SPEC Quick Response (17th Up Date)

Firstly, we’d like to say “Happy Fasting” for all students and teachers of SMA N 1 Bukateja. In this holy Ramadhan, let’s improve ourselves – our life by doing useful activities. Both for ourselves and other people. Then, let’s forgive each other for the mistakes that we’ve done to start this holy Ramadhan. Hopefully, we can reach our “Fitrah” in the end of Ramadhan.

Happy Fasting

Ovita (vice president of SPEC, right) and Ika, her friend (left) would like to say "Happy Fasting" for all SPEC committee, SPEC members, and all Moslem around the world.

Sunday Morning #1

Sunday Morning #2

Sunday Morning #3

SPEC Quick Response (16th Up Date)

Since February 2008 SPEC has published more than 80 articles and photographs that describe SPEC’s activities and some information in SMA N 1 Bukateja. Tips and tricks also have been published to add knowledge and help teachers and students in improving English. But, some visitors are often “confuse” when they visit this blog to find tips and tricks because we have so many spread articles. So that why, in this edition we give you links to some tips, tricks, and motivation. Especially for teachers. So they don’t need to scan all articles or seek them one by one in our archive panel.
Links to our tips and tricks pages:

1. Fun English
2. Games
3. Grammar and Structure Excercise
4. Tips For Preparing English Test / TOEIC / TOEFL
5. Writing Material

Then, here, again and again, we want to remind all alumni of SPEC to come in SPEC 5th anniversary that will be held on November 8th, 2008. To all alumni, please contact Khadis via e-mail in rename_myheart@plasa.com or one46_junior@yahoo.com to get further information.

FACTS ABOUT LEARNING ENGLISH

(Recommended For: Teachers)

English as a language that recognized as international language is still considered as a difficult lesson by some students. So many ways and methods have been created by teachers to overcome students’ judgment about English. Teachers apply a game, make an English club, etc. That all are done to help students. Sometimes teachers also need to mix teaching methods to produce qualified result: students are able in English well. But, whatever the technique, without good and provocative motivation, students will keep not interested in English and this condition will make all methods, techniques, tips and tricks are useless. In fact, everyday, people talk about the importance of English in communication. Everyone conscious that without English, it’s impossible to follow globalization era, when all people communicate each other in different languages and from different places. In fact, to unity these differences, English as international language is absolutely needed. Because, only with mastering English we can do communication effectively while we can’t speak Germany, Spain, etc. for examples.

Some Facts:

