IMPROVING CHILDREN'S SPEAKING AND VOCABULARY SKILLS THROUGH DESCRIBING PEOPLE AND WORD MATCHING ACTIVITIES AT RUMAH CAHAYA BARU ORPHANAGE

Abstract

English speaking and vocabulary skills are important for developing children's communication abilities and increasing their confidence in using English in everyday situations. This community service program aimed to improve children's speaking and vocabulary skills through Describing People and Word Matching activities at Rumah Cahaya Baru Orphanage. The program was carried out through four stages: needs observation, activity planning, implementation, and evaluation. The learning activities consisted of introducing vocabulary related to physical appearance and personality traits, guided speaking practice, interactive discussions, and Word Matching games designed to reinforce vocabulary retention in an enjoyable learning environment. The evaluation was conducted through direct observation of children's participation and performance during the activities. The implementation of the program showed that the children actively participated in all learning sessions, demonstrated better understanding of the target vocabulary, and became more confident in describing people using simple English expressions. The interactive activities also encouraged communication, collaboration, and enthusiasm for learning English. Overall, the program provided meaningful learning experiences and contributed to the development of children's speaking and vocabulary skills. These findings indicate that educational activities integrating Describing People and Word Matching can serve as an effective and engaging approach to English language learning for children in orphanage settings.