LITERATURE CIRCLES USING CLASSIC INDONESIAN SHORT STORIES TO IMPROVE CRITICAL SPEAKING SKILLS

Abstract

This study investigates the use of literature circles with the Indonesian classic short story Senyum Karyamin to improve EFL students’ critical speaking skills. The research employed a Classroom Action Research (CAR) design consisting of two cycles: planning, acting, observing, and reflecting. The participants were 20 university students enrolled in an English speaking class. Data were collected through speaking performance tests, classroom observations, field notes, and students’ reflection journals. Quantitative data were analyzed using mean score comparison, while qualitative data were examined through thematic analysis and triangulation. The results indicate significant improvement in students’ speaking performance. The overall mean speaking score increased from 67.6 in Cycle 1 to 80.0 in Cycle 2. The percentage of students achieving the minimum mastery level (≥70) rose from 50% to 90%. Observation data also revealed increased classroom engagement, with active participation improving from 60% to 90% and use of English during discussion from 58% to 86%. Reflection journals further indicated growth in students’ confidence, organization of ideas, and moral engagement with the literary text. These findings suggest that literature circles using culturally relevant literary texts can effectively promote communicative competence, critical thinking, and collaborative learning in EFL classrooms.