INGLISH - Indonesian English

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Writing Spoken Language in Higher Education of Indonesian Students-Comparison Contrast Essay

(General Statement) Writing spoken language is a common phenomenon among higher education students in Indonesia. Since English is a foreign language, students find it difficult to express their ideas into a good academic writing which fulfills its standard. Their reasons may vary from the grammar and structure, diction, and the notion to rules of formal writing. This phenomenon reduces when students start their classes in higher semester. It means that their writing skills evolve respectively along with the knowledge improvement. Even though some students get improvement in their writing skills, most of them still have spoken language writing.(Thesis Statement) This essay will explain about the nature of writing, the nature of spoken language, and phenomenon of spoken English writing among higher education students.

Home Schooling-Definition and Clarification Paragraph

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Here is the sample of definition and clarification paragraph :

Homeschooling is a part of education which belongs to a non formal one as stated in Article of Indonesian education system no. 20 year 2003. It is defined as a home based learning. Further, it could be single homeschooling or merged with others into community homeschooling. Actually the learning can be conducted anywhere such as in the garden, orphanage, hospital, park etc., as long as the venues can accommodate the topic of the learning materials.

Master's Degree (S2) and PhD (S3) requirement for career improvement

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My Red Devil Spirit; from the slum dog to the top dog

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The urgency of the term World Rank University

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Why do you use Oxford, Longman, Webster, or Cambridge Dictionary?

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1. Cambridge Dictionary
2. Longman Dictionry
3. Oxford Dictionary
4. Webster Dictionary

Do we need to learn English accents; British, American, or Australian?

Language is an arbitrary speech symbol including words, sound, and meaning. In effective communication, the main focus is two way communication which contains understanding the discussion topic between speaker and listener / sender and receiver.

Apparently, accent is not part of language aspects. This term rises when different group of people speak other languages. For an example, Indonesian people speak English. You will notice that their will have different accent comparing with English man. Their spoken English is affected by their mother tongue

CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning)

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1. Asia-Pacific Association for CALL
2. Eurocall 
3. Language learning technology
4. Pacific Association for CALL 
5. World CALL

Find your perfect e-dictionary

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1. Free Download English Indonesian Dictionary
2. Free Online Dictionary 
3. Urban dictionary

Communication strength to activate human emotion and behavior

In paradigmatic description of communication, it is well-known that communication has certain intention; informative and persuasive. Informative is a process of transferring information from one to another, meanwhile persuasive is a process of modifying people attitude, opinion, and behavior.

Persuasive communication is more difficult than informative one. We need certain technique and experience to communicate with any people. We have to adjust the technique for each person individually. In this way, people will talk to us emotionally because the subject of communication touch their necessity.

Which is the most important in effective communication? Verbal or Nonverbal

At glance, let's take a look at the process of interpersonal communication. This diagram may help you to have preliminary comprehension before you read the following summary

sender --> message --> medium (verbal language or nonverbal medium) --> interference --> receiver

Opinion and idea of human being change the media of communication. In the case of face to face communication, it uses both verbal and nonverbal. Verbal message is a word. It is represented by verbal language medium. On the other hand,  there is a nonverbal message represented by  nonverbal medium such as  gesture, cued word, image, or color.

Verbal communication is all kind of oral communication using word or more than one word. Almost all conscious communicative stimuli are included. Verbal category is conscious effort to relate with people in oral way. Moreover, unconscious verbal message is something that we talk about without intention within.

Writing Argumentative Paragraphs - Home Schooling

In argumentative paragraph, the writer wants the readers to accept or reject an idea, realize that action should be taken to solve a problem, or try a new way of doing something. The writer should state her / his opinion about something which s/he believes to be true. For examples :

1. Should smoking be judged as forbidden stuff?
2. Government should be centralize the power
3. Married with the same sex must be legalized

Before writing the paragraph, the writer should make a list of more than one reason in support of her/his opinion (pro) and the main reason against another opinion (contra).

The writer should be careful to avoid mistakes of evidence and logic. There are 3 most common errors:

1. False conclusion : the conclusion is not based on evidence
2. Misplaced causes and effects : just because A takes place before B does not mean A causes B; just because B follows A does not mean B is an effect of A
3. Bad evidence: evidence used comes from an outdated, incompetent, or biased source
   

Here is the example of argumentative paragraph :

Free Writing Versus Academic Writing

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1. Here are the examples of Free Writing, click here

2. Here are the examples of Academic Writing

• Argumentative Paragraphs
• Process Paragraphs
• Cause and Effect Paragraphs
• Comparison and Contrast Paragraphs

Writing Process Paragraphs

Here is the sample of process paragraph:

Flash Card is an effective tool to memorize new words in English. There are some steps to make a good one. Flash Card is a strip of paper that has blank space on the two sides. We can start to work on it by writing 5 words minimally on the front face. Then define the words by using synonyms, antonyms, or the associated word. The last step is filling out the rear face. On this page, try to compose sentences by using those 5 words. You can repeat the steps after finishing the previous one. This hand made tool is impractical, but it is very effective to plant the words in the brain memory for a long time

Writing Cause and Effect Paragraphs

Here is the example of cause and effect paragraph :

Most Indonesia people are ignorant about the dangers of cigarette smoking, therefore, they smoke this stick actively everyday without considering the effect toward themselves. The most dangerous effect is that cigarette smoke pollutes the lungs. It will affect the lungs' elasticity to compress the air and simultaneously shortens the breath. The other fact of  the dangers of cigarette smoke is its residue on physical appearance because it makes the teeth have a misty color and the eyes red. Pregnant women must avoid smoking this item because it will poison their fetus. The following effects are also important to consider in order to be fit. When the cigarette's chemicals flow in the blood vessel, it will increase blood pressure and lead to heart attack. Worst, it is able to impulse nother diseases and organ disorder like chronic itchy skin redness, cancer, throat disorder etc. All happen because 5 organs (the lungs, the heart, the kidneys, the liver, and the pancreas) are connected each other. When the lungs have a disorder condition the it will affect the others. Considering those adverse effects of cigarette smoking, people must avoid it now and ever.

