TALK with BABY

HAVE FUN GO MAD WITH ENGLISH

2011-04-29T06:31:00.000+07:00

Abstract
Using Games is believed to be one of the effective ways to make teaching learning process in a class alive. English, indeed, can build an attractive and fun atmosphere during teaching learning that students are likely to pay attention to the lesson taught through the games. Using games is one of the suitable tricks in teaching English too, therefore, many teachers try to download as many games as possible from the internet, they forget that such a way can decrease their own creativity since they will just rely on the internet. Another thing that teachers neglect is whether the games conducted can increaase students’ ability in the subject taught or not. As a matter of fact, sometimes games remain games only that students will forget what is the message behind it. So, it is better that the games played especillay in English subject can work as stimuli for students to speak.
Games on the internet are not always good sources. There are times when situations, conditions, and facilities at schools do not suit the games browsed. Hence, it is better that teachers can create their own games which are suitable for their students, moreover, they suit the local culture. The basic things of creating games are to make teachers show their own masterpiece and motivate students to be able to make games in English. Thus, we can see how English is really applied in real life.
As examples of the games, teachers can pick out games of Indonesian Independence Day. It is reasonable to have this since everyone is quite familiar with the games. By recalling how the games done teachers can create their own words to make the terms and conditions. The next stage, it will be students jobs to make the procedures of the games in Independence Day games and run it based on their own procedures. By having this, it won’t be teachers only who organize or lead the games but students can do it, too. These games can be done as part of teaching “Procedure Text”.

Chapter 1
Introduction
1.1 General Background Leading to the Emergence of English
English as a compulsory subject in Indonesia taught since kindergarten or at least in the fourth grade is not successful enough to make people speak it. It is seen from the number of people who use and understand English. In the classes I teach for instance mostly there are three students only out of thirty who are able to speak English fluently, five students are passive, and the rest are just attend the class as their obligation of going to school. As a presenter of an English program, I also find that there are some guests on my show speak fast but not accurate enough. I argue that people mostly are not aware of the function of grammar during the process of learning the language, so that the way they speak can be concluded as the results of their learning process.
The problem in learning English in Indonesia as I experienced is in its delivery. The government packs English as knowledge rather than a means of communication that has goals to make people able to communicate. Mostly, students are able to speak English not because of what they have got from school, but from outside of schools. It shows that the exposure of English at schools is still less. What we get at schools is English knowledge that later it cannot be used as a strong weapon for people to bring in conversation. The knowledge remains knowledge that makes people good at writing but not speaking. Or I can also say that there are some material at schools do not suit what language learners need, such material should be taught after English learners have gotten their basic of speaking.
This condition surely makes teaching learning process in English boring. Thus, teachers are asked to deliver their teaching attractively. Then, teachers try to find some new methods for teaching improvement through the internet. They forget that their creativity will just rely on and be stuck to that.
Many websites on the internet expose teaching and learning that all we need is just downloading, and copy-pasting it. This case causes even worse effects which teachers will never be creative. Either way, not all websites on the internet suit the situations, conditions and facilities of schools. Shortly, there are some good ideas on the internet that cannot be done in our daily activities due to the limit of facilities even they are in contrast to Indonesian culture. Thus, use what are on the internet as references and motivators are needed rather than merely adopt it.
It is often stated in some literatures that teaching can be more fun with playing games. Charles and Jill (1990) argued that games can play an important part in the language learning process generally. When thinking about the teaching of writing, it is inportant to have a reason for writing , and they believe that games can provide a useful answer. He also added that games can also provide an audiences for the writer. David Paul (1989) suggested that language learning should not be separated from having fun, and having fun should not be separated from language learning. He also suggested that songs and games are preferable to what children like and the particular classroom situation in which teachers are teaching. I agree with this, I would say. But, still I argue that there are some other weaknesses of using games which students will just concern about the activities during the game but not on improving language through games, and it is not sure yet whether students comprehend and really use the language after the games.
Setting up our own games can make teachers make a lot of efforts to create some words in English. Indirectly they will sharpen their own brains. The goals of setting up the games of our own do not belong to teachers only. Since the goal of our teaching is to make students able to speak, later on students are required to be able to create their own games as well by using teachers as their role models.
As stimuli for students to be able to use English, teachers can use the games exist in their surroundings. Independence Day games can be good choices. They are games that always played during the Independence Day. They are varied such as Balap Karung (Sack Race), Panjat Pinang (Palm tree climbing), Balap Makan Krupuk (Crackers eating race), Mengambil koin pada semangka ( water melon money picking), Gendong rinjing (Bucket back holding race), etc.
There are a lot of games on Independence Day that all Indonesians know well. The steps of creating games for English teaching can start from here. First, we can list what should we do during the game accordingly, then the terms and conditions of playing it. This activity actually leads students to a creative writing in which students start making games by writing the steps of which, but before they start their own writing, teachers can show their own masterpiece as examples.

