Weina Agnestya: 2013

How to Intergrate Grammar with Communicative Language Teaching

Posted by Weina Agnestya Fauline Stefani Putri | Labels: Teaching

Grammar is important in communication. With the correct grammar, we can express our ideas clearly and meaningful. Therefore, schools do not only focus in communication teaching, but also grammar. According to Pekoz (2008), “grammar teaching, like teaching the four skills, should involve pre-, while-, and post stages in attempt to provide integrated learning environments”. Teaching method which involves those stages is Communicative Language Teaching (CLT).

The first stage is pre-grammar stage, which the teacher introduces the topic by giving the students some examples based on the real life, such as telling the students about phenomenon that usually happens in life, or experience in the past time. It is important to stimulate students’ curiosity. The teacher had better use teaching aids like pictures, videos, or things in the classroom. It will attract students’ attention and make them easier to catch the point. Subsequently, the teacher tells the students about the aim of studying the topic.

The second stage is while-grammar stage, which “the teacher tells them [the students] they are going to learn a new structure (for the purpose of noticing) but does not mention the name of structure (for motivational purposes)” (2008). Then, the teacher tells them about the topic by using the teaching aids (pictures, videos, etc). However, the teacher doesn’t tell the topic directly. The teacher should give examples or clues to stimulate students’ curiosity, because the students must construct the knowledge by themselves. When teaching, the teachers should ask the students about what he/she has taught repeatedly. It is helpful to ensure that all students have understood the lesson.

The last stage is post-grammar, which the teacher gives an exercise to the students about the material. In this stage, the teacher should divide the students into some groups and give a role play. It is useful to train students to apply the knowledge in the real life.

In conclusion, CLT gives opportunities to the students to construct their knowledge by themselves. Agree with O’Neill’s (2000) statement that “good communicative teaching is learner-centered, not teacher-centered”. The teacher only stimulates the students to construct the knowledge by giving example or clue. In addition, “the classroom and the behavior of teachers and learners in the classroom should be as similar as possible to the behavior of people in the ‘real world’ outside the classroom” (2000), because what the students learn will be applied in their real life.

References:

O'Neill, R. (2000, March 23). Communicative Language Teaching. Retrieved May 5, 2012, from Ted Power English Language Learning and Teaching: http://www.btinternet.com/~ted.power/esl0404.html

Pekoz, B. (2008). Integrating Grammar for Communicative Language Teaching. The Internet TESL Journal , 1-5.

Types of Learning Styles

Posted by Weina Agnestya Fauline Stefani Putri | Labels: Writing

Abstract

Learning style is the most appropriate way of studying for people. There are three types of learning style: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. Visual learners learn from something they see. Auditory learners learn from something they hear. While kinesthetic learners learn by touching and moving something. It is important for people to know their learning style. It will help them to reach a better achievement.

Keywords: learning style, visual, auditory, kinesthetic.

I. Introduction

Studying is really important for students. They can get a lot of knowledge through studying. However, studying is sometimes boring for them. It is influenced by some factors, such as physic, emotion, and situation (DePorter, 2001, p. 111). Therefore, the teachers or the parents should not force them to study, because each child has their own way to study, or learning style. Learning style is the key for people to make studying activities seem easier by using their own modalities: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. This article is going to explain the definition of learning styles; types of learning styles; and some benefits of knowing your learning styles.

II. Discussion

Many experts have definitions of learning styles. The author cites three definitionss from scientists. According to Stewart and Feliceti (1992) learning style is “educational conditions under which a student is most likely to learn”. In addition, Wikipedia (n.d.) defines learning style as “different ways that a person can learn. It’s commonly believed that most people favor some particular method . . .” Another idea by Fleming (n.d.) that states “some students remember best materials they've seen, some remember things they've heard, while others remember things they've experienced”. From the definitions, the author concludes that learning style is way of learning which is most favorable and most compatible with the learners’ condition. For example, visual-learning students like to study with visual aids, such as pictures, colors, etc. so they can recall more information. For this type of learner, visual aids improve the ability to recall information more completely.

