THE USE OF ENGLISH PODCASTS TO IMPROVE LISTENING COMPREHENSION OF THE EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS OF SMP NEGERI 1 BANAWA TENGAH

Riska Hazmatul Askia, A 121 20 234. “The Use of English Podcasts to Improve listening Comprehension of the Eighth Grade Students of SMP Negeri 1 Banawa Tengah”. Skripsi. English Education Study Progam, Department of Language and Arts Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Tadulako University, under the supervision of Aminah and Maf’ulah.

This study examines the effectiveness of English podcasts as a medium for improving the listening comprehension of eighth-grade students at SMP Negeri 1 Banawa Tengah. Motivated by students’ low listening proficiency and limited exposure to authentic English audio, this research applied a quantitative quasi-experimental design with two groups: an experimental class that received podcast-based instruction over six sessions, and a control class that did not use podcasts. Data were collected through pre-tests and post-tests to measure listening gains. The results showed that the experimental group’s mean post-test score increased from 37 to 52, with nine students meeting the minimum passing standard, while the control group’s scores remained largely unchanged. A t-test revealed a significant difference (t = 7.39 > t-table = 2.009, p < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that integrating podcasts into English instruction can significantly enhance students’ listening comprehension.

Keywords: Podcasts, Listening Comprehension, EFL, Quasi-Experimental Study, Junior High School