THE IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING ENGLISH IN ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
Made to Fulfill Duty English
Lecture : Mrs. Nuraeni Abbas
Compiled by :
Name :
AHSINUNNIKMAH
NIM :
1401413108
Class :
010
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER EDUCATION
FACULTY OF EDUCATION
SEMARANG SATATE UNIVERSITY
2013
The Importance of Learning English in Elementary
School
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
- Backgrounds
Nowadays, we know that learning English language is a
must. To be important for us to learn
and fluent in it in the era of Globalization. English language used on nearly
all the International meetings, so the peoples who come from diverse
backgrounds and cultures, religious, geography has a media agreed to
communicate with each other using English language. So if we want to insightful
and knowledgeable, English language is something that is very important to
study. English language give space to us to our mobilization to be part of
world’ s peoples global community. Even in some part, English language is
absolutely indispensable. Like in the communication, technology, etc.
Therefore it is necessary to introduce English
language early on. So, the children who in the future will be the successor to
nation is ready to face the challenges of global competition. And an absolute
need is English language.
In Indonesia it self, English language has taught in
almost of the college, senior high school or vocational high school, junior
high school, elementary school. Even been in the Kindergarten. Giving childhood
English language lessons is not wrong, but later known that many children who
learning English language only because off the demands from their parents or
school curriculum. They just want reward from their parents, or they just want
to get good score in the school on English language. As a result of their
psychological condition is still plain. Children are not really understand what
the purpose and benefits from learning English language.
On the other hand, there are also children who already
understand the meaning, purpose, and benefits of learning English Language but
they don’t have the infrastructure that support them to learn English language.
The infrastructure that I means here is not only merely unbounded on no English
language education text books, but also the lack of teacher who really fluent
in English language, and really from English Language graduation. Or actually
the teacher have already fluent in English, but they can’t deliver material
well to the student. So that’s will make student think that English is boring.
It obviously make the consciousness to learning
English decreased. From that reason, the author weaves this paper with hopes
that later the entire Indonesia’s peoples know and realize the importance of
learning language, English language, from en early ege, particularly in Elementary
school.
- Problems Formulation
1.
How does
development of English language education in Indonesia at this time ?
2.
What is the
importance of English Language in Elementary School ?
3.
How is the
condition of infrastructure and facilities for English Language education in
Elementary School in Indonesia at this time ?
4.
How does teach
English Language in Elementary School effectively ?
- Goals
1.
Knowing
development of English language in Indonesia at this time.
2.
Knowing the
importance of learning English language in Elementary school.
3.
Knowing the
condition and infrastructure of English language education in Elementary School
in Indonesia right now.
4.
Find out how to
teach English Language effectively in Elementary School.
CHAPTER II
DISCUSSION
I.
English Language
Development in Indonesia at This Day
As a country which has been grown to be well country,
Indonesia’s people consciousness to learning English are increased every day.
In Indonesia it self, development of using English language actually are not
good like another country in Asia. But we can see and feel that consciousness
to learning English is still increased. Because Indonesia’s people now know
that English language is very important. Used in every part of our life, in the
future because of globalization effect. Now they are not think anymore that
English is foreign language, so learning English language now is general and
they think that they should fluent on it.
In Indonesia at this time a lot of education
institution giving English language education. And almost all of school in
Indonesia teach English language to their student. This is so good. Because
from this, we know that English language development in Indonesia is so
amazing. Because about five years ago, Indonesia’s people still tough that
learning English language is not important.
English language education right now also make as local
content that suggested by the Government and every school must give that
education. Like we can see in (Surat Keputusan Menteri
Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan No. 060/U/1993 tanggal 25 Februari 1993 ) about English language as local content subject in
Elementary School. And the Government recommended that English language teach
from the student sit in 4th grader. But now English language is
start and introduce to the students when they are still childhood, even when
their age is under 5th years old.
Although Indonesia’s people learning and want to
fluent in English, the reset says that they still learning Indonesia language
too. They still proud with their language, national language and their regional
language. It is shows that Indonesia’s people want to balancing between
international affairs and national affairs. It is good choices. Because when we
learning about something new, something that come from foreign, we can’t leave
our identity. We must always remember where are we come from.
II.
The Importance
of Learning English Language in Elementary School
In general, there are three reason why we have to
learning English Language, there are :
1.
The
geographically factors
Indonesia is surrounded by countries that most of them
using English Language as a first or second language. These countries are
Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Australia, and others. So, if one day an
Indonesian citizen traveling to one of that country, fluent in knowledge of
English language will make it easier to communicate with local citizens. Or if
the citizen of that country come to Indonesia, we can communicate with them.
Then Indonesia can be know as a country which has friendly peoples. That is can
make foreign tourist like to come to Indonesia, so Indonesia’s income will be
increased.
2.
English language
use as language of International communication
In order to communicate with peoples from different
country and cultural backgrounds, English language became the main choices is
often used in communication. An easy example is seen in the world of tourism.
