Scholar laments poor English teaching methods in Indonesia<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia needs to revamp the way it teaches the
\nEnglish language because the present system produces a deplorable
\nquality of English teachers and university graduates, a scholar
\nsays.<\/p>\n
Director of Graduate Program at Atmajaya University Soenjono
\nDardjowidjojo particularly attacked the teaching method at the
\nstate teacher training institutes (IKIP) and pedagogic schools at
\nvarious universities, because it is in their hands that the
\nmastery of English lies.<\/p>\n
The existing curriculum at these institutions emphasize
\nirrelevant studies, such as redundant linguistic theories, which
\nhave no relevance to the language's application, Soenjono said at
\na seminar on teaching English in the industrialization era.<\/p>\n
The seminar was organized by Yayasan Lia, a foundation which
\nholds informal English courses. The foundation marks it 35th
\nanniversary on Sept.7.<\/p>\n
The present curriculum produces only graduates with very
\nlimited English skills, Soenjono said.<\/p>\n
\"Based on my experience, many graduates of English training
\ninstitutes and universities do not master the language, not even
\nat the elementary level,\" he said, \"If they write a thesis, they
\ncannot express themselves in a mature and sophisticated way.\"<\/p>\n
The same problem is found among students taking their masters
\nand doctoral degrees, he added.<\/p>\n
Soenjono said the English teaching method at high schools
\nshould also be reviewed in order to meet the demands and goals of
\nthe teaching itself. \"If we know the goals, we will be able to
\nchoose the most appropriate materials and teaching methods and
\nalso train teachers,\" he explained.<\/p>\n
The current high school curriculum is now so overloaded that
\nteachers cannot teach all the subjects in detail because they
\nhave to meet the fixed target, he said.<\/p>\n
The size of language classes is also a factor in determining
\nsuccessful teaching. \"Ideally, we should limit classes to 15
\nstudents, not 40 or 50 as we see at state schools now,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Soenjono also calls for improvements in the salaries and
\nincentives for English teachers to make them more dedicated in
\ntheir profession.<\/p>\n
\"The educational world is no different than the business world
\nnow. You have to pay more to get qualified teachers,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"We cannot ask for dedication, we have to develop it,\" he said
\nto the applause of the participants.<\/p>\n
Other speakers at the seminar included Hasnan Habib,
\nambassador at-large for Non-Aligned Movement country members, M.
\nDjamil Ibrahim, head of Development Center for Curriculum and
\nEducation Materials of the Ministry of Education and Culture, and
\nTim Kirk of the British Council.(als)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/scholar-laments-poor-english-teaching-methods-in-indonesia-1447893297",
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