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.