When a Language Teacher Stammers in Writing

So, if there are still questions about how to learn writing? Just write. Do it. The experience of failing to develop ideas, getting stuck in the middle of writing, is normal. The key is to keep writing.

Bondowoso (ANTARA) - An Indonesian language teacher appeared unenthusiastic when invited by other teachers to participate in a collaborative book writing project or anthology facilitated by the school for publication.

The language teacher reasoned that he did not like reading and could not write.

In another instance, a teacher, also an instructor of Indonesian language, appeared more expressive in stating his own shortcomings as an Indonesian language teacher, declaring himself unable to write.

“I stammer when asked to write. Several times I tried writing articles, but only finished with the title, and then there was no continuation,” said the teacher at that upper secondary school.

Although not all Indonesian language teachers are like the two mentioned above, this condition serves as a reminder of how complex the education problems in our country are. Basic skills that should be mastered by a subject teacher in school are still far from expectations.

With teachers who are not skilled in handling something that is their field of work, how can they educate their students to be skilled in mastering something?

Essentially, a language teacher is the same as a technical teacher in vocational secondary schools or SMKs, for example, an automotive teacher who should already master skills in the machinery field.

A language teacher is also the same as a physical education teacher, who, when teaching students to swim, must already be proficient in freestyle or breaststroke in the water, relying on hand and foot movements. Similarly, a physical education teacher educating students to play basketball must be able to do so, even if not as skilled as a professional basketball player.

The government, through Ministry of Education and Culture Regulation or Permendikbud No. 070 of 2016 on “Standards for Indonesian Language Proficiency”, sets standards for language mastery, which include receptive skills (reading/listening) and productive skills (writing/speaking).