Writing Comparison and Contrast Paragraphs

Comparison and contrast paragraphs are sometimes used to explain a topic. More often, they are used to support the evaluation of two persons, places, things, or ideas. For example, X is better, more beautiful, easier, more helpful, etc. than Y, and so X is preferable to Y.

Comparison identifies and analysis similarities between two person, places, things or ideas. In the other hand, Contrast identifies and analysis differences between two person, places, things or ideas.

Writers whose purpose is to compare (or contrast) in order to evaluate and select one of the persons, ideas, places, or events develop criteria (factors by which they can judge their topic) to make thee comparison (or cotrast). These criteria  are the points that are supported by the facts, examples, physical description, and/or personal experience generated by the writer.

Organization of Comparison and Contrast Paragraphs

There are two ways to organize a comparison/contrast paragraph

• Application of one criterion to both of the sub-topics within the topic at the same time (Basic Outline)

•  TOPIC SENTENCE

1.  X and Y (criterion 1) = supporting detail, supporting detail
2.  X and Y (criterion 2) = supporting detail, supporting detail
3. X and Y (criterion 3) = supporting detail, supporting detail
• CONCLUDING SENTENCE

• Discussion of each subtopic separately, using all criteria with each sub-topic (Alternative Outline)
• TOPIC SENTENCE

• X

1. Criterion 1 = supporting detail, supporting detail
2. Criterion 2 = supporting detail, supporting detail
• Y
1. Criterion 1 = supporting detail, supporting detail
2. Criterion 2 = supporting detail, supporting detail
•  CONCLUDING SENTENCE

Here is the sample text using the alternative outline :

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Reading for Pleasure

This term is usually used in the academic field or classes. Reading for pleasure is an additional reading activity which based on personal interest. Thus the main focus is merely having fun instead of academic activity. Implicitly there is also knowledge within as the final result.  This kind of learning is very effective to improve vocabulary and learn the writer's view point.

Indonesian students usually have a problem with English text book because they have 2 kinds of problem. Formerly it is concerning  (picture: http://www.chrlc.vic.gov.au/cb_pages/Parentscorner.php) with the language it self such structure and vocabulary, and later it is dealt with the culture or usually called as reading context. The main issue for Indonesian students it that they read English text books using Indonesian perspective and culture such as

• I think you do not like it (custom Indonesian students' writing)
• I do not think you like it (English textbook)

There are many other examples concerned with that issue in Indonesia. Apparently, reading for pleasure will help students to understand English text book better and improve their writing skill.

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EFL (English as a Fourth and Force Language) in Indonesia

Initially EFL stands for English as a Foreign Language and explicable among teachers, practitioner, and linguists. In my view point, EFL means English as a fourth language because most Indonesian learn it as the fourth one.

Indonesia inherits (picture:http://www.fcs.txstate.edu/cdc/parents.html) 750 local languages from previous forebear. Among them are 270 local languages serving as the first language. It gives critical identification among Indonesian as part of diversity. Secondly, people use Indonesian language at school and use it in a formal occasion. They take it as the second language. The following language plays on the third place; Arabic language. They learn it because it is an obligation as the impact of religion teaching. Albeit it does not happen for all Indonesian, I can say Arabic and Islam are one package. In fact, Islam dominates 80% population; therefore, Arabic becomes popular along with the growth of its conformist.

In elementary school, English is an optional subject from 4 - 6 grade. Lately, it becomes intriguingly important subject as the basement of  7-12 grade and higher education. It is considerable that Indonesian students have a problem in international communication because they learn English in the fourth order and  mere inside the class. With extracurricular activities and supporting language environment, it will help students to boost EFL (English as a fourth language) mastery in 4 language skills; listening, reading, speaking, and writing (LRSW).

Another term of EFL is English as a Force Language. I mean that Indonesian students still reluctant to study English and have not a specific intention to learn it.  Sometimes educators have to insist them with competitive assignment in order to advance their knowledge. Sharing cross culture understanding and language experience in foreign country may raise sense of urgency in learning English. The real experience will lead to a vivid perspective about the language usage in a real life.

EFL/ESL Resources

1. The educational resources and material
2. The news and learn English - Reading, Writing, Listening & Speaking

Principles of English Teaching by Communicative - Functional - Humanistic Approach

By: Asri Afifah

English teaching has been improving along with the improvement of science and technology, and alterations of human relationship. “Instruction” word represents one-way teaching from a teacher. Recently it has changed into “active learning” that emphasizes maximal role of students. Students is not considered as object of learning but subject

The innovation over the philosophic paradigm, such as how to use language in curriculum and its status as foreign language or second language has been made. But all that time, those are the improvement of many approaches and methods to replace the ineffective previous methods. One of the innovations is communicative-functional-humanistic approach.