1. Now, the problem is how to practice English while there’s opinion that if we don’t know the structure and grammar, we can’t speak at all? Actually, this opinion is wrong! The people who emphasize on structure and grammar only, they will never be able to speak. But now, the important thing is our bravery to make mistakes when we practice our English. By making mistakes, we know which sentence isn’t right. By making mistakes, other people will give the right solution. Don’t be shy! Don’t be afraid! And find out your partner to speak English everyday right now! The choice is in your hand. If you want to be able to speak in English, just be brave to practice about what you have known. Because, English is for all.
2. People born without language skill. We don’t know about what language we use. But, while time is running, we can use a language that we get from our environment. We understand about the language because we often listen to people who use that language and we practice it as our habit. If we live in a new environment, we feel strange with their language until we can adapt in the end. That just the same as our skill in English. We will be able to understand about English if we often use it. Generally, we learn English only at school and rarely use it in the daily life. We think that learn English just to get good mark. Out from that, we don’t need it. That is a wrong opinion that make our skill can’t get betterment. In fact, if we take a look at international world, we are included as a kind of people with a low English skill. Sound terrible? That’s right, but that’s the fact! The problem could be our culture. We are lazy, but we wish to get a lot. When we were at school, we learnt English. We learnt about the meaning of every word, how to make sentence, how to choose the right word, etc. But, have we ever thought about when and for what we use English? That’s all never been thought because we always think that English is not important, we don’t need it, and it’s difficult. But, if we think that English is important, we need it, and it’s fun, of course we will be able to use English well. We just need more practice and not lazy. Make English as our habit, like try to say it, listen to the English song, read book with the English as the main language, and get talk with your friends in English. English is just the same as math. More practice makes you better. Don’t be afraid to try!
3. Many countries around the world speak English as mother tongue. The others use English as the language of government, education, trade, tourism, entertainment, broadcasting, etc. There are so many variations about grammar, structure, spelling, and pronunciation. But, they are not a big problem as long as the English still can be understood by other English speakers. Really, you'll find the differences among American English speaker, British English speaker, Australian English speaker, etc. But, the style of your English is yours, whether you'll use American, British, Australian, Singaporean English, or other English style. Your style will show your culture too. Like in Australia, to say "How are you?", the people of Australia pronounce it as sound "Hawaya", not like we usually pronounce normally. So, although foreigners speak English everyday and every time, not all of them speak "correctly". Most of foreigners from different countries have different style, idiom, expressions, etc. So, let's take a conclusion that it doesn't matter to "mix" your English with your own styles in order to make you more comfortable in speaking English. But, don't too excessive. Because, in communication, English and or other languages also should be understood by the interlocutor. A language isn't only yours. English is also not only belongs to the English, but also belongs to world English speaking community around the world.
4. English is not only "a duty" that you must get good mark for it at school. But, English also "a measurement" of competitiveness. By mastering English we can take a part in international association, get more knowledge or information that come in English, and finally contribute something valuable to the world to show that Indonesian people also should be considered because of the ideas, works, and inventions. Means, again and again, English is very important. Difficulties such as tenses, a lot of vocabularies that should be memorized, etc. should be the secondary consideration. We should against "feeling difficult" in learning English to prepare ourselves to take a part in international association.
5. We often hear that the reason of the students learning English is because English regarded as international language and it's very important in globalization era. But it's a different case in some foreign countries where students have different reason in learning languages. Like in Australia, students learn languages to help them developing tolerance and respect to other cultures. It also encourages curiosity about the lives of people from diverse cultural background. That's different with us, right?
6. All people can learn new language easily. The ability of using new language isn’t only owned by genius man, or in the other words, all people are able. But, you must listen the language every day. Do you still remember when you learnt your mother tongue for the first time? Your mother didn’t teach you the language, did she? The answer is so simple: because you listen your mother tongue and use it in your daily, at home, at school, etc. Then, this process of learning a language called as “language achievement” (pemerolehan bahasa). As long as we listen to the language, the achievement will be got. That is the difference between learning language and learning other things.

SPEC Quick Response (15th Up Date)

Unbelievable!
That’s right, we screamed “unbelievable” when we found that a day after registration period for students to enroll in SPEC was closed, still there were so many students who wanted to join SPEC. The last day of registration period to join SPEC, we got 94 students. But, one day later we found that about 60 students wanted to join SPEC too. Thanks for the trust to join SPEC as a pleasure place (read: extracurricular) to study English.
Then, through today’s publication, we would like to invite all alumni of SPEC too, to come in 5th SPEC’s anniversary. The celebration will be held on November 8th, 2008 in SMA N 1 Bukateja. So, for all alumni in all around the world, please come and let’s celebrate our club’s birthday. The invitation letter will be sent maximally a week before the celebration. For further information, please feel free to contact Khadis (rename_myheart@plasa.com or one46_junior@yahoo.com).

Sense of Belonging

There are a lot of students who join an organization, even a student could join in some organization. Unfortunately 'join' is the best word which can describe it because they don't participate, the thing that have to be their responsibility while joining organization. They have a good idea about this, that their main purpose to be there is 'to school' so that they don't want to get a worse at school. They think that active in organization don't give any benefit and attending the activity just waste their time. All that things make they don't have any sense of belonging. Actually, the mistake also be taken by the committee that make them not interest to be active. We have to make the activities give any benefit and even so advantageous that could make them to keep coming in order to get the benefit as we have to remember that 'first time is important'. By active in activities could make them active in organization as well, even it is potential to build 'their sense of belonging'. The 'sense of belonging' is important to all member that make them feel that they are the owner of the organization and they have to give the best for it. If every people had have it, then the organization will easy to grow-up and being improved. The most important thing in organization is the member, so if we want to up-grade the organization, then we have to up-grade the member. And the best member is whose full of sense of belonging. (Article By: Shifa d' alumnus)

School or Organization?

