Journal of English Teaching and Learning Issues 159 Journal of English Teaching and Learning Issues Volume 2 (2) 2019, page 159 - 170 DOI: 10.21043/jetli.v2i2.6104 The Implementation of Role Play to Improve Speaking Skill of Students at IAIN Kudus Alfu Nikmah 1* , M. Akmalun Niam Zam Zami 2 1, 2 English Education Department, Institut Agama Islam Negeri Kudus, Kudus, Indonesia Contact: Alfu Nikmah alfunikmah@stainkudus.ac.id ABSTRACT Speaking is one of the important language skills. Speaking relates to daily life as communication tool. It indicates students mastering English. Unfortunately the fact has shown that the students faced many problems to improve their speaking skill because they were accustomed to use their native language in their daily life than using English. The above facts make the lecturer apply some techniques that can motivate students to speak and engage students in encouraging their speaking. One of the techniques that encourage students to speak is role play. This study aims to find out the implementation of role play conducted in the first year students at IAIN Kudus. This study used quantitative research using observation and interview techniques. Based on the result of the study, it can be concluded that the result of this research was satisfying. There are four steps in by giving brainstorming to students, then Main Activity Students do r The third step is Follow Up, it discussed the role play, related to the theme, and finding out the expressions from the role play. The last is closing. Lecturer gave evaluation from th Based on response, this research claims that it was successful - Play. Students enjoyed in speaking through role play by making dialogue freely and they can express their talent in acting Moreover Role- speaking performance. KEYWORDS: English Students Association (ESA); English Skills; English Education Department; Introduction Speaking is perhaps the most important of human skills, and because we do it continuously, we do not often stop to examine the processes involved (Hayrire, 2004). The students often find some problems in practicing English speaking. The problem frequently found is that their native language causes them difficult to use the foreign language. Other reason is because they are lack of