1.2 The Background of the Use of Independence Day Games for the Seventh Graders of SMPN 1 Kecamatan Jetis Ponorogo.
SMPN 1 kec Jetis Ponorogo is a Junior High School leading to the international standard school. It is located a little away from downtown for about 12 km to the south. Mostly, people there make a living through farming. And that is how students at SMPN 1 Kecamatan Jetis mostly raised up. However, the qualities of the students there are quite excellent in some ways compared to schools downtown. It can be seen from some achievements gained through some local and national level competitions, and it is chosen to be a school leading to an international standard school. Unfortunately, the achievements do not belong to English in which the students are quite passive in speaking. This problem come from the background of the students that they live at a remote place where it is hard for them to get good English courses where students downtown usually go to enhance their English.
For the seventh graders, in a class consists of 28 until 32 students, there are commonly only 3 until 5 students who are capable in comprehending spoken English, the rest are just passive and lack of knowledge. It can be drawn from the scores gotten in their daily tests for English. When it comes to the writing section, the nature of students in English is truly seen. Mostly, they lack of knowledge in using to be, auxiliary, and parts of speech. Students are likely to say: I’m study, do you can speak English, etc. Thus, it is reasonable that I bring up procedure text for them to begin writing since the procedure text for the seventh graders uses the basic of verbs, and generally discusses imperative in positive and negative forms. These aspects are not yet complicated for students with low proficiency. Moreover, based on the curriculum syllabi procedure text is taught at the first half of the second semester. So, the approach of using the Independence Day games as the stimuli to write procedure text creatively can be taken.
1.3 Purpose of the Writing Games
1.3.1 For teachers
Have Fun Go Mad with English is set up to make teachers aware of being creative in digging any potency available so that they will not only depend on the internet since internet can mislead them to become eternal users. Indeed teachers’ creativity in writing forms is an authentic proof of their professionalism.
Using what is around us helps us in teaching maximize nature and mind that teachers do not need to look too far just to be called modern. Writing development through local culture can be a proof that even simple things will work to enhance students’ ability.
Have Fun Go Mad with English also works to get connection between English knowledge and its use in daily communication for students. In writing process where revision takes many times will help students to maintain and bring up proper English so that they know that knowledge of English such as structure and grammar cannot be separated both in written or spoken forms. The games played work as media to deliver knowledge or material not just time to get students’ attention.
1.3.2 For students
Writing freely just like talking their head off makes students pour down as many ideas as possible on papers. This process shows that sometimes delivering their mind through writing is widely possible than speaking the ideas out right away. Once students accustomed to writing, the flow and ease of putting up ideas on paper will be smoother. Such a way is only a step ahead in making them bring up language into speaking.

Chapter 2
2.1. The Steps of Writing Independence Day Games as Procedure Text
The teaching of writing the procedures of the Independence Day games is as follows:
2.1.1 Teachers lead a game.
In practice, teachers use sack race, and crackers eating race. These games are promptly done without giving introductions of what goals of what they are going to do. It is aimed to make students totally involved with fun and have no burden that they should take some lesson during the games.
2. 1.2 Teachers show the original steps of the game played in written form.
After playing the games, teachers can show the steps of the game just played. They are shown as follows:
1. Sack Race (Balap Karung)
Material: Sacks
Procedure: 1. Get inside the sack
2. Be ready in the start line.
3. Run or jump with the sack after the count down (ready, get set, go).
4. Who get first at the finish line wins.
Terms and conditions: The losers have to put some powder on their faces, the winners get a reward (snacks etc).
The sketch shown is aimed to make students aware that to speak we need drafts in order to avoid missing words or wrong grammar. Drafting what we are going to say is a good step for the beginners as Brown and Hood (1998) suggested. Brown and Hood described the three main stages of the writing process as:
1. Preparing to write
2. Drafting
3. Revising
Some other literature strengthen the idea of revising, Brown and Hood (1989) for example stated that revising might take place many times while we are drafting or after we have finished a draft. In this phase teachers can check whether students have said what they wanted to say and whether they have said the words in a clear and appropriate way.
2. Crackers eating Race (balap makan krupuk)
Materials: strings, crackers
Procedures: 1. Hang the crackers on the strings.
2. Eat the crackers with the hands are hidden in the back.
3. Who can finish the crackers the first win the game.
Terms and conditions: The losers must dance, the winners get a reward.
The sketch shown can work as a role model for students as well. Students will be motivated to do as their teachers have done. The simple words will enable students to understand and feel the comfort of using vocabulary that familiar with them.
One more thing about playing games is about the rewards and punishments given. David Paul (1996) got an idea to reward the winners with some scores. Some other time, teachers can provide candies or snacks or gifts to reward the winninig students. The thing that teachers should mind is that rewards work well with some children, particularly young children, but it does have dangers. After a while, some children will not participate very enthusiastically unless they are going to get candies. So, teachers must take a prior when playing the games that what they really want is giving students stimulation from learning English, not bribes or rewards.
2.1.3 Explaining the structures and grammar used in the games.
As teachers show the steps of the games in written form, we need to elicit the patterns of the sentences and how grammar takes its toll there. It covers how to make imperative sentences in positive and negative forms, and they are the actual nature of the procedure text that is to ask someone to do things. The pattern and the grammar elicitation can be:

a. Positive imperative:
Formula:
1. Use the basic verb to make command, for example: take the marbles, run to the finish line, open your mouth, etc.
2. Use “be” preceding the adjective. For example: be gentle, be calm, be careful.
b. Negative Imperative.
Formula:
1. Precede the sentence with “don’t” then the basic verbs. For example: Don’t touch the crackers, don’t use your hands, don’t swallow the coins, etc.
2. Use “be” after “don’t” for the sentence consists of adjective.
For example: Don’t be too long, don’t be noisy, don’t be picky, etc.
2.1.4 Games making done by students.
After students get the basic of writing procedure text, then students shall pick out a game to be played by themselves. Then they list the steps of which. It can be done directly in English or written in Indonesian first then later translated into English as Brown and Susan (1998) wrote: “write them (the ideas) down very quickly. They don’t have to be inn English”.
2.1.5 Grammar Revision by teachers.
This step is as what has been mentioned in the main stages of the writing process. It is aimed to reinforce the connection between English knowledge and its application and daily life, it can be a kind of ongoing revision, since students might do it all over again. Teachers have to make students understand that they cannot leave the knowledge they have before in writing.
2.1.6 Be creative by modifying the games.
For the strong class or students the games making does not stop as the basic of procedure text only. Since the goal of the creative writing is to make students explore what is on their mind in written form it is suggested that students should modify the games by using their own terms and conditions, giving the opening and the closing so that it will be a casual language as the everyday use. The results of which are enclosed.
2.1.7 Games time.
Students play the games as they have sketched which are recorded. Teachers take role only as a supervisor or even they can play with students to make the atmosphere alive and contribute to a more positive learning environment. The games time can function as a phase of pleasure time after students work hard or in other words it can be a kind of reward after the hard work that students are waiting for. Here, students might not realize that while playing they have applied the language.
2.1.8 Reinforcement of grammar revision through the video watching
Again, to make students aware of the mistakes they made during the games, revision takes place just to ensure that students bring the language correctly as the draft. It is necessary to be done since it typically happens that the speaking will drop the proper grammar.
Evaluation indeed is not only done once. Andrew Wright (1997) mentioned that correcting is one way of trying to help someone to learn. In doing revision teachers will do some marking. For a big class that might not be able to be handled by teachers alone, teachers can ask group to work on each other’s writing what so called peer checking, underlining what they think is wrong and looking up spelling in dictionary.

