The objectives of the research are to find out how Talking Chips Technique is implemented effectively in improving the students? participation and to find out the students? participation when Talking Chips Technique is used in EFL classroom at the twelfth grade of SMK Batik 2 Surakarta in the academic year of 2014/2015.
The method used in this study is Classroom Action Research (CAR). This research was conducted in 2 cycles. Each cycle was done in 3 meetings. Every cycle consists of four stages: planning, acting, observing, and reflecting. The data were collected through observation, questionnaire, interview, diary, field note, and photograph. The approach used in collecting data for this research was qualitative supported by simple statistic calculation. The students? participation during the EFL classroom was reported every 5 minutes in the observational sheet. The subject of this study is the twelfth grade of 2nd Accounting students in SMK Batik 2 Surakarta in the academic year of 2014/2015. The students? composition of twelfth grade of 2nd Accounting class is 31 girls and 1 boy.
In implementing Talking Chips Technique effectively, there are some points to consider. They are (1) The students? grouping that should determine heterogeneously, (2) the management of EFL classroom, and (3) the adaptation of Talking Chips Technique. The results of the research show that there are positive improvements in the students? participation due to the implementation of Talking Chips Technique. This result is supported by the students? observation score which increases significantly. The students? mean score on the pre-research is 1.9. Meanwhile, the students? score on post – observation 1 is 3.56 and 4.69 on post – observation 2. By following Talking Chips procedures, the students are able to work cooperatively with their group. The students focus in the teaching and learning process, offered ideas and thought spontaneously, and answered the questions voluntarily. Moreover, the students can do the task appropriately.
The conclusions of this research are the use of Talking Chips Technique with some adaptations can improve the students? participation and create an effectiveness of teaching and learning in EFL classroom in twelfth grade of SMK Batik 2 Surakarta.