Almost students are confuse about choosing between both of two above, ' School or Organization? '. The main purpose of the students and parents, of course is to school - to study at school. But students almost confuse when they are beginning to interest in an organization. You want to make your parents happy by getting good marks at school but you also want to improve your skill in organization which you think it is important to your future. You are like choosing between 'parents' and 'yourselves'. Actually, school and organization is not like a coin that you have to choose only one face. Both of them support and strengthen each other. You can school and join organization at the same time. Even, it can make the school better when you choose an organization which support your school, such as art community, English club, study club, research activity, etc. Another activity like scouting, nature lover, OSIS, are not disadvantages because it can develop your 'soft skill' which is needed until you have an occupation. While you are managing a project or research in a work or at school, you will be more confident and able to handle because your management had been improved in organization. So it has all benefit, to improve your 'hard skill' which is different for each organization and 'soft skill' which is provided by all organization. Don't be afraid that your mark will go down at school, because if you can manage your time effectively, then you can won't lose your time to study. So how do you manage your time? The answer is 'You will get the lesson in organization'. So don't be too much afraid at all. Join an organization and get the improvement, then. (Article By: Shifa d' alumnus)

Sunday Morning Logo

SUNDAY MORNING: SPEC MOST WANTED

Finally, SPEC successfully held Sunday Morning Activity again! With a theme “SPEC Most Wanted”, this program was held on August 10th 2008 to welcome the new members of SPEC. The activities were so various, but mostly were games. The new members were divided into 10 groups.

“The games are simple games such as jumbled words, guess what I do, etc. But, we want to play them as outdoor activities although they can be played in a room. Because, if we play that games in a room, they will not be too much different with a boring class. So, we try to move the games out of room and out of school yard.” Said Novita Widyatama, the Project Officer of Sunday Morning Activity.

In Sunday Morning Activity, we have 2 main session. They are wide game and art session. In wide game session, new members played games by moving from a post to other posts. Each post has one game that should be completed.

1. Post I
2. Post II
3. Post III (Jumbled Words post, where the new members should re-arrange jumbled words into the right order.)
4. Post IV (Elephant Necklace post, where the new members should make a necklace made from a piece of paper and the necklace should cover all members in the group.)
5. Post V (In this post, new members were asked to discuss a controversial topic given by the instructor. Here, they must give their opinion and arrange structured arguments a if they were facing a debating championship.)

After finishing all games new members and committee had a lunch together in the last post, Post V. Then, after lunch, they went back to school to complete another session: art session, where new members can show their ability in presenting a short drama, singing, etc.

The activity that began at 7 o’clock in the morning was closed at 3 pm. But, as Andi Alicia Fransiska (well known as Chika, the Program Manager of Sunday Morning Activity) said, that SPEC will never stop holding English activities to support students’ English development in SMA N 1 Bukateja.

“SPEC still has so many programs. Start from the end of this month (August) until January 2009, we have 4 agendas: preparing SPEC’s anniversary, English Night, speech and drama contest, and Hunting Tourist. So, we must work hardly. What a challenging job!” Chika said.

Studying, organizing an English club, and managing events (club’s activities) are superb combination, right?

SPEC Quick Response (14th Up Date)

It was so amazing when we opened registration for new students to join SPEC this year. Because, we found that 94 new students were so interested to join. What a great number! In fact, last year we only got for about 30 students! It means, the increasing of the amount of students who join SPEC will be a “homework” for the committee to be better. Better in organizing club, better in events. This year, we have a plan to hold "A Tourist Hunting Program" and any other outdoor activities. Then, With a great number of participants (members), hopefully can make SPEC better and get more achievement. Because, the students who join SPEC this year have good potential. Then, in our pages today, we have several information that maybe useful for you, especially for new students / new comers / new visitors / person which is this time is the first time to access this blog. We also have new tips for teachers to make students be active in speaking plus have fun. So, keep stay tune!