Chapter 3
Have Fun Go Mad with English is actually a simple trick to make both teachers and students make efforts in creating a masterpiece. Mostly, teachers now misused technology development where they bluntly use what is on there without giving any touch. I believe good students come from good teachers too, so, we can see what students in the future will be by seeing the teachers who teach them meantime.
Teachers’ production in writing can be a good motivation for students to do the same. Shortly, if teachers want students to be able to write, they must be first able to write, too. It is time for teachers to be the creators not users only, upload and share their masterpiece for others.
As for students Have Fun Go mad with English really allow them to jot down what is on their mind with casual words as well as having fun and applying the knowledge of English in a real communication.

References

Brown, Kristine and Susan Hood. 1989. Writing Matters: Writing Skills and Stratagies for Students of English. Cambridge University Express

Halliwel, S. 1992. Teaching English in the Primary Classroom. Longman

Haldfied, Charles and Jill. 1990. Writing Games. Nelson

Paul, David. 1996. Songs and Games for Children. Macmillan Heinemann

Wright, Andrew. 1997. Creating Stories with Children.Oxford Univesity Press

Let's have chats...

2010-11-05T06:59:00.005+07:00

Well, after having a long discussion about the very basic of English grammar and structure for conversation, here they are the examples of how the knowledge of English is applied in daily chats.

Speaking Practice
1. Elementary School
Harno : Excuse me. Did you go to a kindergarten when you were a child?
Harni : No, I didn’t, but elementary school.
Harno : How old were you when you entered elementary school?
Harni : I was six years old, I think.
Harno : Did you ever failed?
Harni : You mean when I was in elementary school?
Harno : Yes.
Harni : Oh, no. I never failed.
Harno : How old were you when you finished it?
Harni : If I’m not mistaken, I was twelve years old.
Harno : By the way, where did you study?
Harni : I studied in Surabaya, East java.
Harno : What did you do after finishing Elementary Shool?
Harni : Of course, I went to junior high school.
Harno : In Surabaya as well?
Harni : No, it was in Solo, central Java.
(adapted from Metoda 21 English Course Text book)

2. At a cell phone shop
Clark : Good morning. Can I help you?
Sarah : Sure. I’m looking for a cell phone with a camera feature.
Clark : Please this way. I’ll show you...
Sarah : Whoa! Many brands! I don’t know which one is good.
Clark : All is good. The cell phones available help you to choose.
Sarah : Are they expansive? I’m afraid that I can’t afford it.
Clark : How much did you allow for the cell phone you want?
Sarah : I just have Rp. 1.500.000,-
Clark : Oh...if that’s your budget. I suggest that you take this one...
Sarah : Where is it made in?
Clark : Let me check. Hm...it is made in China.
Sarah : But I heard that cellphones made in China is easily broken.
Clark : That’s not true. The lasting of a thing is based on its use. If you use it well, then it will be last longer.
Sarah : What about that one?
Clark : Hm...it is made in Germany. It is a bit expansive, but with the same features as the China one.
Sarah : Okay then. I take the made in China one. Thanks for the recommendation.
Clark : You’re welcome.

3. At an Office
Claudia : Come in, please.
Guest : Good morning.
Claudia : Good morning, sir. Can I do you a favor?
Guest : Yes. I’d like to see Mr. Jacky.
Claudia : Alright. But Can I have your name, please?
Guest : I’m Mr.Georgia.
Claudia : Could you please spell your name, Sir. I’d like to make sure that I don’t miswritten your name.
Guest : G – E – O – R - G – I - A
Claudia : Thank you. Have you made an appointment with Mr. Jacky?
Guest : I’m afraid not.
Claudia : I’m sorry, Sir. Mr. Jacky only accepts a guest with an appointment first. Could I put you in the waiting list.
Guest : I see. Okay then. Can I leave a massage for him?
Claudia : Sure. Any name card?
Guest : Yeah...here it is.
Claudia : Okay I’ll ring you up when everything is dealt.
Guest : By the way, may I have your name?
Claudia : I’m Claudia, Sir. Mr. Jacky’s secretary.
Guest : Well, Claudia. Thanks for all. See you.
Claudia : You’re welcome. Bye...

Classroom Action Research Workshop

2010-10-09T14:47:00.003+07:00

I'm now sitting again for a two day workshop about CLassroom Action Research or it is shortened as "CAR" or popular with "PTK" in bahasa.( Then I'll use PTK for my writing).

PTK is a new trend for thesis making for University students in Teacher Training Education Faculty. This case comes up for students in Teacher Training Education Faculty will involve in teaching learning process when they have graduated. In teaching teachers will face some problems regard to students, the teaching process, making lesson plan and so forth. By getting familiar with PTK since the early beginning, the teacher training Education students will not find difficulties in making a such thesis. Moreover, as teachers, having PTK is a must for them one day.

PTK has many functions. The first: it can be used to be a teacher portfolio in passing through certification program. The second, PTK is used to get promotion. The third, for any other incentive given by government, it needs PTK as the requirement. Briefly, we can say that PTK is a card to draw some money.

Since PTK is so promising to get an extra income, teachers will be hurried to work on it. This reason, however,create a kind of manipulation in making PTK.It is found that many teachers just grab the exist PTK to be copied or modified, they have even never practiced it before.Or they will just someone to work for them.

The case above is usually done by unqualified teachers who were recruited as PNS by dirty ways. My question are: 1) does the government care about this? 2) Is there any evaluation for the exist PNS? 3) Is there any other way to prove that a PNS is qualified rather than having certificates or writing only?

