My English Essay and Composition

Trip to Bandung

2011-10-31T23:55:00.005+07:00

Last Month, My friends and I had a wonderful tip Bandung. We had three days trip there, from Friday to Sunday. We left to Bandung on Friday Afternoon and it only took about three and half an hour by car from Tangerang, our home town. We started at 2 P.M and arrived around 5.30 P.M in Bandung. As soon as we arrived in Bandung, we took a rest in a hotel downtown Bandung. After taking a rest and a shower, we had dinner and prepared for a night tour in Bandung.

Around 7.30 P.M, we drove to Ciampelas to buy some jeans and t-shirts. After 2 hours shopping there, we dropped at Ciwalk for half an hour to relax and enjoy the beauty of Ciwalk. Our next destination is Ciwidey and Cimangu. It took about one and half an hour to be in Ciwidey and Cimangu. Unfortunately, we couldn't visit Ciwidey because of the bad weather and continued to Cimangu, around one kilometer from it. In Ciwidey, we had a warm water bathing. All of us jumped into the warn water and enjoyed it a lot. Our body soaked in a big warm swimming pool for about an hour before we stopped. At 2 A.M on Saturday, we took a rest in of villager's house there near Ciwidey.

On Saturday we had a great activity because we did many things. First we went to Ciwidey. We enjoyed the nature of Ciwidey's View. We stayed there for about one hour. Around 10 o'clock, we went to Strawberry Park located in Ciwidey, too. We learnt how to plant the strawberry and of course ate some products made of strawberry, such as fried rice, cake and juice. On Saturday afternoon around 2 P.M, we came back to hotel to drop our luggage. After 2 hours in hotel, we went to Cibaduyut for shoes shopping. At around 7 P.M, we went to Dago Street to enjoy Saturday night there. On Sunday Morning, we packed up and went back to Tangerang.

(http://www.text-types.com/2011/01/sample-of-recount-trip-to-bandung.html)

Function of Recount Text

2011-10-26T23:09:00.005+07:00

A recount is a text that contains of retelling events that happened in the past. A Recount Text usually uses the Past Tense and Past Continuous Tense in its content and its sequence of events told. Its generic structure are the Orientation, Series of Events, and Re-orientation. The Orientation is a part of recount text that tells the introduction of the interesting event being told. The series of event is the sequence of things that happen from the beginning until the end. Lastly, a re-orientation is the feeling and impression after doing the events.

Is there any function in using a recount text as a writing composition? The answer is Yes, there is. For those who like writing diaries, you can use the recount text to write the story. When using the recount text in dairy, you will be able to organize the writing well. Besides, you can improve the content of your diary in terms of the grammar, diction, and content. For instance, a diary is supposed to use pas tense in its writing, and in writing a recount text you have to use Past Tense and Past Continuous Tense temporarily. It means that when you already know what recount text is, you will absolutely improve the content of your beloved diary. However, when you have not known what recount text is, the diary will not be organize well and it may impact in your interest in reading it someday.

Therefore, learning a recount text is important. You can also make some articles using recount text. The articles' content will be your interesting and funny stories that may be people love. Then you can share it on web-blog so many people will get entertained and they can feel what you experienced in the past.

Another Example of Recount Text

2011-10-26T23:02:00.002+07:00

Joining the Traditional Dance Competition

I joined the Traditional Dance Competition in Jakarta last year. I represented my Junior High School. It was my biggest competition. I practiced hard with my teacher for a month. We also prepared the best costume we had.

We only had one day in Jakarta. We went there by plane. We left at 6 a.m. and arrived in Jakarta at 7 a.m. We took a taxi to take us to the place where the competition was held. It took an hour to get there. There were already some participants when we arrived. The competition would start in an hour.

First, my teacher and I went to the dressing room. My teacher helped me do the make-up and the costume. We spent almost an hour for the preparation. I told my teacher that I was really nervous. I was not ready for this. However, she told me that everything was alright, and I felt better.

Then, the time came for me to perform on stage. There were five judges and about two hundred people watching me. However, I did not feel nervous anymore. I performed on the stage confidently. I really did the best I could. I was glad when it ended smoothly.

