EXPOSITION
TEXT
"HOW
TO ENCOURAGE ENGLISH DEPARTMEN STUDENTS TO SPEAK ENGLISH MORE OFTEN AND
CONFIDENTLY"
Language is the ability that people use to communicate with others. In this world there are many kinds and varieties of
languages that must be different according to
the context of their use. Indonesian becomes a national language that must be
known and controlled by all citizens of Indonesia. Nevertheless, Indonesia is
currently in an era of globalization and has a great challenge to play a role
in the ASEAN Economic Community or the MEA. Therefore, the people of Indonesia
are required to be able to master a foreign language, especially the international
language is English.
Seeing this, not a few people finally chose to continue
their studies in English majors, especially here is the Faculty of Teacher
Training and Education, English Department. From the 'title' it is clear that
this faculty is a 'factory' that produces English teachers. In addition, the
choice for FKIP English graduates is also very much because the ability to
communicate with English is required in almost all areas. Moreover, there is
one advantage of English in FKIP. Students are not only prepared to CAN speak
English, but also CAN TEACH English to others. But the question is whether all
students of English Department have really learned English well? Are they able
to communicate in English fluently and confidently? Can they be role models for
others who do not learn English?
In fact, many things still do not fill public
expectations. Currently not a few students of English Education Studies Program
who have not fully able to learn the subject that should be mastered. One is to
speak English. Many students ignore this factor. They speak English only when
they are in speaking class or when the
teacher asks them to speak English. Nonetheless the students still do not want
to be active and choose more silence. This would be detrimental to the students
themselves. Why? Because when they are already in the community they will
compete with graduates of English Department from other universities. If their
ability is so far left behind then the prospects of work that they have will be
less. Besides, speaking English fluently and confident will also make people
more appreciate them. Indirectly they will also be ready to face the
development of the times, especially MEA, because having the ability to speak
in English well and correctly will minimize misunderstanding when they talk to
the native speakers someday.
The lack of ability of students in speaking English is
actually caused by several factors. Among them is the lack of motivation in
them to learn. This makes students reluctant to try and try. Those who like it
usually assume that college is a duty. So, once the class has finished their
task will also be completed. Especially if students who enter the English Department
has no interest in the courses they study. They enter into it only because they
are forced or as alternatives to being unemployed who have no activity.
Another reason that students choose not to talk too
much in English is because they do not have much vocabulary and grammar. They
are eager to speak in English but they are afraid that if the word they use is
inappropriate and the sentence is incorrect. It is also actually influenced by
how the learning method they use. It may be that the method they use is less
effective but they still use it because they do not know what method is
appropriate and can facilitate them. In addition some students are also too
comfortable to learn on their own so they do not have friends to give each
other an evaluation that actually can make them a better learner again.
From the above
reasons, the student can actually take some solutions. First and
foremost is to foster motivation in themselves. The greatest motivator is
ourselves. Others are just a supporting factor that takes a bit of a role in this.
Begin to get used to learning and loving what we learn. There is no compulsive
word when we work on something, because it is the same we are just wasting
time. Enterprises in learning should not be solely intended to abort
obligations but intended as a field of worship. What we always look for and the
benefits will always flow even though we are dead.
Second, about the lack of vocabulary and grammar. In
this case the student should try hard because after all vocabulary and grammar
is an important factor that will help us in speaking english. It will also show
how well we speak. To get a lot of vocabulary students should read more often,
listen and practice. Doing it repeatedly every day will make the brain automatically
record and store it in memory. So it is with grammar. To learn this the students must really know and understand the existing theories, then make it in a simple
formula that can make them easier in using it. After that, apply in the form of
sentences delivered orally in particular. When the vocabulary of students is
quite a lot and their understanding of grammar is good enough then they will
easily speak in English with confidence. And make it a fun pleasure.
Third, about the methods which students use in
learning. In fact each student has a different method or way - different in
learning English, especially speaking. But generally when they learn English
they often learn first is reading and then writing, listening and finally
speaking. This method indirectly makes students not accustomed to speak in
English. From this case we may be able to imitate the children and their mother.
Young children learn from their mothers from listening and then uttering.
Imitate what her mother had said before she could read and write. Therefore
there is a term whose name is 'mother tongue'. This also happens to native
speakers. English is their daily language which automatically is very
beneficial to them. So, to improve the ability to talk students should listen to
more conversations, dialogue, songs or English-language movies. From there, they will know how to speak english correctly with a good pronountiation like a
native speaker.
Fourth, about self-study or self-taught. In some cases,
self-taught learning is enough to help students learn. But not always so if in
language, especially in this case is learning to speak. In learning to speak
english students need friends. Why? Because language is a tool to communicate.
From the communication it will happen good lead relation. Who hears and who
speaks. Students will support each other and evaluate the mistakes they
encounter. Especially if the friend who was invited to speak already experts in
the field. Then they will get new insights that will certainly be very useful.
Allow students to form their own gang. In this case the
gang can not be said as something negative because the gang here is a gang that
makes them learn to speak in English every day. In this gang there are rules
must always communicate using English every day, as well as other rules that
support their mission in learning to speak in english. From here, Students will
get used to speaking English in front of others. Automatically, their
confidence will increase. And their speaking will be much better.