There are a lot of problems that Indonesia government must handle that it is understandable if the government can't supervise all teachers all across Indonesia, the payment in certification can be wasting when this program is used as a making money machine thou. So my next question is for the teachers who are involved in such dirty things. Where is their heart when they receive 12 millions in certifications or other allowance while they didn't work for it?

It is quite in contrary from teachers basic characters that they are models and figure to be followed by their students. However, money has blocked their brain to become the real teachers as the should be.

Life is hard. Hope it won't be a reason to always justify any ways to make money. Moreover, being PNS through teacher positions are still pursued by many people out there. Hope, those who are recruited having good morality that will not use money as their goal in being teachers but serve students and government a right and good lesson.

WH-QUESTIONS

2010-10-07T07:55:00.004+07:00

All questions start by Wh are called WH-QUESTIONS. These questions need answers based on the essence of what the "WH" brings.Wh Questions include:
When : Kapan (asking time)
Where: Kemana/ dimana (Asking place)
What : Apa (Asking things)
WHy : Kenapa/ Mengapa (asking reason)
Who : Siapa (Asking people/ subject)
Whom : Siapa (Asking people/ object)
How : Bagaimana (asking a way)
How : Berapa (asking quantity)
Which: Yang mana (asking preference)

When we know the use of Yes/ No questions in sentences,we will be able to make WH Questions for they are the combination between WH and Yes/ No questions. For example:
Yes/ No : Are you tired? (Apakah kamu lelah?)
When we want to use WH Questions we just simply put any WH we want preceding the Yes/ No we have made.
For example: Mengapa kamu lelah?
Why are you tired?
Another example Yes/ No questions using "aux" to be changed into Wh-Questions:
1. Yes/ No : Do you go to Madiun?
WH : When do you go to Madiun?

2. Modal : Will you go to Madiun?
Wh : How will you go to Madiun?

After knowing the pattern above we can draw Wh-Questions formula as follows:
WH + tobe/ aux/ modal + subject +

But there is an exception. When we ask a person as a subject, we don't need to add anything after Wh. We will use the Verb directly. The tense of the Verb depends on the time the verb happens.
For example: Simple Present Tense: Who takes my book? (siapa yang mengambil bukuku?)
Simple Past Tense : Who took my book?
Simple Future Tense : Who will take my book?
Present Perfect Tense : Who has taken my book?

When asking a person functions as an object, we need to put auxiliary after WHO or WHOM.
For example: Who did you go with yesterday? (dengan siapa kamu pergi kemarin?)
Who did you buy a cell phone for? (Untuk siapa kamu beli HP?)

Knocking on Someone's Heart

2010-09-20T07:37:00.002+07:00

I used to think that "TOLONG" reality show was only a made up show, means that it has been prepared: the actors, the scene etc. And I used to think that helping someone was easy to do because I'm used to doing it. Anytime some friends of mine complain that they are unemployed, I try to get them some information about job vacancies. Even sometimes there are some friends bring some English work I will give them a hand, how tired I am thou. So, the situation given in "TOLONG" reality show is an easy thing to do if it comes to me.

I believe the other will think so but it turns to be a ridiculous thing when yesterday, when my motor engine was dead, when magrib was approaching, when everyone had taken a bath, when I dragged my motor for more than 1 kilometer, I couldn't find anyone to help me.

When I found a repairing shop in the second kilometer , the repairer just simply said: "sorry, it's already closed". The next 100 meters the repairer said: "It's late already." What could I do? I'm just a woman who doesn't know anytthing about machine and stuff. It wasn't that bad actually because I called a friend that I supposed he could do aomething. He just had a walk with me instead since he doesn't know about repairing thing either.

I could drop tears kind of when everyone refused to help. It was no longer about making money for the repairer, but it was helping someone who couldn't go home when the dark came that it would be too risky being on the street that crime might happen too, and who knows that the person's home is far enough. Moreover, she was a woman.

Through a hard effort I reached a repairer shop that is near my house already. I left it there because the repairer said that he was too tired to fix the motor but it was okay since he is trustworthy. At the end, everything has been done well. And this morning I was able to ride my motor to work this morning.

I believe what I have told is quite familiar with our daily lives where sometimes we need some help or sometimes we have to help. However, there will be kind of burden when we are ask to help since there are somethings to consider. After helping it doesn't appear that we'll be paid the same as we have done. It is understandable if those thoughts come up but I believe it will always be good to help even we have to sacrifice our own. The payment might not come suddenly like we will be helped when we are in need but I believe it will be surely paid later in the here after.

So, why don't we gladly help no matter what?

Self Introduction

2010-08-31T08:22:00.006+07:00

Introducing greeting and parting to English learners as the first step of teaching English is necessary since they are the first things we say when we meet someone else.
Therefore, it is good to know what expressions are used in greeting and parting. Look at the notes below:

Greeting:
SALAM PERJUMPAAN
*Example:
Good Morning
Good Afternoon
Good Evening
Goo day
Hello/ Hi
How are you?
What’s up?
How are you doing?
How's life?
How's everything with you?
Nice to meet you
Nice to see you

*"How do you do" is a formal greeting used in the first meeting. The answer is also how do you do. It can be combined with nice to meet you since "nice to meet you is also only used in the first meeting. Either answer "how do you do or nice to meet you" is allowed as well.
*"How are you" is a formal greeting among people we are familiar with. For the casual one, we can use some other greeting expressions such as: what's up? how are you doing? How's everything with you? How's life?. The answer can be varied. Do not only say: I'm fine, thank you, but you can also use other variation as follows: Great, good, well, pretty good, not bad, pretty well etc. Don't forget to say "thanks" then greet back the person who has greeted us.

