Secondary school English classes not effective<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The six years of English as a second language
\ntaught at Indonesian secondary schools has turned out to be
\nineffective, an education observer said Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Language and Communications Consultant Gloria C. Kismadi said
\nin a seminar that results of English classes is \"far from
\nsatisfactory\".<\/p>\n
\"After six years studying English, their ability to use it is
\nnot satisfactory,\" said Gloria, who works with the Language Study
\nCenter in South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The one-day seminar on teaching English in junior and senior
\nhigh schools was organized by the Sentra Language Training and
\nHuman Resources Development Consultancy.<\/p>\n
She blamed the school curricula, which overemphasizes accuracy
\n-- particularly grammar -- and the low ability of English
\nteachers.<\/p>\n
\"The students should be trained to communicate and express
\ntheir ideas in the language, not spend their time learning
\ngrammar,\" Gloria said.<\/p>\n
Rector of Open University B. Suprapto Brotosiswoyo said
\nteaching English at high schools is aimed at enabling students to
\nread English once they pursue higher education.<\/p>\n
He said that as most students' English is poor it would be
\nunrealistic to expect them to learn from books written in
\nEnglish.<\/p>\n
\"I know many university students are reluctant to read English
\nbooks available in the library,\" Suprapto said.<\/p>\n
The government has tried to improve English teaching at
\nschools by, among others, updating the materials and techniques
\nsuggested in the 1984 curricula.<\/p>\n
\"Changing the school curricula is not an effective way to
\nremedy the situation unless teachers are also provided with
\nbetter English teaching skills,\" Gloria said.<\/p>\n
If students are expected to communicate in English, teachers
\nshould master it too, she said. \"But, if teachers only intend to
\nhelp students pass examinations, then we cannot expect students
\nto be able to communicate in English,\" she added.<\/p>\n
Sharing Gloria's opinion was Hafilia R. Ismanto of the
\nJakarta-based LIA Foundation, a noted English language center.<\/p>\n
She said inappropriate teaching methods at formal schools are
\nthe chief reason why students are unable to communicate in
\nEnglish.<\/p>\n
\"The students' participation in the learning process is very
\nlow, they are reluctant to practice English,\" Hafilia said.<\/p>\n
She suggested that teachers allow students more time to
\npractice English and not punish them when they make mistakes.<\/p>\n
Further hampering the English learning process is overcrowded
\nclasses at formal schools, Hafilia said, adding that to be
\neffective a class should not have more than 20 pupils.<\/p>\n
Gloria said she believes the ineffective teaching of English
\nat schools has to do with the many private English language
\nschools in Indonesia's major cities that offer better facilities
\nand teaching methods.<\/p>\n
\"In many countries, including Indonesia, English language
\nschools have become an industry. There's money in it.
\nUnfortunately, only a few of the places offering such courses are
\nof good standard here,\" she said.<\/p>\n
According to Ministry of Education and Culture data, there are
\nabout 2,600 registered English language schools in the country.
\nSome 360 of them are in Jakarta. (31)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/secondary-school-english-classes-not-effective-1447893297",
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