After that, we waited for the announcement of the result. It was 4 p.m. when the judges finished making their final decision. I was so impatient to hear the result. I still could not believe when they called my name as the first winner. I was so happy to be given the trophy. My teacher was also proud of my achievement. Finally, we went back to Yogyakarta in the evening. We were so tired. However, we were satisfied because our effort was not useless.

Example of a Simple Recount Text

2011-10-14T22:29:00.003+07:00

A Possum in the House

Once there was a small possum that went to visit my house. The possum was very tired and hungry. He went to different places to find food, so he made a big mess around the house.

First, he went into the cupboard in the big kitchen. After that he went to the small washing basket. The possum's next stop was the study room. Here he perched on the top of the bookshelf. Next, he went to lounge and hid in the stereo. After visiting the lounge he went to the bathroom. In the bathroom he squirted all the toothpaste out. Then he hid in the toilet.

Finally, the possum went to the bedroom and slept on the bed. He looked very cute when sleeping.

Question: Can you guess the generic structure of the text above?

Cloze Text of Recount (Example)

2011-10-13T13:30:00.012+07:00

Feel in the blanks with the word provided below!

(travel, held, write, food, saw, drink, limited, plenty, done, visit, spend, fearing, departed, success)

My Rush Time as a Journalist

I usually woke up at eight o'clock a.m. and went to the Press Center to check the daily schedule of briefings and press conferences. It was usually (11) ____________ by the United Nation officials or disaster mitigation team.

It was challenging to (12) ___________ different refugee camps to find soft stories, human interest stories. After that I went back to the Press Center to cover the press conferences of the day.

It was heart breaking when I (13) ____________ these survivors fight for food and secondhand clothing. Unfortunately as they said, the food and clothing were (14) __________ and inadequate. Emerging to glaring, fool noon, it was time to go back to Press Center to (15) __________ stories and race against time. I was always (16) __________ that the internet would come crushing down.

After everything was (17) ___________, only then I remembered to eat. Most times, I only ate once a day because I always had to rush and again it was difficult to find (18) __________. I had to (19) ___________ quite far. I needed to (20) ___________ a 30 to 45 minutes by car just to find fresh food.

Generic Structure of Recount Text

2011-10-12T19:57:00.008+07:00

The generic structure of Recount text consist of 3 main parts which its examples are show as follows:

1) Orientation

Last year, I joined the one of SMAN 3 Malang annual events called Bedol Desa 2010. The event's purpose was to introduce the Bhawikarsu students of how we live in simplicity and how we respect the society.

2) Series of Events

The first day, we went to the location by bus.
We came to the village and unpacked our belonging.
We had a pray events in the evening.
On the second day, we had some exhibition games with the people there, including the football and volley game.
The last day, we experience what so-called the ''If I were'' or in Indonesia it's commonly named as "Jika Aku Menjadi".

3) Re-orientation

We were sad of leaving the village and we could not wait to join the next Bedol Desa as Bhawikarsu's annual event.

What is a Recount Text?

2011-10-10T15:29:00.010+07:00

A recount tells about something that happened in the past. The details in a recount can include what happened, who was involved, where it took place, when it happened and why it occurred.

A writer or speaker uses a recount to tell us about a story or an event. Recounts are usually given in the order that the event occurred. Recounts can be:

factual, such as a news story
procedural, such as telling someone how you built something
personal, such as a family holiday or your opinion on a subject.

Examples of a recount

Recounts can be either written or spoken. Examples of recounts include:

biographies and autobiographies
newspapers or the television news
letters and postcards
textbooks
conversations with friends

Structure

A well-structured recount includes details of the event or topic and personal opinions.

Written recounts often start with a heading or title. Letters and journal entries do not usually have a title. Oral recounts might have a title if you are giving a presentation. If you are just talking with friends a title is not usually needed.

The introductory paragraph, or orientation, of a written recount introduces the topic or event. This paragraph introduces who, what, where, when, why and possibly how.

The following body paragraphs will recount the sequence of events. This is where the recount is told in chronological order (the order that the events happened).

The conclusion, or re-orientation, is where the writer or speaker can give personal opinions about the topic or event. The writer or speaker may also comment on how this event or topic may affect other things in the future.