The tourist who travel in foreign countries usually use English language to be
able to communicate with the native citizens he had visited. Tourist use English
language usually for asking about something, like street, place, etc. English
also become the official language of instruction in the world of transportation
either in the air or at sea.
3.
English language
as a language of publication
We can take an example for the internet. Most sites
provide an information using English language. Not only in the internet, a few
books also using English language. With fluent in English will be helpful in
exploring and accessing sources of the knowledge, neither write or electronic
media. So, when there is an information about job vacancy, or some important
International event, that will be publish using English language. Without know
about English language, we can be does not know about anything.
For Elementary School, learning English language has
very important meaning. English language definite means to prepare, and to face
the global challenges as they mature. Because :
1. English is
the most commonly spoken language in the world. One out of five people can
speak or at least understand English!
2. English is
the language of science, of aviation, computers, diplomacy, and tourism.
Knowing English increases your chances of getting a good job in a multinational
company within your home country or of finding work abroad.
3. English is
the official language of 53 countries. That is a lot of people to meet and
speak to.
4. English is
spoken as a first language by around 400 million people around the world.
5. English is
the language of the media industry. If you speak English, you won’t need to
rely on translations and subtitles anymore to enjoy your favourite books,
songs, films and TV shows.
6. English is
also the language of the Internet. Many websites are written in English – you
will be able to understand them and to take part in forums and discussions.
7. English is
based on a simple alphabet and it is fairly quick and easy to learn compared to
other languages.
8. English is
not only useful — it gives you a lot of satisfaction. Making progress feels
great. You will enjoy learning English, if you remember that every hour you
spend gets you closer to perfection.
9. Since
English is spoken in so many different countries there are thousands of schools
around the world that offer programmes in English. If you speak English,
there’re lots of opportunities for you to find an appropriate school and course
to suit your academic needs.
10. Because it’s
fun! By learning English, you will also learn about other cultures. Few
experiences will make you grow as a person more than learning the values,
habits and way of life in a culture that is different from yours.
There are
another reason why English Language should be teach in elementary school.
1. Sheer enjoyment
2. There is no better
time
3.
Be able to speak like
a native
4.
Widen their world
5. Enjoy Traveling and
Living Abroad
6.
Improve Their Overall Communication Skills
7.
Improve Their Executive Function Skills
8.
Stand Out When Applying For Schools
9.
Enhance Their Professional Prospects
10. Reduce the Risk of
Mental Decline
If you think that the benefit of learning English in Elementary School
all are have mention on the top, you are wrong. There are many benefit that
children get from learning English. So many, until I can’t mentioned it one by
one. Maybe I can add another importance things learning English in Elementary
School.
1.
Learning a
foreign language increases cognitive development. "Cognitive" refers to the
mental ability necessary to carry out any given task. If it's not used,
cognitive ability can decrease, but when it is used, cognitive ability
increases. Learning a foreign language increases a student's skills in
creativity, memory, reading development, attention control and problem solving.
2.
Learning a
foreign language increases capabilities in other academic areas. This is true even in an individual's
primary language. So as students learn another language, their reading ability
in their primary language will increase as well. In addition, these students
often get better at grammar, social studies, math and science.
3.
Learning a
foreign language helps with college entrance requirements. If your student is aiming for college
admission, foreign language study is a common requirement.
4.
Learning a
foreign language is linked to better performance at a college level. Those who are bilingual often perform
better in college. They also generally perform better on SAT and ACT tests. The
longer someone has studied a foreign language, the higher his scores tend to
be, especially on the reading and vocabulary sections of the tests.
5.
Learning a
foreign language increases cultural awareness. Along with learning a new language,
students gain exposure to another culture. This heightens awareness of different
cultures in general, giving the student a broader perspective about the world
and improving the student's interaction with people from other backgrounds.
Students also learn more about the countries where the language is spoken and
the people who live there.
6.
Learning a
foreign language opens employment opportunities. In an increasingly global society,
learning a foreign language can open employment opportunities in the United
States and abroad.
Like
we all know, that learning English in Elementary School give the students many
benefit and that is so important for their future. Not only important for
student’s future, but also important for Indonesia. If Indonesia’s people
fluent in English ( introduced English language from they were still childhood
) they can have well communicate with people from another country. And it shows
that education in Indonesia has good quality. Then, Indonesia will respected by
another country, especially advance country, when there are International
meeting.
III.
The Conditions
of Infrastructure for Learning English Language in Elementary School in
Indonesia Today
In Indonesia, learning English language in Elementary
School can be said still of concern. The status of English Language education
is only be a subject. That’s mean, English Language are not include in national
subject or the important subject.
English Language in Elementary School does not have a
good curriculum and syllabus yet. And it’ s taught by incompetence teacher.
Teacher who does not has a certificate of English Language graduation can teach
English Language for Elementary School. English Language education so far, does
not achieve optimal output because it is taught without good planning.