There are three types of learning styles: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. Visual learners are people who learn something by seeing the object. They will easily understand the material if it is explained by using pictures and colors. For example, if they are showed diagram, they will quickly understand it. The other learning style is auditory learners. They understand best through hearing. For instance, when the teacher reads a text loudly, they will easily understand it. The last type is kinesthetic learners. They learn best with their sense of touch–involving physic. They are using and moving the body when study. For example, when they are asked to demonstrate something, they will do it well. They will understand the lesson more when in a teaching includes games or simulations (Meier, 2002).

Knowing your learning style is useful. First, you will be easier to construct information with the appropriate style. Second, you will be more confident because you know a lot of things after knowing your learning style. Third, you will enjoy your learning because you learn with your technique so it can decrease pressure (LangVid, 2010). Fourth, it is obvious that you will get higher score.

III. Conclusion

Learning styles is involving our best modality to study in order to make studying easier. Although one of our modality is better than the others, it doesn’t mean that we only can study with that modality. We can combine our modality, as long as we feel comfort when studying. LangVid Language Training (2010) states that “knowing your learning style is not meant to limit you, but expand you–by helping you to work, learn and live more efficiently”.

References:

DePorter, B., & Hernacki, M. (2001). Quantum Learning: Unleashing The Genius In You. Bandung: Kaifa.

Fleming, G. (n.d.). Learning Style. Retrieved June 12, 2012, from Homework Tips: http://homeworktips.about.com/od/homeworkhelp/a/learningstyle.htm

J. Nicholl, M., & Rose, C. (1997). Accelerated Learning for the 21st Century. Bandung: Nuansa.

Kelly, M. (n.d.). Kinesthetic Learners. Retrieved June 12, 2012, from About.com: http://712educators.about.com/od/learningstyles/p/kinesthetic.htm

LangVid Tranining. (2010). Retrieved May 23, 2012, from Studying Style: A guide to learning style: http://www.studyingstyle.com/learning-style-benefits.html

Learning Styles. (2012, June 12). Retrieved May 20, 2012, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_styles

Meier, D. (2002). The Accelerated Learning Handbook. Bandung: Kaifa.

O'Neill, R. (2000, March 23). Communicative Language Teaching. Retrieved May 5, 2012, from Ted Power English Language Learning and Teaching: http://www.btinternet.com/~ted.power/esl0404.html

Comparison between American and Indonesian Consumers’ Preferences

Posted by Weina Agnestya Fauline Stefani Putri | Labels: Cross Cultural Understanding

Indonesia and United State are different country. They are located in two different continents. Indonesia is in Asia, while United State is in America. Thus, their cultures and behaviors are different. Each of them has their own uniqueness. However, they are not totally different. We can find some similarities between them, especially in consumers’ preferences. There are four things that Indonesian and American consumers like in choosing things. They are comfort, cleanliness, novelty, and convenient.

First of all, Indonesian and American like comfort. It is maybe influenced by the ancestors’ life, whose life was difficult and was not comfortable, so their descents are motivated to create a better life. For that reason, they are aware of comfort as their consideration in choosing things. For instance, if they are going to buy new clothes, they will examine the fabric of the clothes, whether the fabric is comfortable or not. However, Indonesians also consider the price of the thing they are going to buy. They prefer cheap things to expensive ones. When they find a suitable and comfort thing, they will check the price tag. If the price is too expensive, the will change their mind to buy it. Some Indonesians also like buying unoriginal things, like DVDs. We can easily find it anywhere. The reason why they buy unoriginal DVDs is because it is cheaper to watch DVD than going to cinema to watch movie. They also can watch the movie like a hundred times. The quality of unoriginal DVDs is quite good. It is forbidden, but the government seems not serious to prevent it.

The second similarity of Indonesian and American is cleanliness. American’s cleanliness is perhaps influenced by the Puritans heritage. They believe that everyone must cleanse their body from the dirt and evil. They do not only keep their bodies, but also their stuff, houses, and even pets. They also love cleanliness for the sake of beauty and healthy, and so do Indonesian. However, in my opinion, cleanliness in Indonesia and America is not the same. American is cleaner than Indonesia. It shown from the public places in Indonesia, where garbage, such as plastics, mineral water bottles, papers, tissues, are spread everywhere. Indonesians seem do not care about the cleanliness, because they like to throw rubbish carelessly, instead of throwing the rubbish to a trash can. Furthermore, many public places do not provide trash cans.