Preparing a recount

The factual information in a recount must be accurate. Recounts can also include the speaker's or writer's personal thoughts on the event or topic. Recounts are written in the past tense because they tell about something that has already happened.

When writing your own recount, it is important to write everything down in the order that it happened. Use words that show when something happened as well as action words to tell how it happened. You may also include other people's opinions or quotes on the topic or event.

Always check your text for correct spelling, grammar and punctuation.

(Adapted from http://www.skwirk.com)

Example of Recount Text (Simpler Form)

2011-10-10T15:18:00.005+07:00

What a Bad Day!

I had a terrible day yesterday. First, I woke up an hour late because my alarm clock didn't go off. Then, I was in such a hurry that I burned my hand when I was making breakfast. After breakfast, I got dressed so quickly that I forgot to wear socks. Next, I ran out of the house trying to get the 9:30 bus, but of course I missed it. I wanted to take a taxi, but I didn't have enough money. Finally, I walked the three miles to my school only to discover that it was Sunday! I hope I never have a day as the one I had yesterday.

Helping a Blind Man (Example of Recount Text)

2011-10-10T14:53:00.006+07:00

I had the most unforgettable experience in my life when I was 18, as senior high student. It is an experience about helping a blind man to cross the street.

I still remember that day vividly. That night I had studied at school library; it was around 10 o’clock, and I prepared to go back home. As I passed through the school gate, I said goodbye to my friends. Suddenly I saw a strange thing in front of me.

There was a male standing beside the cross-walk; the traffic light was green, he could walk forward, but he didn’t. He was just standing there and made no actions. I was confused at this sight. Out of curiosity, I decided to walk over to him and to see what was happening. I felt perplexed until I walked next to him. Standing beside him, I could see he was wearing sunglasses and holding a white stick; then I knew this man was blind.

In this cold winter day, pedestrians all wore heavy coats, including him and me. His was gray and mine was black. I also noticed that there was a sign around his neck. The sign said “I am virtually deaf and blind; please help me cross the street. Tap me on the shoulder.” I knew I must help him. So I tapped him on the shoulder, and then he put his left hand on my right shoulder and I led him across the street. All the process was quiet; the only thing I could hear was the sounds of our steps. It was a chilly night too, but I knew he would feel warm at this moment. When we got across the street, he bowed in thanks, and started walking up the block, to the next corner, then the next. While he walked past me, I couldn’t help but start to weep. I wanted to walk him home. It was not a very busy street, almost deserted. He could have been there, on that corner, for 10 minutes. Maybe he is still at another corner, now, waiting. How does he get home? How does he know where his home is? Thinking of this, I cried more loudly.

I can’t image being deaf and blind. You would be so helpless and dependent on other people. Can you imagine going home like that every day: walking a block, then waiting for someone to help you get across the street, then walking another block, and waiting, relying on the kindness of strangers? After this incident, I realized how blessed I am. I should cherish every day and do my best to help the people who need help in my life.

