Even this writing isn’t based on a very scientific research done by an expert, it’s not merely an unacceptable-foolish opinion. However, I guess no one’s going to doubt if this is the truth.
Since everyone can predict the answers which come up for the questions “Is the result of English Teaching in Highschools in Indonesia like what we people all expect?”, teachers have to consider any idea to improve it.
In the aspect of quality, the material given to students in the third year of SMA is the equal of material given to students of intermediate levels in English courses. However, many students with good score can’t speak English as well as their score. Maybe it’s because of their final exam is only a kind of written test or even a multiple choice test, it affects teachers’ method in delivering the lesson.
It emphasizes on the written tasks only and doesn’t encourage them much to speak it. The students rarely get the chance to consider and realize that people mostly use language as a mean of ‘oral’ communication rather than writing and reading.
Here I point out some ideas which maybe useful for teachers;
- Decrease the teacher’s talking time.
Anyway, it doesn’t mean that students have longer time to quiet behind their tables.
- Modify the Student Books
Teachers often find out that the task provided by Student Books doesn’t support students to practice their English. By modifying the task, teacher can make it suitable for group-work or pair-work.
- Modify the teaching method
Stop saying “Now, open page thirty nine and do task four, five, six, and eight,… Leave task seven…”. An interesting “Lead-in” is needed to engage their interest before getting in every learning and teaching stage.
- Be fun
Teachers are not jailers. Care about the students whenever they’re in a bad mood. Discuss something new or their favourite Rock-star at the “Lead-in” or between stages will help the situations.
- Don’t be a “Do-as-I-say-Not-do-as-I-do” teacher
I guess everybody knows it clearly.
