Public speaking is a worthwhile asset in daily activities. People can be proficient in public speaking if they gradually practice. In order to increase students’ ability in public speaking, a community service of Department of English Language Education of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) conducted English Public Speaking for students of SMP Muhammadiyah 8 Yogykarta. The community service was intensively performed since March 6 to April 10. There were two lecturers performing the community service, Arifah Mardiningrum, M.A. and Andir Wirantaka, M.Hum.
Arifah stated that the community service focused on English speech as the medium of public speaking. “We implement the program to twenty students of 7th and 8th grades. Hopefully, the program can disclose qualified students to compete in English speech contests. We design the program in many ways so that students can obtain special attention. The program was not performed through common discourses, rather focuses on direct practices in every session,” declared Arifah.
Arifah continued, “The program also involves five students of Department of English Language Education of UMY. Every student of UMY handles four participants as a part of practical guidance. The materials focus on pronunciation, articulation, and body language. At the last meeting, we conducted a speech competition for the students. Hopefully, through this program, students can develop their public speaking skills.”
Moreover, Arifah hoped that students can continue their fervor to perform public speaking in daily activities. “We realize that students cannot revamp in this short period of time. Hence, we emphasize on improving students’ self-confidence.”
Additionally, an English teacher of SMP Muhammadiyah 8, Annanda Oktaria, S.Pd appended that the program can help students improving their English speaking ability. “Unfortunately, our school does not possess English Language extracurricular. To participate in an English speech contest, the students have to compete with all students from all over Yogyakarta. This program, in fact, can help students to elevate their knowledge in English speech, so that they can try to participate in future contests,” ended Annanda.