Keys of Learning English

2011-04-07T11:48:00.000+07:00

Most of people now are trying to master English. Because, it is a fact that English is needed in every aspect of our life. A very common example is when we want to apply for a job; one of the requirements is the TOEFL test that has to reach the minimum grade of its point for approximately 500 points. As a result, English is a must-learned, especially for students. However, not all of students master English easily. Even, they do want to learn English, but they have no desire in learning English. Then, how come they could master English? Therefore, people need useful keys in mastering English. For that reason, I would like to explain the keys of learning English that will have impact in helping students mastering English. According to Molilie Immel-Brown, there are five keys that will lead us learning English easily. Those are divided into motivation, attitude, pacing, exposure, and practice. Motivation is the first key of learning English that has a contribution in making students’ learning English successfully. Motivation is a support from our self that allows us to do something what we want enthusiastically. When we have a motivation in our mind, we will have a spirit in doing something, including learning English. The motivation is the main point in starting anything. When we are doing our business for instance, the motivation has an important role to get the best result at the end. Therefore, if the students have had motivation in learning English, it is not a big deal for them to master English. Similar to motivation, attitude has an important role in leading the students to master English. The attitude means that students should interpret an English learning in a positive way. Usually students mean the English as a frightening subject that is not important to learn. In fact, English is a global language that is recommended to learn by all of the students who want to be a success person. When students have a positive thinking in learning English, they must gain their interest in learning English. As a result, the students’ skill of English will increase a lot. Another key of learning English that have a contribution in improving students’ skill of English is pacing. Pacing means a certain way or track that students choose to help them in learning English. The pacing can be the curriculum or time that usually students use in learning English. Therefore, if students want to master English successfully, they have to be consistent in using their pace in order to get the best result in their learning English. Besides, students will understand more when they use a steady pace. In contrast, the changing pace will lead them in wrong way of learning English; at least it is not the best way to be used for students. The following contribution in learning English successfully is exposure. Exposure here means the experience of the students in learning English. The more the students get the experience, the more they will easily master English. The exposure can be achieved by doing the activities that related to developing English skill. For example, when students join writing an essay competition, they will get not only knowledge and prize, but also get experience. Besides, by having much experience, the students will be used to learning English, because the more they will do activities about English, the more they will like English. As a result, when they already like English, it is sure that they will success in Learning English. Finally, practice has the biggest contribution on learning English. Learning English is about a practice. Therefore, if we want to success in mastering English, we have to do a lot of practices. Why do we have to practice ourselves in order to master English? By practicing, for example in speaking activity, we will know that we can speak English fluently or not. Besides, by writing such kind of essay, we will increase our skill in writing. Therefore, practice is truly important for students if they do want to master English. The five keys, stated by Molilie Immel-Brown, have important contribution in learning English as a second language. Those keys of learning English are must-used things for students in order to master English. While it is really necessary for students in supporting their learning English, the fact is in contrast. Most of students actually do not know those keys. Therefore, they cannot achieve the result of their learning English at best. That is why those keys are important to be shown up to the students. And finally, students can apply those keys to make them successful in mastering English as a second language.

Four Teaching Methods

2011-04-07T11:42:00.001+07:00

In teaching English, most of the teachers are using different methods one another. However, although they use different methods, the goal is same. Teachers want their students to catch and comprehend the lesson. Therefore, the most appropriate method that is used will work and get the main goal, which will be reached by students. By the development of the technology, the methods of teaching and learning have been developed, too. Nowadays, there are many methods that are being used by the teachers in class. They are like Building Knowledge of the Text, Modeling, Joint Construction of Text, and Individual Construction of the Text, and others. However, actually those methods are not popular for students. Therefore, it is necessary for students to know the methods of their learning English. For that reason, I would like to tell about the process of teaching and learning methods in improving students’ speaking skill by using methods like Building Knowledge of the Text, Modeling, Joint Construction of Text, and Individual Construction of the Text. Building Knowledge of the Text is one of the methods that is usually used by teachers in improving students’ speaking skill. Building knowledge of the text is a class activity that allows students to apply the material that has been taught by the teachers by operating the material in the natural way to speak English as a communication way. In this method, at first, teachers handle the class. Teachers can introduce the materials of speaking that will be taught to the students. The students then are given some questions related to the material. The questions can be related to the daily life. Next, the students will answer the question actively and enthusiastically. To achieve it, the teachers should have a good interaction with the students. The students are also allowed to have a discussion with other students to get the accurate answer. The last activity is to give an opportunity to the students to ask about what part of the material that the students do not know. The teachers then will answer it with a clear explanation. The material’s goal is to improve the students’ speaking skill, and get the students own knowledge in speaking as a communication way. Modeling is another method of teaching that can be used by teachers of English in improving the students’ speaking skill in class. Modeling empowers students to observe, discover, classify, articulate and in the process construct the students own knowledge about oral language, and apply it to their own speaking (http://en.wikipedia.org). This method is about teaching by example. First, the teachers demonstrate the activity that will be done by the students. The activity can be a story telling, conversation, or any speaking activities. If the students understand the activity that they will do, then the teachers ask one of the students to do the activity in front of the class. The students may discuss the topic first with other students. When the students are ready, the teacher may offer the students to be a volunteer to speak in front of the class about the topic that has been given and discussed before. Then, all of the students have to do the same activity. After all of the students have done the activity, then the teachers have to explain what mistakes that the students have made and correct them. Therefore, the students can learn what part of their speaking that has been wrong. Finally, the teachers give some advices to the students how to do that kind of activity well. Similar to Modeling, Joint Construction of the text is also a method that can be used for teachers to teach in the speaking class. It is the method where the teachers and the students work together in small groups or as a whole class in discussing a topic that will be talked about. It is an effective method in teaching students about the process, the forms, the conventions, the skills and behaviors of speaking (http://wwwfp.education.tas.gov.au). First, teachers give an example of doing a speaking activity like speech, re-telling, or others. Besides, teachers should explain the point of the material clearly, including the way how doing the speaking activity well. Next, teachers share the material together with the students and put the ideas together till the students get the clear meaning about the activity. Then, the students can do the activity with the guide from teachers by using different ideas for each student. Independent Construction of Text is the last method that is usually used by teachers in teaching students’ speaking skill. This method is made for showing the students’ competence in speaking English. Therefore, in this method, the teachers ask the students to perform their presentation of speaking in front of the class. The presentation can be a dialog, describing things, or others. The teachers can select one of those speaking activities that will be done by the students. Then, students can perform their speaking presentation in front of the class, while the teachers can assess the students’ competence by using certain grade. Finally, after all of the students have done their turn, they can ask the teachers about the difficulties that they have in their previous presentation. Building Knowledge of the Text, Modeling, Joint Construction of Text, and Individual Construction of the Text are the four methods that are commonly used by the teachers in teaching speaking class. The process of those methods can help students to improve the students’ speaking skill. Those are good methods for students to make them speak English more fluently. Then finally, they will understand the goal of speaking English, that is as a communication way.

