The Students' Linguistic Intelligence Profile on Speaking Skill at SMA Negeri 21 Makassar

Abstract

This research aims to reveal the students' linguistic intelligence profile on speaking skills. This research employed a qualitative research design, with the use of qualitative methods explored the relation between the students' linguistic intelligence to their skills or abilities in speaking. This study involved the students of class XI grade SMA Negeri 21 Makassar, consisted 50 students, in which the research participants were divided into two classes, XI.4 and XI.5, with 25 students per class. In the process of collecting the data, several instruments were utilized such as observation, students' English intelligence assessment that contained students' responses to linguistic intelligence, and interviews. This research analyzed the data through three phases, including data reduction, data display, and verification, in order to investigate the impact of students speaking skills as measured by their intelligence in linguistics, which were then classified into four categories such as low, average, good, and excellent. The result of this study revealed that the majority of students in both classes XI.4 and XI.5 mostly came into the good category regarding their linguistic capabilities, with 10 and 11 students, respectively. These findings indicated that a significant number of the students were dominating in the aspect of could speak the target language with correct intonation and pronunciation but still required corrections and guidance since the students were not too fluent in performing speech. Moreover, two students in grade XI.5 showed a high standard of fluency, vocabulary, and a good understanding of grammar and idioms, placing them in the "excellent" category. Both of these students demonstrated their linguistic knowledge can adapt well to various communication situations, and be aware of relevant communication norms and ethics.