The third similarity is novelty. Both of Indonesian and American like something new and different. They think that brand new things can increase their pride. If they do not have enough money to buy new things, maybe because the price is very expensive, they can buy it with using credit. There are many shops offering credit for their customers. In addition, they like improving old things, for example, they like improving old cars by changing the color of the cars, or adding some features in it, like GPS–Global Positioning System, a satellite navigation system that provides location and time information anywhere. Many Indonesians also like recycling. They recycle garbage like plastics or plastics bottles to become new things, such as bags, indoor ornaments, etc. Recycling does not only help them to save their money, but also to save the world.

The last similarity is convenience. Electronics are one sample of convenience thing. Not only American and Indonesian like using electronics, but also people around the world like using electronics to help them to do activities. Washing machines, microwave ovens, food processors, etc. are electronics that help them to reduce their time spent on housework. They also like fast-food restaurants, like McDonald’s, KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken), Pizza Hut, Hoka Hoka Bento, etc. Those restaurants serve foods like fried chickens, salads, burgers, pizzas, sandwiches, spaghettis, less than fifteen minutes. Besides, the restaurants also offer ‘take-away service’, which the customers order the foods and they can bring it to their homes.

In conclusion, both American and Indonesian like comfort, cleanliness, novelty, and convenient. However, in my opinion, American is better than Indonesian. American like buying original stuff because they appreciate the producers and their government firmly bans it. In the view of cleanliness, America is cleaner than Indonesia. Indonesian seem ignoring their environment. That is why, flood is usual disaster that happens in Indonesia because of the ignorance of Indonesians to keep their environment.

References:

(2008, August). Retrieved October 25, 2012, from Yahoo! Answers: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090120141721AAkCO44

Datesman, M. K. American Ways, An Introduction to American Culture. Longman.

Global Positioning System. (2012, October 25). Retrieved October 2012, 25, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Positioning_System

Stuff That The Indonesian always Like. (n.d.). Retrieved October 25, 2012, from Indonesian Prefer: http://indoprefers.blogspot.com/2009/08/stuffs-that-indonesian-always-love.html

An Analysis of Jenny Joseph's Warning

Posted by Weina Agnestya Fauline Stefani Putri | Labels: Poem, Poet

Warning

By Jenny Joseph

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit row more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

Jenny Joseph’s “Warning” is a dramatic poem which expresses emotion to describe something. The poem describes the life of old people which is unhappy. Old people act like children because the lack of fun. They must follow social rules so people can accept them. They cannot enjoy their life because they grow older and they are not as strong as young people. Through the poem, Jenny tries to tell people that although responsibilities and commitments must be obeyed, people need a time to enjoy their life and live in a life they wish, even when they get older.

In detail, the poem is telling about old people’s life and they don’t like it. The first stanza is telling about some things that old people do. They wear purple and red hat which is a symbol of the change from the responsibility of life to the happier life of the elderly. They live in a simple way. They are weak as they are old, so they cannot do many things. They use stick or wheelchair to help them to do activities. They spend the days by enjoying the nature and writing some notes for their children. They are wise and always advise younger people. Second stanza tells how older people must follow social rule. They must look nice and authoritative to everyone. They must be good models, wise, and respected to younger people. They must stay in social rules whether they like it or not. They must because they need to be accepted to the sociality. Third stanza shows that the author of the poem needs to prepare herself to live in her old age. She was thirty when she wrote the poem.

There are two figurative of the poem. The first is irony. It is shown on the meaning of the poem. The first stanza is telling about how old people’s life is peaceful and happy. But the second and third stanza shows that their life is not fun as it seems. The old people must follow social standard in order to make them acceptable in the sociality. The second figurative is symbol. It is shown in the first stanza line 1 and 2 “When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat . . .” As explained above, it is a symbol of the changing of life when people get old.