Private and Public Schools

2011-04-07T11:20:00.005+07:00

It is undoubtedly that English is the most important language to learn in the world. Even, English is one of the most requirements if we want to apply for a job. That is why now English is a main subject in schools, not only in Private schools but also in Public schools. In both schools, English is a priority. Therefore, they are trying hard to improve their students’ skill of English. Also, if we talk about both kinds of schools, we will find some similarities in Teaching English between them. Firstly, their similarity is in the purpose of teaching English. The teachers of English in both schools are preparing their students to do the exam that they will face successfully. Therefore, the students can get the standard point for their graduation. Besides, the teachers’ purpose in teaching English is to introduce students in English. If the students know what English is and also its importance, they will love English. Secondly, Private and Public schools use the same material of English. Sometimes, teachers guide their students to the laboratory of listening to join the listening section. For improving the students’ writing skill, the teachers often give assignments about writing something that the student like, or just doing some exercises on their books. One of the materials that is usually hated by students is grammar lesson. However, the teachers still teach it to them. Therefore, they have to join it, no matter what. Thirdly, the curriculum in both schools is regularly the same the private and public schools use KTSP. As we know, before KTSP, all schools in Indonesia used KBK. However, now, the schools are using KTSP, which has been suggested by the government as a better curriculum for Indonesian’s education. Although they have some similarities, teaching English in private and public schools are able to be differentiated by some aspects. Firstly, the facilities that are used to assist the teaching of English in class are different in those two kinds of schools. Some private schools have more facilities rather than public schools. Why? Because the facilities in private schools are stocked by private departments, or even come from foreign countries. It is different from the public schools, where their facilities still depend on the government. Then, private schools use many sources or books in teaching English. On the other hand, public schools have less sources or books. As we know that private schools have a corporation with foreign countries in improving the quality of education. Therefore, some books that are used in private schools come from foreign departments. How about public schools? Still, they use books that are provided by our government. Finally, some native teachers are now teaching in several private schools. In contrast, public schools do not have any native speakers that are teaching there. Actually, the native speakers have important roles in improving their students’ skill of English, especially in pronunciation. Even, the natives are not only teaching the material, but also sharing about their countries’ culture, the history of English, and other useful information. I wonder why most of public schools do not hire the native speakers. In fact, the natives bring the positive impacts in developing the teaching of English in schools. To conclude with, teaching English in private and public schools do not only have some similarities, but also have some differences. Actually, they are like two brothers, different but alike.

