OKTA MELY SUGIARTI Pengarang Maria Ramasari, M.Pd. Dosen Pembimbing 1 Dr. Epiasi, M.Pd. Dosen Pembimbing 2 Agus Triyogo, M.Pd. Penguji 2 Dewi Syafitri, M.Pd. Penguji 1 Maria Ramasari, M.Pd. Ketua Penguji OKTA MELY SUGIARTI Contributor

This research aimed to determine the effectiveness of using Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) in improving students' speaking skills at SMP Negeri 4 Lubuklinggau. The method applied in this study was a pre-experimental design with a one-group pre-test and post-test model. The sample consisted of 27 students from class VIII.G, selected through cluster random sampling. The data were collected through oral tests focusing on daily activities using the simple present tense. The results showed a significant improvement in students’ speaking abilities after the implementation of CLT. The average pre-test score was 54.66, with only 33% of students achieving the mastery criteria. After the treatment, the average post-test score increased to 71.92, with 74% of students reaching the “Mastered” category. Based on the statistical analysis, the results revealed that tobtained = 3.55, while at a significance level of α = 0.05, the ttable value was 2.056. Since tobtained > ttable (3.55 > 2.056), it can be concluded that the alternative hypothesis (Ha) is accepted and the null hypothesis (Ho) is rejected. Therefore, the hypothesis proposed in this study is confirmed. The findings indicate that CLT was effective in enhancing students’ speaking skills, particularly in improving their confidence, vocabulary usage, and ability to communicate in real-life situations. Keywords: Communicative Language Teaching 1, Junior High School 2, Simple Present Tense 3, Speaking Skill 4.