By using communicative functional approach, learning process is the focus topic of interest of life; performed, memorized, recited, written, trained and so on. Daniel Parera 1986.
In humanistic psychology point of view, human conduct is the realization of selection and necessity of life. Therefore it is important for educators to plant and strengthen the awareness of strong necessity to master English. It is assumed as the failure factor of English learning at schools.

Language learning; English need to more react. Art (wolf liddle: 2000) that emphasizes on the aspect of flexible and extensive is not a science that seems rigid of improvisation. Communicative – functional approach is more emphasized in the characteristic of language nature, not scientific. It is appropriate with the linguistic theorem that language is speaking, habit, skill, instinct, mean of communication, and identity.

English learning by communicative functional approach will be relevant if it is integrated with humanistic approach.

English for Specific Purposes

By: M. Taufik 

This written is intended to be very much a practical guide, and to this end we have supplied a number of tasks at the end of each chapter. These are to get our thinking about the issues that are raised in that section and, in particular, to help to relate our necessarily general points to own specific situation. If we are concerned with teacher training, these tasks may also be useful as workshop or seminar activities. We can often be more valuable if done before reading the chapter itself.

Esp like form of language teaching is primarily concerned with learning and paid attention to the question how people learn – what people learn. So this book gives explanation about what does the learner need to learn the English language?

Introduction

The writers tried to give explanation about English for specific purposes to the learning. Especially for the new learner, cause the writers give explanation from based on designing of English language by Esp. The writers divided his written into tree sections;

Section: 1 about course design with the basic principles and techniques.

Section. 2.15 concerned with the practical application of the course design in the form at a Syllabus, Materials, methodology and assessment.

Section. 3 consider the role of the Esp teacher and process information about resources to help the teacher.

Analysis

The writer concluded the previous section by starting that Esp is an approach to language teaching that aims to meet the needs of particular learners. This means the teacher work by Esp is concerned with designing appropriate courses for various groups of learners. Designing a course is fundamentally a matter of asking questions in order to provide a reasoned basis for subsequent processes of Syllabus – design, materials writing, classroom teaching and evaluation. For example of syllabus design can be called with description of language, likes what the grammar used for our learners classical or traditional grammar. Structural linguistic which have any kind likes statement, interrogative, negative and imperative, and also likes time, number, gender, etc. And then the writer tried to give limitation about the material writing that match for the learners. The material of writing or learning must have connected with the learners need, likes science religion, or likes social network in our environment. Although likes that Esp must look about the abilities from the learner and given the differences material according what the learners needs. So Esp can analysis about the material from what are learning must do with the material they get. There many explanation from the course designing for the teacher to the learner by Esp. if these steps ever teacher doing, it means the teacher ever can analysis the situation next the teacher must have or made a Syllabus because language is so complex entity. It cannot be learn in one go and syllabus also gives moral support to the teacher and learner in that it makes the language-learning task appear manageable. So if the syllabus is made to the teacher and the learners. It can make give the large opinion to choose the material. It can be evaluation and can be design with the good model of learning; there are many applications in the Esp after made the course design. That’s have a specific purpose for the teacher and the learner that used of Esp absolutely this way have purpose to make easily understand to learn about Esp. In the Esp, usually has a role to make a stranger about the material, because the most material has many problem or invalid when the teacher given to the learner or when the learner get about the material. There are arises from causes:

1. There is a tradition in education of separating the humanities value and the science language have usually been allocated to the humanities camp.
2. Many material of design course are reluctant settler in the new theoretic.
3. The general materials of design course to be to expect the requirement of the target situation.

There are many problems in the material of design course. That’s make the Esp must have the role about the course of design the role of Esp is very important to involve the wrong way in the English language teaching.

Conclusion:

1.      When learn about the English language must knowing about the based design course of language and must know about our ability and our need about the material.

2.      The material must have a good references, it caused can give the limitation add supporting to find a good model to learn so far about the material. Especially for the language teaching.

Bibliography

Tom Hutchinson and Alanwaterss. 1987. English for Specific Purposes. Cambridge: Cambridge University press

Moslem and Religion Language

Writer : Herlina Bayu P.S.

I. Introduction

We say something and give idea, opinion, to another with language. In other words religion give us guide in our lives. Religion and language are important thing in our lives. This paper will give description about religion and language. Are there any relation among them ?

II. Content

According to Heidegver, "Language is the house of beings". It means that language is the center of life. By language, human being can express something, give information, etc. In the other words language used to make something, as we used a knife to cut something. We learn language as a child gives us not only a system for communication but more importantly, it dictates the type and the form of the communication. Moslem or human being and language can not separated, so that the quality and the style language of human being have showed us the quality of individuality and the culture where we was bomb. Filosof said : language is shining soul, if our mind were confusion, certainly the language was confusion. On the contrary, when the language got population, it influenced to our mind and our attitude. Well spoken is a good expression of clear concept, regulated nicely, attractive and can be enjoyed to hear and it can not be misunderstanding g among them.

