Students’ Perception toward Implementation of Kamishibai as A Medium for Practicing Japanese Speaking

Speaking in Japanese language is commonly assumed difficult by most of Japanese language learners. Lack of confidence, anxiety, lack of practices, and learning process that doesn’t focus on speaking ability become the causing factors of the difficulities. There are many strategies, methods, techniques, and mediums that can be implemented in learning Japanese speaking, one of them is by storytelling. In Japan there is an enticing and interactive storytelling medium called kamishibai . Kamishibai is a form of visual and participatory storytelling that combines drawing pictures with the engaging narration of presenter. Segu (2016) stated that kamishibai is effective to improve students’ ability in storytelling. Hence, the purpose of this research is to identify students’ perception toward the implementation of the kamishibai as a medium for practicing Japanese speaking. Respondents of the research were 18 students of SMA Pembangunan Laboratorium Universitas Negeri Padang. The data are the students’ responses to the close-ended questionnaire with 4 points of Likert’s scale. The research results demonstrate that more than 88% of respondents have positive perceptions toward the implementation of kamishibai as a medium for practicing Japanese speaking. Almost all of students think that by implementing kamishibai in Japanese language learning will improve their interest, enthusiasm, confidence, and motivation in speaking Japanese.