PARTING:
Salam Perpisahan.
Good bye/ bye (selamat tinggal)
See you....(next time, later, tomorrow, Sunday, tonight etc).
Take care (jaga diri)
Keep in touch (nanti kuhubungi)
*Enjoy + Ving/ Noun (Enjoy writing, enjoy the food, enjoy the trip etc)
*Have a nice dream, have nice sleep, have nice writing etc.
*Good night

Notes:
*Enjoy + Ving/ Noun and Have...are part of hopes we can add before we leave. By using these ones the conversation can be expanded and look to be more casual, using only one of the partings would be fine thou.
*Good night and good evening are different. One is parting, another one is greeting (see the example above)but people usually make them overlap where they often use good night as a parting too. After knowing the difference, hope we can use them properly.
*Good night is also used when someone wants to go to bed too (sleep).

One more thing about greeting and parting. There is a big difference between Indonesian and English culture. In Indonesia greeting especially about the days (good morning, good afternoon, good day, good evening) are commonly used as partings too but this case cannot happen in English.

See try me to have exercise about greeting and parting.

Now, let's move to the next level...

GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER
When we meet someone new it is possible to know her/ him deeper by asking some personal questions: name, address, hobby,job etc. But there are some that is considered rude to be asked such as: age,status (married/ single), and salary unless he/ she is close to us or we've known each other quite well.
Here some ways to get to know someones personal information:

1. What’s your name?
My name is…
I am...

2. Where do you live?
I live on Hatta street 44 Ponorogo
I live at 44 Hatta street Ponorogo
I live in Ponorogo

3. What’s your hobby?
My hobby is singing
I like to sing/ I like singing

4. What’s your father’s name?
He is “Brandon Lee”/ My father’s name is Brandon Lee

5. What is your father?
He is a doctor

6. What is your favorite food?
My favorite food is fried rice.
I like fried rice

7. How old are you?
I am twelve years old.

8. When were you born?
I am twelve years old.

9. When were you born?
I was born on July the third 1998

9. Where do you study?/ Where do you go to school?
I study at SMP N 1 Jetis Ponorogo

10. Who is your English teacher?
My English teacher is Ms. Titin Setyorini.
Her name is Titin Setyorini.
She is Titin Setyorini.

Knowing someone identity can be gotten either by asking someone his/ her information or we directly tell information about us. It can be done by summarizing the answers of questions above.
Don't forget to greet first before starting introducing yourself.

"Hi! Let me tell you about myself"
"Hello, everyone! I'd like to introduce myself"
"Good morning, guys! Let me introduce myself"
then continue with your information:
"My name is Aulia Lee. I live on Hatta street 44 Ponorogo. I like singing. My father is Brandon Lee. He is a doctor. My favorite food is fried rice. I am twelve years old. I was born on July the third 1998...etc"

Notes: you can adjust the information yourself.
At the end you can say "that's all about me. Thank you."

Remedy Test (7th grader)

2010-08-30T10:16:00.001+07:00

I. CIRCLE THE BEST ANSWER OF MULTIPLE CHOICES BELOW. (score 1)

1. Annie meets her friend at school. What will she say?

a. Hello, guys! b. Nice to meet you. c. Have a nice day d. Good night

2. It is 7 p.m Lucy sees her teacher at a restaurant. What will she say?

a. Good night, Sir! B. See you tomorrow c. Good evening, Sir! D. Take care

3. When Laurence has breakfast he sees her little sister just woke up. What will he say?

a. Have a nice dream b. Enjoy the food c. Good night d. Good Morning

4. My father takes me to school. After we reach the school he has to go his office. What will he say?

a. Good morning b. See you later c. Nice to see you. D. Good Afternoon

5. Which of the following expressions is not greeting?

a. Good day b. How are you? C. Good night d. Nice to meet you

6. Which of the following expressions is not parting?

a. Good bye b. Keep in touch c. Nice to meet you d. Have nice sleep

7. When will we use greeting?

a. When we want to go home b. When we meet someone

c. In the middle of conversation d. At the end of conversation

8. When will we use parting?

a. When we want to go to someone's home b. When we meet someone

c. In the middle of conversation d. At the end of conversation

9. What will you ask when you don’t know someone’s name?

a. Where do you live? B. What is your name c. How do you spell your name? d. Sorry, bye.

10. “I am twelve years old” is the answer of asking a….

a. Name b. Address c. Phone number d. Age

II. ANSWER THE QUESTIONS OF THE DIALOGUE BELOW! (score 3)

Hello, I’m Karina White. I live in a small village with my dad and mom. Since I’m the only child, I feel so lonely sometimes. On holidays I often spend my time seeing my grandpa down town. My grandma passed away two years ago.

My parents know that I often feel bored at home because I have no brother or sister so they let me have some friends visit me when they are not home. We often play hide and seek. My friends are nice but I hope I have a little sister one day so I want feel lonely anymore. A little brother will be so naughty, I think.

1. Where does Karina’s grandpa live?

2. Whom did Karina’s grandpa live with?

3. When did her grandma die?

4. What do Karina and friends do when they are at Karina’s house?

5. Why does Karina prefer to have a little sister?

III. ARRANGE THE DIALOGUES BELOW IN ORDER TO GET A GOOD CONVERSATION. (score 2)

Rudy : Alright. Hope you two can be friends too. (1)

Samuel : I don’t think so. (2)

Samuel : Nice to meet you. (3)

Rudy : Have you met Cindy before, Sam? (4)

Cindy : How do you do? (5)

Rudy : Ok Samuel, this is Cindy. And Cindy, this is Samuel, my classmate. (6)

Asking and Giving Information Detail

2010-08-30T09:59:00.002+07:00

you can download my file here (just click it)

It is all about the use of to be, auxiliary, command and prohibition, my material for seventh grade students.

Hope this works for you.

Speak up for Education in Indonesia

2010-08-24T08:38:00.002+07:00

I was involved in education field started July 2009 and I got surprised with how teaching learning is taken. There are a lot of things beyond my imagination.
The first thing is about teacher quality.
I have found out that there are some teachers are not qualified enough at their field. I assume that it happened because of the rules of CPNS (Government officers) recruitment.