Religion language is the language which used in religion term. Religion and language have near relation. The characteristic of religion language is :

1. The object of the religion language is metaphysics. It is about the concept of God, and the role of life, the description of heaven hell judgment day etc.
2. The subject matter of religion is holy book. There are many teaching, warning, reminder in the holy book people are invited to follow the role of life to make our life better.
3. Religion language consists of utterances, expressions, although people are using mother language. The example from statement is prayer with local language. If it is said by Arabic people, of course we are (as Indonesia people) difficult to differentiate between Al Qur’an utterance, Hadist and daily language. Beside it there are several difficulties about religion language are :

• The language of the holy book itself. Such as we know that holy Qur’am use Arabic language, it makes Moslem in another country difficult to understand it. They need translation of Qur’an.
• Little explanation form the master of religion (people need enough explanation about the information in the holy book).

Moslem is Islamic person who believed to God and followed what is rasulullah said. Moslem had differentiated mean with musrik. Sometimes, the faither is Moslem by all of Moslem did not followed what is rasulullah said. It means that they are Moslem in different mean (Allah said in Al imran 84-85).

The meaning:
Say: "We believe in Allah, and in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and in (the Books) given to Moses, Jesus, and the Prophets, from their Lord: we make no distinction between one and another among them, and to Allah do we bow our will (in Islam)."

If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah), never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good).

In Islam concept, well spoken can make some one near with-their God or far from him, beside it can invite them to the hell or to the paradise. Actually someone who has spoken without though before, until has gotten determent and regret. The concept of religion usually associate with the concept of God. Human being or Moslem better to speak and do something profit than speak or do something –lass. Because something lass can make human being or Moslem directed to bad character. Who's believe or faith to our God and doomsday, them they must be good spoken or must be silent (Muttaq'alaih by Abu Hurairah)

Religion consist of the system of value wish used a guide a daily. The one of function in language especially in religion language term is as media to understand religion. The religion language, as (Allah prophet, etc) very important to increase of faith. Language is the house where we are birth life and grow. Moreover for believers "Religion is the way of being" like language which it follow wherever we go. For example : when the Moslems met with another, they will be saying: Assalamu'alaikum but there aren't said it too. There are Moslems with different concept of religion. Some of them said that the mean of good relationship did not attended to another Moslems but they said that the mean of good relationship was saying a great to another. It is one of style form good relationship. Beside it Allah said (Al Hujurot, 13):

The meaning

Mankind we created you from a single (pair) of a male or a female and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that you may despise (each other) verily the most honoured of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquaited (with all things). (Al Hujurat; 13)

These are about human being to know one and others. Allah did not know for yaa ayyuhalladzina-amanu but yaa ayyuhannassu. A good relationship did not for Moslems but for all human being. In other verse, Allah said (Al Qoof, 16-18)
The meaning:
16. I was who created man and we know what dark suggestions his soul makes to him. For we are nearer to him than (his) jugular vein.
17. Be hold, two (guardian angels) appointed to learn (his doings) learn (and not them), one sitting on the right and one on the left.
18. Not a word does he4955 will bring truth (before his eyes) "this was the thing which thou was not trying to escape!"

4955 Then each "word" spoken is taken down by a "sentinel" (raqib) this has been contrued to mean that the sentinel only records word, not thoughts which are not uttered. Thoughts maybe forgiven if not uttered, and still more if they do not issue in action. At the stage at which we clothe a thought in word, we have already done an action. The recorders mentioned in the last verse make a complete record, in order supply motives and springs of actions, which will affect the degrees or status in the spiritual the honorable recorders.

There are many teaching, warning, reminder. From the holly book, this holly book invited us to follow the role of life to make our life better.

III. Conclusion
Moslems, language, religion always related each other. Sometimes Moslem haven't ability to reserve. But with it Moslems must increase their ability to gotten best faith in their life. Because the best Moslem is who believed and followed rasulullah said. Even though Moslem lived in religious society or community but they did not be lived to God. They did not Moslem. Than the best Moslem is they can give example for everything such as from their attitude, language, and etc.

Competence Based Curriculum (A hope for education in Indonesia)

By: Shoifah Muslikhatis Shofa

I.    Introduction

Government, in this case Minister of National Education has established “The policy of education quality improvement" on 2 May 2002. It represents the most precise momentum in order to anticipating global era, especially free market globalization of ASEAN, such as AFTA (Asean Free Trade Area), and AFLA (Asean Free Labor Area), and also in Area of State Asia Pacific (APEC). In era of free market and globalization, human face unpredictable change, it is supposed as a fisherman "in the free ocean" that is able to mislead otherwise have " a compass" as a guidance to act. It has resulted the nonlinear relation between education and employment "one to one relationship". Because what is going on in employment is difficult to be followed by education world, so that there is a difference.

The condition is required to be base thought of all organizer and all education official to develop continual maintenance system so that it can improve the continual quality improvement, because nowadays the improvement seems to be partial, no continuity, or patchwork.

That thing is required to be reasserted, if it is related to the chaching condition of society, in consequence of acceleration current information, globalization and multi dementia crisis that has not yet shown the improvement for almost seven year.

Government always copes to increase the quality of education, either through conventional or innovative way. Such effort is Competence Base Curriculum (CBC), named “The Curriculum 2004)”- in some schools of elementary and secondary education, it is immediately implemented (2004) at all subject of study area in all type of education.

II.    Analysis

CBC represents the alternative curriculum to face various education problems, especially study at school / Madrasah. It said that way because CBC gives the clarity about competence that must be inculcated to the learner during learning process.