NOTE:
We'd like to say "Welcome to SPEC" to new members of SPEC listed below:

Class XA

1. Ganjar Hendriarto
2. Ali Prabowo
3. Riku Ridwan
4. Taruna Risky
5. Septiono
6. Indah Kartika Sari
7. Dwi Yogiyanti
8. Ema Susilowati
9. Arif Muamah W
10. Prisdiana
11. Hannan Faizal
12. Diyah Nur Aeni
13. Roro Kartika
14. Agus Sugiyanto
15. Andika Siwi P
16. Alfiatin
17. Nur Endah Larasati
18. Lia Anggraeni
19. Luisa
20. Sefina Nur A
21. Fist Fajar K

Class XB

1. Galank Angga P
2. Ganjar
3. Sri Srah
4. Linda Diana
5. Desi
6. Afriani
7. As'ad
8. Hasan
9. Uni
10. Nita
11. Yuda
12. Titi
13. Safika
14. Lili
15. Zahrotun Nisa
16. Dwi Susanti

Class XC

1. Revina Novanti
2. Wantia Hikmah
3. Nurjanah
4. Efiani Purwanti
5. Nur Rodliah
6. Bayu Sakti Wisnu
7. Diah Haryani
8. Dimas Bayu

Class XD

1. Tia Mardani
2. Wilda Nurul H
3. Apri Wulandari
4. Ayun Riana
5. Tri Fiatin
6. Febria Noor S
7. Nova R
8. Tuti Winarsih
9. Indriyani
10. Ita Tri R
11. Safitri Nur R
12. Feni Tri
13. Rizki Febrita
14. Achyat Nur

Class XE

1. Feri Prasetyo
2. Dita Nur Priyanti
3. Ary Luhviati
4. Indah Kurnia
5. Suci Nur Fauziah
6. Fikawati Nur Khabibah
7. Ika Mei
8. Istiyah
9. Tri Winarsih
10. Emi Afitri
11. Mutiara A P
12. Tridiyah Pratiwi

Class XF

1. Esti Sulistiyani
2. Dwi Septiani
3. Solikhatul M
4. Siska R
5. Ristika Oktavina
6. Atina Aulia F
7. Wiwit S
8. Mely M
9. Ria L W
10. Nur Endah
11. Nur Anisa
12. Fadilla N

Class XG

1. Indah Lestari
2. Dina Ayu Puspita Sari
3. Sadriyah Pratiwi
4. Uki Apriani
5. Aditia Rimadani
6. Bara G
7. Kristia Ningsih
8. Marliana Saputri
9. Pratiwi Yuli
10. Anisa Dwi Harfiah
11. Fandi Sudrajat

TONGUE TWISTER

(Recommended For: Teacher)

Let's invite the students to talk and have fun with this game. It's so simple. Ask the students to compete each other by saying sentences below quickly. How long can they pronounce the sentences well?
1. upper roller lower roller upper roller lower roller.
2. A sailor went to sea, to see what he could see. And all he could see was sea.
3. Betty bought butter but the butter was bitter, so Betty bought better butter to make the bitter butter better.
4. Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked. If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, where is the peck of of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?
It's easy, isn't it? But, be careful. Because the sentences are twisting enough your tongue!

HOW MANY “DO” CAN YOU WRITE?

"Recommended For: Mostly Student"

English is still as a language that is recognized as one of difficult lessons (for some students). But, actually, there are so many tips and tricks to make English easier than any other lessons. We have published several tips and tricks in previous editions. And now, new trick is coming to you:
1. Prepare a blank book
2. In page 1, write sentences that started with “Do”. For example: Do you live around here?, Do you like Mendoan?, Etc.Write as much as possible until the page full. You can divide your page into 2 columns: left and right columns.
3. In page 2, write sentences that started with “How”. For example: How many people are there here?, How is your family?, Etc.
4. In page 3, write sentences that started with “Can / could”. For example: Can I call you back later?, Can I take a message?, Etc.
5. In page 4, write sentences that started with “Will / would”. For example: Would you like to come to my birthday party?, Will he accompany her?, Etc.
6. You can make more criteria!