The Instruments of Teaching English

2008-12-22T11:09:00.000+07:00

Teaching English has a lot of ways to do. That is way the teachers of English have to open their mind in order to be creative in finding the best way to teach their students. Besides, the instruments of teaching English have an important role to support the students in learning English. Actually, there are many instruments to support teachers to teach English, especially for English young learners. The instruments can be divided into Electronic media and Mass media. The Electronic media is one of the important instruments that help the teachers to teach their students. Teachers may use TV to show an English movie, or even methods how to study English well. To improve the students’ listening skill, the radio is a good choice. Students are allowed to listen to an education radio like Kangguru Radio English, or just listen to the music on it. Besides, the internet is necessary to improve the students’ background knowledge which is important in comprehending a text. Another kind of electronic media is a computer. The computer can be used for students to play English games, typing their assignments, and others. If it is necessary for teachers to show a digital material to their students in a whole class, they can use LCD. Another media, which is also important for students’ learning English, is Mass media. English newspaper is one of the mass media. There is much information on the newspapers that help students to improve their knowledge about English. Even, the students’ reading skill will increase a lot. When students need an easy-reading book, mass media has some options. English novel is useful for students to do an enjoyment reading to increase their vocabulary, too. Usually, students are bored if they just read a text without any picture. Therefore, students may read comics. English magazine is one kind of mass media that allows students to find information for their assignments, or just to read as an enjoyment. The importance of the instruments in teaching English is undoubtedly. The instruments of English can make the students easier to learn English. Even, students will be more interested in learning English because they are allowed to choose which one of the instruments they like, without any interruption from their teachers.

Learning Language through Technology

2008-12-22T10:29:00.000+07:00

Nowadays, technology has developed in many aspects of our life. It brings a lot of advantages for us if we can use it conveniently. We use the technology in politic, business, or even in education. That is why the technology is important in many aspects, including in learning language. Language learners should use technology if they want to master a language quickly. They have to take advantage from technology. The technology is a part of modern way of learning languages. Therefore, several kinds of technology will help them learning language faster. Firstly, the technology of Internet is one of the best instruments to help language learner mastering the language. We can find anything we need through the internet. For instance, if we have difficulties in finding sources we need, we can browse to the internet. Internet will help us finding appropriate sources we need. Another example, my brother, who is in Junior High school, now is able to access English books through the internet. Even, it costs cheaper than books from the store. While we are using internet, we are also able to find many methods of learning language like learning Grammar online, video chatting for having conversation with foreigners, or even reading foreign newspapers or magazines online. Next, similar to the technology of Internet, a cellular phone is also a technology that helps language learners mastering language. Nowadays, we can do some online activities by using cellular phone. For example, if our cellular phone has feature like GPRS, we will be connected to the internet. Even, if a cellular phone is featured by JAVA application, we can do more. For instance, my cellular phone, Nokia 5200, is available for JAVA application. I can use the applications for chatting, sending an e-mail, or even listening foreign radios. Another example of application is that we may have a dictionary in our cellular phone. Again, JAVA allows us to use their application of dictionary. Finally, the computer software is technology that allows language learners learning language with different methods. Nowadays, there are many kinds of computer software which are being used in education field. For instance, LONGMAN Dictionary is dictionary software that allows the users to find the meaning of a certain words. Even, it can pronounce the words that we type or write on. Software like a kind of games is enjoyable software which also helps us to learn language. For instance, Bookworm Adventures Deluxe is a puzzle game that allows us to find much different kind of words by using the puzzled letters that have been provided for us on the box. Its function is actually to gain our vocabulary faster. To conclude with, technology is truly an aspect that has important role in learning language. Several kinds of technologies above are the example how important the technology is. The technology will help us learning language faster. Even, there will be no variation in learning English if we do not take advantage in technology as the instrument of our learning English.