A.    Base concept of CBC

Time to time, the problem of education represents the very complex problem, and most states dispute what ought to be taught at school. At least there are 4 concepts of curriculum that nowadays grow swiftly, namely:

-    Esensialis: "primary subject" is required for better education (Plato)

-    Ensiklopedisme: elementary subject with the broader coverage and open for everyone (comenisius)

-    First education model of senses basis (Aristoteles)

-    Pragmatic Movement orienting at child that is pioneered by John Dewey becomes the American typical breakthrough.

What about CBC that is being developed in Indonesia? it is the theories to use the competence concept. It declares in curriculum of Depdiknas, 2002 1) are:

1.    Competence relates to student ability to conduct something in any contexts

2.    Competence explains the learning experience that is experienced by students in order to be competence

3.    Competence represents learning out come that explains any actions of students learning process

4.    Reliability of students Ability to conduct something should be defined clearly and wide in achievable standard of measurable performance.

B.    The history of CBC

Study that is relied on competence or ability is teaching learning activity that is lead to provide knowledge, attitude and skilled to the learners to do something, in the form of a set action of intelligence (in the form of deftness, decision and efficacy) full of responsibility that must be owned by the someone to do any duties at the certain work. Mc. Ashan (1981:45) said that competence is:

"...is a knowledge, skills and abilities or capabilities that a person achieves, that become part of his or her being to the extent he or she can satisfactorily perform particular cognitive, affective and psychomotor behavior".

In addition, Gordon (1988: 109) that is cited by Mulyasa, explaining some aspects or ability that implied in the following competence: Knowledge, understanding, skills, value, Attitude, interest.

Concerning the statement above Depdiknas (2002:1) defines competence as knowledge, skilled, and base values that are reflected by thinking and acting habit that is consistently and continuously so that it is enable someone become competence, full of  knowledge, etc.

Based on the definition above, CBC can be interpreted as a curriculum concept that is emphasizing at ability development to conduct any duties with certain standard performance, so that the outcome can be felt by the learners, how far the achievement toward a set of certain competence.

C.    Characteristic of CBC

Characteristic of CBC includes appropriate competence selection: specification of indicator evaluates to determine the successfulness of competence improvement; and development system study. Despite CBC has a number of competences that must be mastered by learners, assessment is conducted based on certain standard as outcome of competence improvement posed by learners, the study more emphases at individual activity to master the required competence.

Depdiknas (2002) stated that Competence Base Curriculum has the characteristic as follows

-    Emphasizing the achievement of students’ competence individually and classically as well

-    Learning outcomes and multiculturalism orientation

-    Learning transformation uses various method approach

-    Source of learning is not merely teacher, but also others that fulfils educative element

-    Assessment emphasizes at the process and outcome of learning in the effort improvement or achievement any competences.

D.    The Learners in CBC

Competence Base Curriculum is developed by psychologist behaviorist that is very emphasizing and paying attention on the multiculturalism and also learners’ characteristic. At least there are five learners’ difference that are required to be paid attention in CBC, those are intelligence, creativity, defect of physical, cognitive growth and requirement.

E.    Indicator of CBC achievement

At least there can be identified three factors that is causing the quality of education do not improve for all (Depdikbud, 1989)

-    Policy And management of national education use the approach of education production function or input-out put analysis that does not executed by consequently

-    Management of national Education is done by bureaucratic - centralistic, so that the school very depends on bureaucracy

-    Participation of society, especially parents are very minim.

The existence Of CBC leads to better education world and it is expected to become the alternative improvement of education quality in Indonesia. the achievement of quality is visible from indicators below

-    The improvement of independence and initiative to manage the available sources

-    The improvement of efficiency and effectiveness management through the division of clear responsibility, democratic and transparent

-    The improvement of attention and participation of citizen

-    There is a fair competition among interscholastic in the improvement of education quality

-    The improvement of effective teaching learning that is emphasizing learning to know, learning to do, learning to be, and learning to live together.

III.    Closure

CBC is a dilemma

The school that is implemented CBC will find the difference than curriculum 2004. For example, in admission filling of gradual report, despitefully there is a standard of students’ achievement that is determined by according to policy of certain school. Then, it raises optimism and pessimist at the same time. Optimism is due to desire of policy taker to increase the quality of Indonesian education that still left behind with the other states, as well as it will give the motivation to education officer to be optimal of their activity. Even with the existence of minimum standard value will be able to improve the spirit of student.

While pessimist view is due to the experience when government implement the National Final Exam (UAN) Minimally 4,25, there are a lot of fail student. Central Java for example, student SMA/MA/SMK are reported that they have been fail about 25,59 % or 71,153 from 278,048 students. How the result if the minimum standard is 65? There is a big chance that we will have a long list of students that follow the remedial because they do not pass the exam. It means we should add class room and hard homework to all educator, at the same time it becomes the threat to school that its protégé ability is under the standard, because the school has to work more so that its protégé can reach the minimum standard.

CBC is a hope

In course of teaching learning process, CBC that is altering the paradigm from teaching become the learning requires the active student to be more in his study. Students learn "to search" ability that is required. To alter this paradigm, the teaching learning process has to be managed better and automatic conducive requires various strategies. That is the opinion of Sukmana (Pikiran Rakyat, 11/03).

CBC has some availability than the other models. First, this approach has natural character (contextual), because pre, focus and post point are student centered to emerge the students’ potency. Secondly, CBC may be a base to the other ability development. Third, there is a certain subject that is in its development more precise using the competence approach. The learners represent the object of learning and learning process conducts naturally and experienced based on a certain competence standard, non transfer of  knowledge .