Some words or phrases in this poem contain dennotative and connotative meanings. “Make up for the sobriety of my youth” mean that old people must speak about good and wise things to advise and support young people. ”Clothes that keep us dry” means that old people must keep their behavior for they are examples for young people. “Practice” in line 1 of the third stanza, means that the author should prepare herself to be an old woman.

There are four imageries of the poem: visual, tactile, kinesthetic of movement, and kinesthetic of feeling. “Old woman”, “purple”, “red hat”, “summer gloves”, “rain”, “gardens”, “hoard pens and pencils” are visual imagery. “Satin sandals” is tactile imagery. “Sit down”, “press alarm bells”, “gobble up”, “pick flowers”, “eat”, “pay our rent”, “set a good example”, “practice” are imagery of kinesthetic of movement. “Sobriety”, “shocked and surprised” is imagery of kinesthetic of feeling.

An Analysis of Hughes' Mother to Son

Posted by Weina Agnestya Fauline Stefani Putri | Labels: Poem, Poet

Mother to Son

by Langston Hughes

Well, son, I'll tell you:

Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
It's had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor—
Bare.
But all the time
I'se been a-climbin' on,
And reachin' landin's,
And turnin' corners,
And sometimes goin' in the dark
Where there ain't been no light.
So, boy, don't you turn back.
Don't you set down on the steps.
'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.
Don't you fall now—
For I'se still goin', honey,
I'se still climbin',
And life for me ain't been no crystal stair

Hughes’s Mother to Son tells the reader about a mother that advices her son to struggle in his life. The mother has gone through the hard life, and she is able to survive, so she ensures her son to keep trying hard in his life.

The words in the poem are metaphor which the author tries to portray how the mother’s hard life with a hard road. “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair” express that life is as not as easy we can imagine. “It’s had tacks in it, and splinters, and boards torn up, and places with no carpet on the floor—Bare”. They imply that there are many obstacles in the life. She tells her son about how hard the life is because she has experienced it. She thinks that her son maybe will experience it. She wants her son to be ready to face the life. “But all the time I’se been a-climbin’ on, and reachin’ landin’s, and turnin’ corners, and sometimes goin’ in the dark, where there ain’t been no light”. The mother keeps trying, so she is able to pass the obstacle. “So, boy, don’t you turn back. Don’t you set down on the steps. . . . Don’t you fall now—For I’se still goin’, honey, I’se still climbin’,” She wants her son not to give up. ‘Cause you finds it’s kinder hard” According to the mother, the son’s life is better than hers.

Through this poem, the author wants the readers to understand that every mother always cares about her children. Mother always advices her children about many things. Maybe it sounds bored for the children, but above all, the mother really cares for her children’s future.

In this poem, the author wants to portray the journey of the mother’s life. Thus, the author uses connotation to give the poem a realistic meaning. The author uses ‘crystal stair’ to say that the mother life has not been beautiful. Then, the author uses ‘tacks’, ‘splinters’ which means something that can cause pain. To represent the damage in life, the author uses ‘The torn up boards’. The author then uses ‘no carpet on the floor’ and ‘Bare’ to imply coldness and loneliness. To represent struggle in life, the author uses ‘I’se been a-climbin’ on’. ‘reachin’ landin’s’ means achieving the goals in life; ‘turnin’ corners’ means trying something new; ‘dark’ can represent obstacles; ‘no light’ represents unexplored; ‘don’t you turn back’ means not to run away from life; and ‘set down on the steps’ to state not to give up.

The poem, definitely, uses imagery. There are three imageries in the poem: kinesthetic, visual, and tactile. ‘tell’, ‘climbin’’, ‘reachin’’, ‘landin’’, ‘goin’’ are kinesthetic imagery which include sense of movement. ‘dark’, ‘no light’, and ‘crystal stair’ are visual imagery. ‘tacks’, ‘splinters’, and ‘boards’ are tactile imagery.

Weina Agnestya

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How to Intergrate Grammar with Communicative Language Teaching

Types of Learning Styles

Comparison between American and Indonesian Consumers’ Preferences

An Analysis of Jenny Joseph's Warning

An Analysis of Hughes' Mother to Son