Teaching English for Young Learners

2008-12-22T10:24:00.000+07:00

There are many statements about meaning of Young Learners, three of which will be stated here. According to Purwaningsih,“Young Learners are learners in Elementary School aging 9-10 years old who are learning English as foreign language” (8). Based on that statement, we can know that Young Learners are students of primary school. Another statement which is taken from www.goliath.ecnext.com also says, “Young Learners are convinced as students of English between age of 7 and 15” (http://goliat.ecnext.com /coms2/gi/0199-5785232, review of the Internet and html on September 19th 2008). The last statement about the meaning of Young Learners, according to Etty Maryati Hoesein, “Young Learners are the students of Elementary School who are at grade four up to grade six. Their ages range from ten to twelve years of age. They have learned English for about one up to four years” (14). From those three statements , we may conclude that Young Learners are students who are studying in Elementary or Senior High School aging 7-15 and they are studying English as second language for about one up to four years. In other words, we may say that Young Learners are English foreign language learners, aging 9- 17. According to some experts, we can determine several definitions about teaching, but we will just explain three of them. In his thesis, Teaching of English at SMU Nurul Jadid Probolinggo, Kasbolah writes, “Teaching is guiding and facilitating, enabling the learners to learn and setting the condition for learning” (13). Another definition, according to Callahan and Gark, ”Teaching is a matter of helping students to know, to understand, and to comprehend ideas, attitudes values, skills, and information which will be used in changing and in redefining their thought forward their daily surrounding situation” (9). The third definition, according to Antony, “Teaching techniques are particular tricks, strategies, or continuances used to accomplish the immediate objectives” (19). We can conclude that teaching is guiding, helping, facilitating the students to know, to understand, to comprehend ideas, attitudes values, skills, and information using tricks and strategies. Furthermore, teaching is supporting and helping students’ activity of learning by using the methods of teaching to know the ideas or information, which are important. Based on the definition of Young Learners and Teaching above, we are able to find the meaning of teaching English for Young Learners. Teaching English for Young Learners is guiding and facilitating Young Learners in aging 9-15 years old, for their activities in learning, knowing, understanding, and comprehending ideas, attitudes values , skills, and information of English using tricks and strategies which will be used in changing and redefining their thought forward their daily surrounding situation as a foreign languages learners.

The Track of My Learning English

2008-09-04T16:33:00.005+07:00

It had been a long time since the first time I learn English. It was a great experience. Although I just sang a simple song with my classmates, such as 'Climbing The Mountain', a song which was translated from Indonesians song. Another activities was counting the number from 1 to 10, introducing ourselves in front of the class that used very simple language, and some other activities. It happened when I was in Elementary school, in the 6th grade. Even, at that time we did not know anything about Tenses, Nouns, Subjects, or even Verbs. However, we still enjoyed learning English. Then, when I continued my study in the Junior High school, I felt that I was interested in English more than before. I thought that English was not difficult as most of people thought about it. If we were interested in something that we do, we will love to do it. And it happened for my self. English is interesting to learn, and English is fun, too.Moreover, the teacher who taught us in class was so nice teacher. Her way of teaching English was loved by most of the students. That was why I, and most of my classmates, got a good mark in English. In the senior high school, my comprehending in English was increasing a lot. From the experience that I had got in the Junior high school, and also from the courses that I had taken, I realized that English is very important. It is one of the International language that is most people in around the world use it, besides the another International language like Latin, Mandarin, an also French. However, from those International languages, English was the one that I loved most. Besides, English was also the only subject that I mastered most. It was proved by the mark that I got. English got the best result among other subjects like Math, Economic, or History. After graduated from my senior high school, I decided to continue my study in a college. In order to pass the SPMB exam, first I had to take a course that included the subjects that were in the test. Besides, I had to improve my skill in English, too. When the exam was close, I decided to take English department.Both of them were in UM and UNEJ. Then finally, I passed the exam, and I was accepted in this wonderful university. English was helping me to pass the exam, because the most correct answer came from the English subject. When I started studying in this university, I thought that I had mastered English more then the other students. In fact, I was behind them. My English skill was nothing. However, it did not make me to surrender. Even, it challenged me to learning English more than previously. Besides, I could learn English intensively with all of my friends. They could help me to improve my English quickly. Now, it was eight years I have been learning English. As a journey to somewhere, we never got it easily. Sometimes, I have some troubles in learning English. One of them is about speaking. I have no bravery in speaking. However, I try to beat my fear in speaking everyday. I speak with my friend using English, or sometimes I try to imitate the pronunciation on the movie. And it works. Now my speaking is getting better. And I hope I will get no trouble in learning English, whether it is about speaking, listening, or the others.