strategy at Wittaya Islamic School, Thailand. This research employed Classroom Action Research (CAR) conducted in two cycles involving planning, action, observation, and reflection. The participants were sixth-grade students who experienced difficulties in speaking due to limit vocabulary, low confidence, and fear of making mistakes. Data were collected through speaking tests, observation sheets of teacher and student activities, and field notes. The findings reveal a significant improvement in students’ speaking achievement, with test scores increasing from 52.12% in Cycle I to 84.62% in Cycle II. Teacher activity improved from 68% to 85% while student activity increased from 60.73% to 75%. The results indicate that the group podcast strategy effectively enhances students’ speaking skills by promoting collaboration, increasing confidence, and providing meaningful speaking practice.. therefore, group podcasts can be considered an effective digital learning strategy for EFL contexts, particularly in Islamic secondary schools.