In Indonesia government recruitment is based on a test under government supervision. The test covers: bahasa Indonesia,math, scholastic and other terms I can't remember. These tests really don’t show people ability in their field. Moreover there is no test that specifies to the field the applicants chosen. There is no English test for English applicants for instance. This circumstance emerges a question how government knows that the accepted applicants are able to teach. The GPA attached in application letter is not a guaranty that the score there reflects applicants’ ability. But, this is Indonesia!

Another way of government recruitment is by recruiting some teachers who have served voluntarily in some schools. From humanism side it is understandable. But, have they tested before teaching there? Many schools hire voluntarily teacher through nepotism, power of acquaintance or people who we know well in institutions takes place.
Everything is getting worse when sometimes we heard that bribing exists in recruitment test. The rumor says that 100-120 million rupiahs are spent to get a position in governmental office. What can we say?
The phenomena above are a clear description of Education in Indonesia.

I’m glad that I was recruited at SMPN 1 Jetis, a promising school with an RSBI level. Being PNS is my dream but I can not do a thing if CPNS test is still like what I explained above. Through what I write, I do hope that this contributes to the changing of CPNS recruitment rules. Let someone be tested based on his or her field, then I’ll be optimistic when applying.

RSBI is just another problem. RSBI is an extraordinary school. It can’t be put the same as other schools. It needs more responsible, talent and ideas. The goals of this kind of schools need a total teacher's contribution including time and energy. But I don’t notice that government appreciate RSBI teachers work since no difference in payment from the non-RSBI teachers to RSBI one. And this case is just another hard work for the voluntarily teachers who are not financially ready yet.

Javanese says: Jer Basuki mawa bea, it is indeed right. Appreciation through award, cash or whatever will stimulate teachers to be more creative and enthusiastic to always serve themselves in education world.

VIVA TEACHERS in INDONESIA!

TO BE, AUXILIARY

2010-08-23T11:02:00.003+07:00

I. Fill the blank below with to be or auxiliary.
1. ……..your mother a secretary?
2. ………she like English?
3. ………Bryan and Andy play football?
4. ………Anna cook in the kitchen?
5. ………I study math?
6. ………the tea sweet?
7. ………the weather hot?
8. ………the cats wild?
9. ………Lucas and Mario naughty?
10. ……..we walk to school?

II. Circle one correct verb of the exercises below.
1. Don’t (cheat/ cheating/ cheats)!
2. Does uncle (buy/ buying/ buys) you a gift for your birthday?
3. Carla doesn’t (eat/ eating/ eats) meat. She is a vegetarian.
4. I don’t (understand/ understanding/ understands) my teacher’s explanation.
5. Annie and my sisters (go, going, goes) to their friend’s house.
6. I have three puppies. I (give/ giving/ gives) them milk everyday.
7. Claudia (take/ takes/ taking) her little brother to a kindergarten.
8. The snakes (hiss/ hissing/ hisses) in the bush.
9. My teacher (close/ closing/ closes) today lesson.
10. The students (run/ running/ runs) in the yard.

III. Translate the Indonesian below into good English.
1. Pakailah sepatumu.
2. Jauhi narkoba.
3. Ambilkan jaketku.
4. Buka kaleng ini.
5. Jangan sentuh bahan kimia ini.
6. Jangan nakal.
7. Dengarkan gurumu.
8. Jangan ramai.
9. Amati gambar ini.
10. Lihatlah keluar jendela.

Soal-soal di atas akan membantu kalian dalam memahami pemakaian to be, auxiliary dan larangan.

Keep practicing, DEAR!

Upgrade your english to the next level

2010-08-23T10:22:00.004+07:00

English is not the second language in Indonesia. Since it is the third language people tend to give less priority except for those who were born to be talented at it or when they are forced to learn it as a prerequisite to get a job.

Since English is not our mother tongue most people speak English only for the sake of being understandable by others. No wonder if people often ignore grammar, tenses, pronunciation-some other aspects of what so called as good English.
It is reasonable if people make mistakes in English because they are not its native but it is not a reason to always make it wrong if we can upgrade our English.

The first level of English might be knowing some words. The next level is combining words to words, then make it fluent in speaking, and then they use this last level to communicate.
Usually people are satisfied or proud enough to be at the last level mentioned. Speed is their goal. They do not want to continue to the higher level that actually covers some aspects that lead them to at least better English.

Once, I got a chance to work on a thesis for my S1 degree. It might not what a teacher training education department student should have taken for classroom action research is required, it is beneficial for all English learners though.

Do you know what good English is according to English native? Do you know what native speakers' mind about the common Indonesian English speaking? Do you know what should an English speaker do to be good at English? Do you know why in college we are taught about pronunciation?

The questions above all is answered by my research. And here, I quoted some of which. Hopes it opens your mind to upgrade your English to the next level. Don't feel satisfied with the English you've got.

"It can not be avoided that learning other languages is hard to do since there are some different aspects that do not exist in their English learners’ mother tongue. Hence, it makes sense that English learners make mistakes in pronouncing the target language. In respond to the case that many people make mistakes in pronouncing English words, it is necessary to know what native speakers’ opinions toward Indonesians’ English and what good English are.

Through questionnaires that were given to seven native speakers who have lived in Indonesia for some time (see appendix 1), it is found out that Indonesians’ English are understandable by English natives, however, there are some features need to work by English learners to gain proper pronunciation. ”Good pronunciation is about having accurate segmental and suprasegmental (intonation) skills” (Barret, 2008).

People rarely know that segmental features have crucial parts to make English understandable and to be considered as correct pronunciations. Those crucial features are th, sh, b, p, d, t, f, ph, v, r, final z, and vowel sounds. When people make mistakes in pronouncing them, English native speakers might get confused and misunderstand toward what actual message people want to deliver. In spite of the English is understandable, English native speakers need time to get the meaning.