Consciously or unconsciously, at present we still adopt the design of West curriculum (America And Europe). They are assumed to more intelligent and quickly in predicting any opportunities so that they find new innovations as the breakthrough in the education. Whereas we still stick around in searching process of curriculum concept. Almost in every 10 year curriculum changes, however the out come is not like the expectation. Change is required, but the concept doesn't overrule the elementary ability of students. This consideration is intended upon that comparison and study for us to innovate continually in educational field.

References:

Majid, A dan Andayani, Dian. 2005. Pendidikan Agama Islam Berbasis Kompetensi Konsep dan Implemantasi Kurikulum 2004. Bandung: Remaja Rosda Karya

MOP No 278 Tahun XXIV. Oktober 2005

Mulyana, E. 2003. Kurikulum Berbasis Kompetensi Konsep Karakteristik, Implemantasi, dan Inovasi. Bandung: Remaja Rosda Karya

The Grammar Translation and the Direct Method are the Best Language Teaching Methods in Indonesia

By : Eko Puji Lestari

I.              INTRODUCTION

The success and the failure the teacher in English teaching can be seen from the final result of learning. If on the fact its result is fail, so the teacher still blamed for that failure. In this case, the pupils are not guilty because however the pupils only follow the lesson plan that is offered by their teacher. This teacher’s weakness must been followed up by the mastery of representative methodology. So, the teacher must keep on professionalism from all sort of sides are the mastery of material, punctuality, responsible, and efficient methodology.

If the teacher does not have good methodology of English teaching, it will create the situation of school as if suspended animation. The pupils cannot understand the explanation of teacher but rather is impressioned ignorant and egoist.

The most efficient method for English teaching as a foreign language in Indonesia is Grammar – Translation and Direct Method. Both of these methods are used in English teaching and different situation and the goal of English learning. If the goal of English learning is read its literature, the teacher uses the Grammar – Translation Method. And if the goal of English learning is oral communication skills, the teacher uses the Direct Method.

This article will explain about both of these methods for English teaching as a foreign language in Indonesia. On the next chapter will be explained both of these methods in detail.

II.            ANALYSIS

A.      The Grammar – Translation Method

Actually the main goal of English learning is capability to speak English, but to speak English will must been support by the grammar of the structure of English. So previously the teacher must teach the grammar of English. Howatt (1984) points out that:

Although the Grammar – Translation Method often creates frustation for student, it makes few demands on teachers. It is used in situations where understanding literacy texts is the primary focus of foreign language study and there is little need for a speaking knowledge of the language.

The goal of this method is read its literature. The emphasis of this method is accuracy in translation. This method usually uses a textbook. From a text book, the pupils can find new vocabulary base on solely on the reading text used and can analyze the structure from that textbook. Haron and Weldon (1977) on their book explained that:

A written report is when a student writes a composition, essay, event, or personal experience. It helps a student develop a variety of skills that are necessary when writing. They are grammar, diction, and spelling.

So this method also helps to strengthen speaking English skill

B.     The Direct Method

To know the quality of English learning is know in how far that language recorded by pupils that brought into reality in communicative form. If the pupils have not showed capability to speak English that studied, so the process of that learning has not been said success although the mastery of grammatical is very satisfy. Zack and Theodore (1986) explain that:

The goal of trying to teach conversation skills was considered impractical in view of the restricted time available for foreign language teaching in school, the limited skill of teachers, and the perceived irrelevance of conversation skill in a foreign language.

In this method, the teacher must demonstrate object and picture that will be taught, so pronunciation and grammar is correct. In this case will enable to increase new vocabulary everyday and every time, and the pupils can both see and hear the procedure. Beside that by this method, the pupils can more active because in this case take place a dialogue between teacher and pupils. Haron and Weldon (1977) in their book said that:

A directed discussion includes the acts of listening, questioning, sharing comment, and evaluating a topic by the student and teacher. Its main purpose is to help pupils clarify and retain more of what they have read and learned.

In this method, the words are taught through speech and listening comprehension.

III.          CONCLUSION

From the explanation above, we know that methodology English teaching is important for the teacher. Teaching method of English that most efficient for Indonesian teaching learning process is The Grammar – Translation and Direct Method. In Grammar – Translation Method, achievement of correct grammar and pronunciation are taught at the beginning. Before the teacher teach the correct speaking, therefore needed a mastery of grammar at first. Then, direct method is taught over and over into habit. Direct method is needed in order to improve the classes into active and pupils become more active. At last, there will be positive stimulus and response between teacher and pupil.

IV.          REFERENCE

C. Richards, Zack and Theodore S. Rodgers. 1986. Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.

Howat. 1984. A History of English Language Teaching. Oxfords: Oxfords University Press.

K. Zenger, Haron and Weldon F. Zenger. 1977. 7 Ways to Teach A Quick Reference for Teachers. United States of America.

Munon, David. 1991. Language Teaching Methodology A Text Book for Teachers. Sidney: Prentice Hall.

Picture for Language Learning

Writer : Ahmad Syahirul Alam
Abstract:
Picture is one of the important things
In language learning, perhaps with using
Pictures can help the teachers to motivating
The student to interested in language
Learning process.