There is no support from the Government about English
Language Education in Elementary School. The Government still does not provide
a standard curriculum and syllabus. There are many teachers who are confused
about how to teach English Language in Elementary School. This fact does not
match with ideally condition. Ideally, English Language should be taught by
qualified teacher. So, the Government of Indonesia must give a clear and
precise standard of curriculum and syllabus of English Language Education in
Elementary School. And the government should recruit English teacher who has a
good quality and has qualified yet.
- How To Teach English Language Effectifly For Elementary School
Some
effective teaching English methods are suggest to use for teaching English for
Elementary School. Some of them are :
1. Totally
Physical Respone
Richards J say in his
book Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching, TPR ( Totally Physical
Respone ) method is a method eaching English language which make in command,
speech, action, dan try to teaching English language from physic activity (
motor ). Asher say that ”The instructor is the
director of a stageplay in which the students are the actors”, it is means that
the teacher is a director in the story and performances in which students as
actors or cats. Educators who decide on what will be learned, who plays, and
showing the subject matter.
2. Collaborative
Methods
Teaching English with
this method is the one of the way teaching English Language which combines
variuous approaches and methods with ballance collaboration and mood for study
spontaneity. So, there are times when particular method does not come to te
sueface but in the another time that method is show and it will be dominant.
3. Interactive
Methods
Media in learning
English Language activities becomes very important because without the media,
how students can interpert or imagine an object in specificly. And tell it in
English Language perfectly. An object that student see is a fact which further
symbolically called by the agrees range of sounds that are assembled into
words. Then, every the studentsee that things, the student will remember with a
certain word in English.
Or the
teacher can use English teaching method taht Gagne says, the methods are :
1.
Signal Learning
Learning activity do with giving a
respone from signs or symbol manipulated in a situation of learning. Respone
that student’ s give can be rational, reflective, or emotional. So, teacher
should have abillity to manage the class, and the student still get the
Education learning although they are in emotional situation.
2.
Stimulus Respone Learning
This learning activities type is
related with student’s behaviour wich consicously doing proper respone from
stimulus or bait is manipulated in the learning system.
3. Chaining
Learning
This learning
activities is do by student with make a relation between two or more stimulus
with many different respone.
4. Verbal
Association Learning
Verbal Association
Learning is learning type that has relation to the efforts from the students in
linking response ( answer ) the oral stimulus delivered orally.
5. Multiple
Discrimination Learning
These learning
activities related to children's activities in response to differentiate the
stimulus applied to the different stimulus but still have connected.
What
can the parents and teacher can do ?
1. In
learning, the teacher is as helper, giving motivation, and guider for the
students. So, teacher is very important. In elementary school, teacher can
start to give material about English language from picture, music, and anything
else. And better if we using a props, so
student’ s memory will be increased.
2. And
same with the teacher, the parents are as guider too. They can accompany their
child when their child are study. Or, they can use English language in daily.
parents can insert some English to the children. This is ease to reproduce
their vocabulary.
3. Parent
should give the best facility for their chid to learning English. Like they can
buy an English book for their child.
4. Giving
reward for the kids when they can increase their English vocabulary. This is
can give them motivation to learning more hard.
If we want studying English in
Elementary School more effective, we must know about the right step to teach
English. That steps are :
1. Listening
This step can be done
by reading out stories to the kids, and they listen to it, or by using media
such as tape or VCD radio. But as much as possible select stories that use
simple words and easy to understand by student in elementary school.
2. Speaking
After the child is
often heard English language, children can be encouraged to speak in simple
sentences. Apply some times or some days to talk in English.
3. Reading
There are two common
methods to teach children reading English thay are the whole language approach
and the phonic. Whole language approach is a method of reading by making
language as one of unity not fragmentary. Read learning must also be in
accordance with the context. This method is more emphasis on the meaning of a
Word. This method overload is the child able to read faster but will have
difficulty when writing the word on the meaning of the words especially long
enough. Phonic is a method of learning to read through the sound of the letter
by the way spell it one by one. Because learning through spell then take more
time to be able to read. But the extended child easier when having to write
down words she heard.
4. Writing
This is the most
difficult stages in learning English because there are a lot of rules that must
be followed. Don't rush to teach grammar or writing if children have not
mastered the previous three phase.
CHAPTER III
CLOSING
I.
Conclusion
So
the English language development in Indonesia is currently very rapidly. The
level of public awareness of the importance of English language their chlid
steadily grew. Because the English language is provision for them in the
future, to face global challenges too. Almost the entire field using the
language. So step to teach English language early on is a good step, but still
need to pay attention to the methods, means, and the steps. However,
unfortunately the infrastructure English language teaching, especially for
elementary school, is still not adequate.
II.
Suggest
Considering
studying and mastering the English language is crucial, we need increase
something that can increase English learning activity. Especially in elementary
schools. Teaching quality is primarily that such less cared for. If Indonesia
wants to step forward and recognized by other countries, then start by
improving the quality of education, improve the quality of English mastery.
REFERENCES
Very relevant information been provided by you. I like the way you express your thoughts into words. Thank you for taking time to explain the importance of English here, I am sure it would help many seekers.
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