Another aspect as a requirement of good English is suprasegmental features that include intonation, flow, and word stress. If the stress is incorrect, not only can speech be difficult to understand but the meaning can change. Besides, English learners in Indonesia are also less awareness of proper tenses. Simple grammar is often overlooked in favor of learning more advanced vocabularies, grammar etc. Knowledge of the language can be very advance but often using the basic forms is a problem.

The mistakes mentioned by the English native speakers above are hardly found in the speaking of people who started learning English since young age by using authentic materials. And this circumstance is exposed in this research with a hope that people are motivated to learn English as early as possible, particularly since young age by using authentic sources, so they will be able to speak English properly."

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR ENGLISH

ASKING AND GIVING INFORMATION

2010-08-05T11:12:00.003+07:00

PART OF SPEECH

Part of speech takes an important part in making good grammar of English. Acknowledging this will benefit us to distinguish the use of to be, auxiliary and modal. Before we go further to

INTRODUCING SOMEONE

2010-08-04T11:28:00.004+07:00

EXPRESSIONS USED TO INTRODUCE SOMEONE

In our daily lives it is really possible to always get someone new whether we get him or her ourselves or get him or her introduced by the other.Below is some common expressions when we want to introduce someone to other person.

Have you met....before? (Sudah kenal....belum?)
Hey, I’d like you to meet… (Saya ingin memperkenalkan kamu pada....)
Please meet my friend… (Kenalkan, teman saya....)
Andy, this is Martha. (Andy, ini Martha)
Martha, this Andy. (Martha, ini Andy)

Speaking Practice 1
Carol and Amy are window shopping in a mall. Carol sees her friend, Tania there. They then have a chat. Carol introduce Tania to Amy.
Carol : Tania! I’m glad to see you here. It’s been a while.
Tania : Yeah…I miss you. How’s life?
Carol : I’m studying at SMP 1 JETIS now. What about you?
Tania : I’m studying out of town. It’s sad that we can’t be together anymore.
Carol : But, we can still keep in touch, right?
Tania : You’re right.
Carol : By the way, please meet my friend, Amy. Amy this is Tania. Tania, this is Amy.
Tania : Hello, Amy! Nice to meet you.
Amy : Nice to meet you.
Tania : Hey, you know it is nice to see you here but I’m with my sister here. I’m sure she’s waiting for me now.
Carol : No worries. We’ll go on seeing the clothes then.
Tania : Ok, see you.
Carol : Take care

Speaking Practice 2
Nancy hears a cat meowing. She wonders whose cat is that. She asks her sister Diana to take her to where the cat is. Diana takes Nancy to Denny, the owner of the cat and get introduced her sister to Denny.
Diana : Hey, what are you doing, Denny.
Denny: Hi, Girls! I’m feeding my cat. What takes you here?
Diana : My sister wants to see you your cat. Oh yeah, Denny. This is Diana, my sister.
Denny : Hi, Nancy. Nice to meet you.
Nancy : Me too. I’m sorry for disturbing you but I really like cats.
Denny: Really? Do you have some at home?
Nancy : Unfortunately not. My father does not allow me to keep one.
Diana : You know, our father is a doctor. He is afraid cats will bring some diseases at home.
Denny : Oh…I get it. Yeah…that’s right if we don’t take care of it well. But, don’t worry, Nancy. Just come here if you want to. You can play with my cat.
Nancy : Are you kidding? That would be great.
Diana : Okay, time to go. We have some home work remember, Nancy?
Nancy : Oh yeah! I’ll see you again some time.
Denny : You are welcome.
Nancy and Diana: Bye…

From the speaking practice above you can determine the greeting and parting. You also see that small talk will take place after the greeting.Small talk is an unimportant talk in order to make the meeting warmer and make us closer to the speaker we are talking to, then the we can go to the main idea of what we want to talk about.

There is something to remember about parting. Before we say goodbye it's better to give the reason why we leave. If you are about to go to school you may say: "I'm sorry, it's nice to talk to you but I have to go, my class starts at 7." Tell something related to what you are about to do as the reason of leaving, then you can say "goodbye/ see you/ take care etc."

2010-07-28T08:56:00.000+07:00

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Mental Math

2010-07-28T08:05:00.000+07:00

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Exercise: Grade 7/ smstr 1

2010-07-22T08:04:00.004+07:00

I. Fill the blank of the dialogues below with the suitable expressions available.
Diana : Hi, Maria…………………………………………………………….(1)?
Maria : Oh, hi Diana! I’m good. How’s with you?
Diana : …………………………………………………………………………(2)
Maria : Where are you going anyway?
Diana : My mom asked me to buy some fruits. What about you?
Maria : I just take a walk. I have nothing to do at home.
Diana : Would you like to join me?
Maria : I’d like to, but…………………………………………………………….(3). I’m afraid that my mother is worrying me.
Diana : Okay then, ……………………………………………………………(4). See you!
Maria : ………………………………………………………(5)

A. Where have you been?
B. It’s very kind of you.
C. What’s up!
D. I’ve been a while out here.
E. Quite good.
F. No.
G. Take care

II. Fill the blank of the dialogues with the suitable expressions below:
It is 7 p.m. Andrea goes to a cinema with his brother Dicks. At the cinema he meets Brenda who also wants to watch a movie, but she watches that in different theater (room).
Andrea : Hi, Dicks. ………………………………………………………………………………….(1)!
Brenda : Hi, Brenda. Good evening! What are you doing here?
Andrea : I’m going to watch a movie. I’m with my brother. …………………………………………………(2)?
Brenda : No, I don’t think so.
Andrea : Well Brenda, meet my brother, Dicks.
Brenda : Hi, Dicks. I’m Andrea’s classmate. ……………………………………………………………………………(3)
Dicks : Nice to meet you too.
(Suddenly there is an announcement that the movie will start soon)
Andrea : Oh we have to go now. …………………………………………………(4)
Brenda : Okay, mine will start 10 minutes again.
Andrea : See you tomorrow.
Brenda : See you. ………………………………………………………………………………………(5).

a. Have you met him before?
b. Good night.
c. Nice to see you.
d. Good evening.
e. Do you see my brother
f. Our movie starts soon.
g. Have a nice movie.
h. Nice to meet you

2010-07-19T09:03:00.004+07:00

Holla!

