An Analysis of Students' Perceptions toward the Use of Positive Reinforcement in the English Classroom: The Case of Students of SMP Kristen Satya Wacana (SMP Lab UKSW) Salatiga

Abstract

In motivating students, sometimes teachers do not know how to deal with this problem. Mainly,it is because students less of confidence in discissing with teachers. Students also do not perform better in the class because of the less of confidence. This study examined the perceptions of students toward the use of positive reinforcement in the English classroom at SMP Lab UKSW Salatiga, Central Jva, Indonesia. The data were collected from the questionnaires that were given to 80 students grade VIII SMP Lab UKSW Salatiga, Centeral Java, Indonesia. Close-ended questionnaire was used to know about students' perceptions. the data were analyzed using SPSS software. The finding shows that almost all of students agreed that the use of positive reinforcement has positive impacts. those impacts consist of students' attendance. students' grade, and students'confidence. It was also found that the use of positive reinforcement might increase students'motivation and also could reduce inapporopriate behavior. Students believed they will perform better in the class with the increase of motivation.