The Effectiveness of Using A1 speechTRON as a Medium to Teach

Pronunciation
 (An Experimental Study of Student at PPKD training)

An Assignment

Written as One of the Requirements for Middle Term Exam

Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Bahasa Asing (STIBA-IEC) Jakarta

Jane Dwi Yana 2191101855

English Literature Department

Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Bahasa Asing (STIBA) IEC
Jakarta 2022
Abstract

This is a research proposal. The study of the research is about the

effectiveness of using A1 speechTRON as a medium to teach
pronunciation. The background of the study is the difficulties in learning
pronunciation. This study is aimed at responding the following
questions; (1) How is the implementation of A1 speechTRON as a
medium to teach pronunciation?; (2) How is the effectiveness of A1
speechTRON as a medium to teach pronunciation?. The population of
this research will be the second graders of English Education Program of
PPKD Training who consist of 30 students. This is an experimental
research, which will be conducted in two groups; experimental group
which will be taught by using the application software and control group
which will be taught without the software. The method of data collection
is test. There will be two tests; pre and posttest which both are in the
form of reading aloud test. All data then will be analyzed by using t- test
to determine whether there is a significance difference between two
groups after treatments.
This study will show that the first thing that the teacher has to do is to
use the software as an aid is that he or she must conduct the lesson in the
language laboratory. If it is difficult to find it, the teacher must provide
several computers or laptops and then group the students into several
possible groups to which the teacher gives a laptop or computer. The
second thing is that this is CALL-learning-based; the teacher may teach
how to conduct the software so students can practice by themselves
outside of the class. The writer assumes that A1 speechTRON will be an
effective medium to teach students pronunciation and it may be used as
one of alternative media in the teaching of pronunciation.1

1
Nshindi Germain Mulamba and Francis Ngoyi Crequi Tshimanga, ‘Performing Non-Sexism via Degendering Phoric
Forms in English: The Gap between Rules and Practice as Observed in the 9th Edition of Oxford Advanced Learner’s
Dictionary of Current English’, Lexikos, 30.1 (2020), 275–92 <https://doi.org/10.5788/30-1-1589>.
Chapter 1 
Introduction

1.1       The background of the study

Language as a mean for communication has a crucial thing within

pronunciation. As we know, pronunciation is an important part of
language when someone is transferring knowledge to other people. They
do need to pronounce some words clear enough to understand in order to
avoid misunderstanding. This refers to an important part of
pronunciation.
English pronunciation is included into one of language components
besides grammar and vocabulary. This is why it is very important for
English learners. Even though, it is still pushed-aside, ignored, and
neglected not only for teachers but also students. Nowadays, it can be
easily encountered many teachers get difficulties to teach pronunciation
of some English words, and admit to lack of their knowledge about the
theories of pronunciation. As a result, it obviously gives a big influence
toward their students at enhancing English pronunciation in the
classroom. Therefore, teachers are expected to improve their practical
skills in pronunciation teaching.
In addition, some people believed that English pronunciation was
difficult for English learner (non-native speakers). They are
compulsorily able to pronounce every word clearly and correctly. This
has been defined by Josie Whitehead statement that the problem with the
English language is “pronunciation” because what we see in English is
not necessarily what we say. It drives that spoken word is not same as
written form. Also, Rebecca M. Dauer stated that English is especially
difficult because the pronunciation of words is not clearly shown by how
they are written.
In pronunciation teaching, absolutely, teachers can deploy many ways to
enhance their students’ pronunciation. They can try to vary their
methods or media in order to make their students’ understanding
increase. Furthermore, teachers can use some electronic media such as
application software which is built-in to computer, as a phenomenon of
the globalization era; which is signed by the rapid development of
technology. It definitely gives us an alternative and interesting way to
teach and learn.
Inspired by the rapid development of technology from the early 1980s,
computer-assisted language learning (CALL) has now become an
important component of foreign language learning pedagogy. Originally
viewed as a supplement to classroom instruction, communicative
instruction-based CALL activities are now used to promote learner
autonomy and to encourage involvement with the target language both
inside and outside of the classroom. Thus, this has been defined as “the
search for and study of applications on the computer in language
learning and teaching” and is now used routinely in a variety of
instructional situations. As a result, teachers are required to possess
CALL expertise that includes both practical skills and a thorough
understanding of information technology (IT) theory.
A1 SpeechTRON is application software which can transform the
written form into the spoken form. This software is strongly predicted
that will be able to enhance students’ pronunciation. If students get
difficulties or unable to pronounce difficult words, they can easily use
this software only by inserting the words and clicking “Speak Button”.
They will directly listen to the sound of the words. This can be inferred
that it will be obviously effective for teaching students’ pronunciation in
English.
In conclusion, based on the reasons above, The writer wants to conduct
an experimental teaching on pronunciation using computer media
entitled: The Effectiveness of Using Application software as a medium
to teach pronunciation: An Experimental study at English Education
Program of PPKD Training. 2

1.2       Identification of Problems

The assumptions deals with this research are as follow:

1. A1 speechTRON plays the significant role in learning EFL.
2. A1 speechTRON study will influence the learners’ pronunciation
mastery.

1.3       Limitation and Statement of Problem

The research will be conducted to discover the answer of these following

questions:
1. How is the implementation of A1 speechTRON as a medium in
teaching pronunciation?
2. How is the effectiveness of using A1 speechTRON as a medium in
teaching pronunciation?

1.4       The objective of the study

Based on the problem statements, the objectives of this study are as

follows:
1. To figure out the implementation of A1 speechTRON as a medium to
teach pronunciation.
2. To find out the effectiveness of using A1 speechTRON as a medium
to teach pronunciation.

1.5     The significance of the study

2
Disman Disman, Mohammad Ali, and M. Syaom Barliana, ‘The Use of Quantitative Research Method and
Statistical Data Analysis in Dissertation: An Evaluation Study’, International Journal of Education, 10.1 (2017), 46
<https://doi.org/10.17509/ije.v10i1.5566>.
1.The result of this study is expected to be useful for the teachers and
students to give alternative way to overcome their pronunciation
problems in teaching learning process especially in pronunciation.

2. For teachers, the result of this study can be used to help teaching
students’ pronunciation. So, the students can be easier to understand it.
Hopefully, this A1 speechTRON can be a medium to improve students’
pronunciation.
3.  For students, it can also be used to improve and develop their abilities
in English pronunciation. Because it will give them a lot of new
experiences in order that they will be more interested and enjoy in
learning pronunciation, to be a good English speaker. Furthermore, it is
hoped to give positive influences to students in their English speaking
skill directly.