Selamat datang di "English Online". Di sini kalian bisa mendapatkan materi bahasa Inggris untuk memperkaya pengetahuan yang telah kalian dapatkan di kelas.

LET'S START WITH SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE"

Simple Present Tense digunakan untuk menunjukkan kegiatan yang terjadi sehari-hari atau daily activities, kebenaran umun (general truth) dan kegitan yang terjadi berulang-ulang (regular activities).

HINTS:
Ada hal yang menjadi ciri Simple Present:
1. Pada Subject (He, she, it)kata kerja atau Verb akan ditambahkan "s" atau "es".
2. Pada subjet (They, we, I, you) kata kearja tidak mendapatkan penambahan apapun.

Dari gambar di atas kita bisa membuat ebuah cerita dengan menggunakan "SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE". Please...you try!

Listen to My Radio!

2010-07-17T11:12:00.003+07:00

Hi, JETSETTERS!

Haha... I think you will get used to this greeting from SMPN 1 Jetis students. This academic year, they have a new extracurricular program of a Radio Broadcast.

It's been a while actually for SMP Jetis to have a Radio station but it was inactive due to some complaints from the people around that the network distract the TV and other wave or signals.However, we did some efforts lately to improve the quality that the previous problems will not happen again.

This can be a medium for the students who are talented in speaking, writing, and journalistic stuff. From the day the radio crew recruitment announced, many students have applied and they seem to be so curious to join this agenda.

Making plan of what the radio should bring is another hard case to solve. Since the radio takes part in promoting the school itself, it needs to be fun still. So, the Jetsetters can can listen to the news, fresh music, and at last but not least "JAVANESE SCENE" because of the "TRILINGUAL" here.

Okay, from now on, every Friday and Saturday listen to the Cheerful voice of "JET ONE RADIO" DJs!

Stay tune!

Welcome Back to School

2010-07-17T09:37:00.004+07:00

Times has moved so fast that we all have to end our two week holiday. Time to be back to school!

Well, we might feel reluctant still to again deal with the school subjects. Yeah, holiday seems to be so hard to leave that its memories are hanging around our head. I could see my students are just yawning during the class and less energetic. It will turn out to be homework for the teachers to make them spirit full. And I guess it will be hard for me to do!

Teaching is always such a never ending teaching method discovery. Every new academic season, we need to observe what kinds of students we will have next that they must be different from our previous students. Our lesson plan before will possibly not be suitable with the new students anymore. Hence, the teachers are required to be creative and fast in finding solutions.

The above circumstance does show us something actually, that the jobs of teachers are really difficult. They must act some characters at once, being a good model (to be a figure for the students), a script writer (making lesson plan), a director (think and arrange what to do in teaching), and an entertainer (to make students enjoy full with the material given). Teachers are perfects characters, I would say.

Knowing the hard work above, tolerating teachers are necessary because it is always found that some teachers are late, monotonous, and even easily lost temper sometimes. Yet, the hope that teaching learning will always be in harmony and they can get a long with the students are still raised up. We do understand that whatever the problem among the teachers and students are, the teaching learning process must go on.

2010-07-01T10:17:00.001+07:00

What the Workshop is for?

2010-07-01T08:56:00.004+07:00

Sitting, listening to the speaker, and getting bored are some common feelings when we join a workshop, including the workshop I am in this time.

The first day was about making flash animation that I completely new about it. Too many steps that made me hard to redo from the start after the instructor finish explaining. I am considerably young here and I got stuck with it. What about the other teachers who are fifty above?
Day by day, I feel even more reluctant to join the workshop. Moreover it will last for five days!

I just try to commit to a wise saying "Nothing to Lose", though I feel enough but I believe there's something I can take here. And that's true. The second day I got Mailing List, well I need it.
Then I finally came to the session I like. Ye...Making Blog!

I did have fun yesterday, trying something new. I posted my blog in my facebook. Now, I am, again having some other tips to make my blog more interesting.

What I have shared above is actually has something to do with other things. Have you ever felt so bored about your life that you want to escape or give up from it? Sometimes we don't have other choices but to face and do it. But, just believe it. Sooner or later, it is over and you can taste something sweet from it just like what's going on me now.

The workshop might be taking time and having boring lines but I guess I'll miss it since today is the last day.

A Fun Way to English

2010-06-30T14:04:00.005+07:00

Comic is a good way to start learning English. The pictures help you understand the conversation.

Fill Your Life with English

2010-06-30T10:28:00.000+07:00

I like writing in English. Thus most of my FB status or when I send an sms I use English. I just think that it can enhance my creativity and ability at English. Many comments such as: "English again?!" But, I don't care and keep on going.

What things that actually make people afraid of and stay away from English? When you get your mobile phone the navigation will use English, there will be some other languages though. When you face your computer, absolutely you'll meet English. Simply, I can say that English is needed everywhere and anywhere we go? It's impossible not to "involved" with English. So, why don't we try to approach it?

Just get yourself familiar with it. English songs and movies will help you a lot in loving English. Get start filling your life with English!

My FIrst Blog

2010-06-30T10:03:00.001+07:00

Writing is one of my hobbies. Since the internet spread here and there I was inspired to write my own. I like reading somebody's blog and really want to have mine too. But, I just don't know how!

It's actually a two week school holiday after the final exam at my working place. In fact, all of the teachers here must engage with E-Learning workshop for five days. What a day! I thought!
And, yes! For three days I was just there listening to the speaker, doing what he instructed to me, my mind was flying somewhere thou. I planned to go to Kediri, to have fun. I've been really waiting for my holiday but the workshop has made me stay!

When I was home I thought what the next material for tomorrow was about. And "That yesterday" has become today. Now, I'm sitting on my chair, ready for the boring speech. But, what a surprise! The workshop i's about making blog! IT'S MINE! I thought!

So, here I am, with my first writing on my BLOG.