This research aimed at improving students’ participation in learning English by using Dominoes. The research was done at Fifth Grade students of SD N 2 Bojongsari, Kembaran, Banyumas, consisting of 45 students. It was conducted for a month (November 2011)
The writer worked in collaboration with the English teacher in that school. This research was done based on Kemmis and McTaggart’s design. The writer took one cycle that consisted two actions. The procedures of the research were planning, acting, observing, and reflecting.
There were two kinds of data: qualitative data and quantitative data. The qualitative data were taken from interview, documentation, and field note. In analyzing the quantitative data, the writer used observation and questionnaire. The quantitative data were obtained by calculating the percentage of the indicators of students’ participation, both in contributive and initiative participation.
The result of the observation in Cycle 1 showed that the average of students’ individual activity in Action 1 was 27.8% which increased 39.6% in Action 2. It means that the improvement of the students’ individual activity in Cycle 1 was 11.98% and the average of students’ group activity in Action 1 was 33.3% which increased 44.45% in Action 2. It means that the improvement of students’ group activity in Cycle 1 was 11.1%. It was also supported by the result of questionnaire and interview. The result of questionnaire showed that 93.57% of the students gave positive response toward the implementation of Dominoes in learning English, and the data from interview showed that students were interested and enjoyed in learning English by using Dominoes. Based on the CAR result, Dominoes were able to improve students’ participation in learning English.