Key word: criteria of pictures, roles of pictures and advantages of using pictures

A. Introduction

Many language teachers are as concerned to help their students to develop as people and in their ability to relate to others, as they are to help them to develop their ability to use the foreign language. In example, it is not enough for students to have a competent ability in a language if they cannot develop a conversation or discussion. It is important to have as wide range of resources as possible in the classroom so that the students can have a rich base and stimulus for this development. And the resources must include pictures. It is very common to hear people say that pictures are all right for beginners and for young people but not for advanced students or exam classes. This statement is unhelpful and untrue. Any activity done in the classroom must be efficient in achieving its purpose. Pictures should certainly be subjected to some practical criteria for assessment of their value, but such criteria should apply to all activities whether they involve pictures or not.


According to Andrew right that teachers especially language teachers did not required to buy pictures, they may create the picture by them self although their pictures did not good enough. But language teachers must know that the pictures must involve five criteria, those are:


1. Easy to prepare

If it is difficult for teachers to prepare in relation to what you will get out of it, then don’t do it. If it takes an hour or two to prepare an activity that you can then use many times with different closer, then it is worth it.


2. Easy to organize

Opening textbook is not difficult to organize, but most other activities do require organizational time and energy. So the way out is using a pictures.


3. Meaningful and authentic

Actually the teachers fail down heavily at this point. It is also probably true that many activities that appear to be communicative are little more than empty drills, in the sense that no one really cares about the meaning.


4. Interesting

Textbook may be interesting but on the other hand, teachers and students might like to have a change from it. And of course, may not be interesting at all.


5. Sufficient amount of language
Will the activity give rise to a sufficient amount of language in order to justify its inclusion in the language lesson? If not, don’t do it.


These five criteria can be applied by any teachers such as teachers of advanced adult students or teachers of exam classer, or teachers of beginners.


USING PICTURES BY EMPHASIS ON SPEAKING AND WRITING

Speaking and writing are both productive skills and pictures can often be used in similar ways to promote them. The word ‘emphasis’ is included in the heading because the other skills of listening and reading are also integrated in many of the activities described. Indeed in some activities described in this part, the receptive skills are equally important. For example, in the well-known activity’ describe and draw, one student gives instructions while the other listens and draws.


There are some roles for pictures in speaking and writing:

1. Pictures can motivate the students and make them want to pay attention and want to take part.

2. Pictures contribute to the context in which the language is being used. They bring the world into the classroom.

3. The pictures can be described in an objective way or interpreted or responded to subjectively.

4. Pictures can cue responses to questions or cue substitutions through controlled practice.

5. Pictures can stimulate and provide information to be referred to in conversation discussion and story telling.

After know about some roles for pictures in speaking and writing above perhaps teachers can have a central aim, this is to help the students develop skill and confidence in searching for meaning by themselves.


Beside picture can used by the teachers and speaking and writing, they also can using picture on listening and reading. There are two reasons why pictures have a mayor role to play in the development of students skills in listening and reading:


1. The meanings we derive from words are affected by the context they are in, pictures can represent or contribute much to the creation of context in the classroom.

2. It is often helpful if the students can respond to a text non verbally, pictures provide an opportunity for non-verbal response.


CONCLUSION


After know about the criteria of pictures, and some roles for pictures in speaking, writing, reading and listening, we can attracts conclusion that with pictures in language learning process the teachers can motivated the students to interested to the new language. Beside that there are five advantages of using pictures for language learning:


1. Pictures can arouses student interest.

2. Pictures give more opportunity for, students to use the language.

3. Pictures attract students’ attention.

4. Pictures help students to understand the meaning of a word better.

5. Pictures can adds a pleasurable variety to English learning.


Perhaps with five advantages above could be a consideration for the teachers that pictures can’t be separated with language learning process in any degree of students.


Bibliography:

Wright, Andrew. Pictures for Language Learning. New York: Cambridge University press. 1989.

Nunan, David. Language Teaching Methodology. New York: Practice hall. 1991.

Song for Teaching English in Kindergarten

Writer:  Ahmad Tumidi
BACKGROUND

Song is one side that can't be separated from kids. Singing a happy song and playing it in the garden are very interesting for them. In kindergarten, studying English is hard and teacher may have many difficulties to teach them. And teacher will try some ways to solve it. A wise teacher understands about students’ world, that children are familiar with playing, singing, refreshing and many others pleasure activities. So, several of them choose song as one of media to teach English. There are many possible reasons why using song in studying English for foreign learner. Those are:

1.      Many people said that "Learning English is difficult, so song will help to make it easier and interesting for beginner. As a fact, a case of many students who didn't success in passing the last examination this year in our country are caused by their trouble in English mark.

2.      English is one of specter subject for student. As one fact; when I was guiding fail student of junior high school last fasting month in SMP Sultan Fatah when I asked one of them to read the text, she said "wongjowo kok kon moco inggris pak.. pak…" and the other, when they were repealing third examination (Paket B test for SMP) last Saturday 19 November 2005 most of them were surrender and waited the help from teacher that gives them the answer because they were afraid would have trouble with their own answer and it would make them got same result, failed in passing the last exam again. Siti Riwayati (one of student from SMP 5 Salatiga and now in SMK Diponegoro Salatiga)  said "tekoho jam piro pokoke aku nung gu dewa penolong, timbang tak garap dewe salah. malah sesok aku ora sido ning Sumatra", Mr. Sri asked " Lha ngopo' ek?", she answered "PON tho pak makili lomba lari".

