Abstrak
This study aims to examine the effect of using the guided conversation method toward students’ speaking ability of eleventh-grade students at MAN 2 Bukittinggi. This research was conducted due to several issues related to speaking. They were: students’ speaking scores were still under the standard score. Apart from that, the method used by English teacher relied more on memorization. Furthermore, students’ did not get enough feedback or correction on their performances. This study uses a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test at the beginning before being given treatment and a post-test at the end of the meeting after being given treatment. The total population of this study was 347 students. The type of sample selection applied was purposive sampling. The number of samples in the experimental class was 29 students and the number of samples in the control class was 29 students. The technique applied was an English test where students in pairs chose a topic, created a dialogue, and presented it in front of the class in pairs. Thus, there was a pre-test, treatment, and post-test in this study. This study used the SPSS 23 application to analyze the data. The results identified in this study showed an increase in the scores of students who used the guided conversation method compared to the scores of students in classes that did not use the guided conversation method. The results of the data analysis showed that the average score in the experimental class was 72.38, and the average score in the control class was 62.76. The data analysis results show that the t-test score is higher than the t-table (4.120 > 2.003). It can be concluded that the guided conversation method has proven effective in improving students' speaking skills.