This research is aimed at finding out whether: first, Role-Play is more effective than DirectInstruction in teaching speaking in the eighth grade students of SMPN 3 Colomadu in the academic year of 2012/2013; second, the students with high motivation have better achievement in speaking than the students with low motivation; and third, there is an interaction between teaching techniques and the studentsâ motivation in teaching speaking.The research was carried out at SMPN 3 Colomadu from Oktober 2012 to April 2013. The research method was used as experimental study. The independent variables in this research were the use of teaching methods (Role-Play and Direct Instruction) and the attributive factor was studentsâ learning motivation, while the dependent variable was speaking achievement. The samples were two classes. In taking the sample, cluster random sampling technique was used. The writer took the data from the second semester students of the eighth grade at SMPN 3 Colomadu. Group 1 and 2 were the sample of the research. The first group was used as the experimental class and the second group was used as the control class. Each class consists of 24 students. They were a non-test technique (aquestionnaire for studentsâ motivation) and a test technique (speaking test). Furthermore, to analyze the data, the researcher applied the descriptive statistics in looking for mean, median, mode and standard deviation. ANOVA and Tuckeyâs test were used as inferential statistics. However, the researcher conducted two prerequisite tests before applying inferential statistics. They were normality test adopting Liliefors method and homogeneity test adopting chi-square (Ï2) test.After analyzing the data, the findings are as follows: first, Role-Play is more effective than Direct Instruction to teach speaking; second, The students who have high motivation have better speaking mastery than those having low motivation; third, There is an interaction effect between teaching methods and motivation on studentsâ speaking achievement. Based on the result above, it can be concluded that Role-Play is more effective to teach speaking competence. The effectiveness is affected by the studentsâ motivation. Moreover, teachers are suggested to be more creative and innovative in using or even mixing the various kinds of methods in order to facilitate the students who have different characteristics in learning speaking.Keywords: Role Play, Direct Instruction, Studentâs Motivation