3.      Kids’ life is familiar with playing, happiness and Entertainment.

4.      Children prefer to do something that make them happy.

5.      Children concentration to attend a class is twice of age

6.      Children are sensitive with bore.

7.      Singing happy song can stimulate their spirit.

We can see in many kindergartens or elementary school, their voice louder when there are singing a song than other subject although at the last time of schedule, at the afternoon.

8.      Singing is the simple way to memorize material.

Today English is one of favorite subject to be studied. Most of student study English proudly and also their parents, there are also many student afraid to study English, so teacher should have a way to solve it.

A FACT

When we are baby, we heard and listened what people said, repeat as possible, without think it means. It happened in our life because of that behavior in large number of frequencies baby who tried to say and used that voice gradually. Baby will use the language to express his willing after they had understood the meaning of word. After baby has understood the meaning of word and able to use it, study writing is one of possibility for beginner. Student will find many problems to solve such as the differences of spelling and pronunciation between English and their mother tongue.

For instance:

Spelling

Letter              English            Indonesia

A                                 ei                     a

B                                 bi                     be

C                                 si                      ce

Pronunciation

Word               English            Indonesia

Book               buk                  bo'ok

Apple              aepi                  aple

Paper               peipe                paper

Base on that statement above, the learner needs some ways look them up to learning English easily. This paper will discuss that singing English song as one of first step in study English.

THE FUNCTION OF SONG FOR KIDS EDUCATION

In paragraph above we have understood that kids life familiar with song and singing a song. Although many teenagers dislike to sing a song, but may be they used to like it. When Children sing a song, it is not always caused by their talent or good voice but their happiness, pleasure and express their life. Other fact shows the important song for children, there are many song in kid's magazine for instant Ceppy, Bobo and others. The functions of song are:

1.      Emotional Education

By singing children will find the real life, happiness and freedom eto (express. Each song has spirit such as happy song, slow song or soft song. It very important to build student attitude, such as:

a.       Enthusiasm and spirit song will bring student become optimistic and ambitioned.

b.      Struggle song will bring student doing something hardly.

c.       Slow, soft and sad song make student to be calm, polite and kind.

d.      Sad song also makes student love others.

2.      Motoric education

In our life, when we hear music will move our body to following the intonation of its. Music is one of effective evident to stimulate moving people to enjoy and dancing. Children will move their body freely when they hear music-wake up from sad and pessimism student.

3.      Developing of imagination capability

The title of song will show what song tells about. The imagination of children will be brought by the narrative of song, because song consist of many contains base on its title, such as:

a.       The beauty of country

b.      Story of hero

c.       Love story and many others.

4.      Emphasizing student self confident                    

Singing a song is one of way to express student being. It can show when the student singing together in kindergarten. Some of them sing louder than other, but when they sing a lone in from of class will sing calmly and some time no voice.

5.      Developing of language capability

Song consists of many sentences and sentence consists of word. So, by sing a song student will follow to say word like native song (correct spelling and pronunciation) and by thinking the meaning student will understand the meaning. It is possible that students express what they want by choosing the word that found in the song. Student will always remember that word because when sing a song he understand further about a song.

6.      IQ development

There is no doubt that song can improve student knowledge, especially in language because song mentioned many word so student will find new word.

7.      Ethic moral education

Song will bring student as its means; happier, calm, free from fear, love to other, kind and others.

HOW TO CHOOSE SUITABLE SONG FOR CHILDREN

1.      Researching in theme and content

Teaching song for children should be selective because not all songs suitable and able as medium of education for them. And should be known that not all education titled songs are able to be understood in all levels of children, for instance: play group songs (for 3-4 years old), kindergarten songs (for 5 years old), elementary songs (for 6/7 12) are different.

2.      Understanding the ambitious

Ambitious is a long distance of the lowest and me highest tone in a song. There are many differences between children, teenager and adult because the mastering of it depends on age, older is higher.

3.      Study about melodies difficulties

The difficulties of song are affected by interval of note. Children can't sing a song when it has too high of interval. Beside interval, difficulties of song depend on the price of tone. Song will more difficult to sing if the price of tone is smaller.

4.      Study song spirit and type

Many kinds and contain of song:

a.       Happy

b.      Pleasure

c.       Admire

d.      Amaze

e.       Sad

f.       Surrender, etc.

TEACHER CREATIVITY

1.      Change the song

To Change the song is only change or translate the poem or sentences of a song.

Example:   senin

selasa

rabu

kamis

jum'at

sabtu

minggu

itu nama-nama hari

Become

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Those are names of the day

2.      Create the song

To create a song is make a song by us than there isn't before.

TEACHING SONG

1.      Song preparation

Song preparation consist of:

a.       Mastering that song before

b.      How to make easier in mastering the class

2.      Emotional preparation

To make our student interested we must:

a.       In a good performance

b.      Enthusiasm and optimism

c.       Don't bring private problem

3.      Choosing condition

As a teacher we must kind in choosing best condition when we want to let our student to sing a song.

References:

1.      Diktat program penyetaraaan guru TK (K-100) kab. Temanggung Angkatan II tahun 2001

2.      Niven david, Ph.D. 2002. The 100 Simple Secret of Successful. Hipper Collins Publishers. New York

3.      Alhamd Ibrahim, 2002. Bersama pendidik muslim. Darrul Haq. Jakarta.

4.      Dryden Gordon dan vos Jeannette, 2003. Revolusi cara Belajar. Kaifa. Bandung

5.      ScottA. Wcndy and Lisbeth H. Ytreberg. 2003. Teaching English to Children. Longman New york