Keys of Learning English

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

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

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

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

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

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.