Applying of English Teaching Materials based on HOTS to Support Students’ Understanding Concepts: Indonesia (Published)
This research aims to apply English teaching materials to improve students’ understanding of concepts in the learning process at SMA Negeri 10 Pandeglang in English subjects. Students feel bored more quickly and are dissatisfied with conventional delivery of material or assignments. By applying English teaching materials based on Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS), students can improve their language skills from the material provided by the teacher. This research used qualitative methods with the type of research used namely a qualitative descriptive approach. The research was conducted at SMA Negeri 10 Pandenglang. The research subject is Class X. The data collection technique used triangulation techniques (observation, interviews and documentation). From the results of research that researcher has conducted, it shows that students are more enthusiastic about implementing HOTS-based English teaching materials. They also do not feel that the learning provided will feel monotonous. And students also want HOTS-based teaching materials to be applied to English subjects so that students don’t feel bored when teachers provide materials that still use conventional methods and hope they can improve language skills in higher thinking processes.
Keywords: Education, English Language, HOTS, Teaching Materials
Language Instructors’ and Students’ Perspective on Large Class Size and What is the Best Technique Language Instructors Utilize to Prompt Learning Autonomy in Class (Published)
In this research, the author identifies the terms of large class size and learning autonomy. The authors exhibit the difference between both terms and explains clearly the idea of both terms. Moreover, the author shows how large class size is related to learning autonomy. The author will then elaborate on how these two terms complete each other. The Author chooses the story of an English teacher who teaches in Nigeria, who is exposed to a large class size confronting different conflicts during this year of teaching. In addition, the author shows how the English teacher overcame these problems and what solutions were chosen that helped to overcome the issue. The Author also exhibits the class size problems and the autonomy in different contexts of other teachers around the world and how they coped with it. He utilized other research papers to show how each teacher dealt with the problem of class size.As a matter of fact, the author shows how a large class size can affect the teaching in class and what solutions are made in order to overcome the large class size complexities. Furthermore, the research also shows the disadvantages of a large class size according to students’ points of view. It also clarifies how students are affected by large class size and how difficult could learning become in class.
Keywords: Education, Techniques, autonomy in different contexts, large class-size, learning autonomy
COVID-19 and Education in Oman (Published)
COVID-19 pandemic has swept through the world and brought about abrupt changes in every sector of life, including the area of ELT (English language teaching). This essay explores briefly from my humble point of view, as an in-service Omani cycle 2 English teacher, the impact of the current pandemic on ELT curriculum, teaching methods, and educational growth of teachers.
Keywords: COVID-19, ELT, Education, Oman
Improving Language Proficiency and General Knowledge: A Case for Free Voluntary Reading (Published)
Free voluntary reading is just as its name states. It is free reading; free in the sense that students chooses what material they want to read, choose to read or not to read and to report in class on the reading they have done or not. It is purely reading with no strings attached. This is a strategy voiced by Stephen Krashen and quite a good number of language educators have decided it is worth a short. Research reports support the assertion that those who read more do better in a wide variety of tests. They become better users of language and have a wider horizon of life. They are also reported to have a greater general knowledge. It is in view of these that this paper recommends FVR as a probable solution to the lamentably poor standard of English in schools and the general poor academic outcomes.
Keywords: Academic Outcome, Education, Knowledge, Language, Reading, Student
The Difficulties of Learning English As Perceived By a Group of International Students: A Case Study (Published)
This study investigated the challenges of learning English encountered by a group of international students while learning in an intensive English program at a large Midwestern American university. One tenet underpinning this study is that social learning plays a crucial role in L2 learning because it enables learners to be actively engaged in the language learning process. Twenty students (9 graduate and 11 undergraduate), were chosen randomly from the intensive English program to take part in this study. Their ages ranged between 19-26 years, and they came from different countries, including Saudi Arabia, China, Pakistan, India, Jordan, Ghana, Nigeria and Algeria. The study used information gathered by means of the qualitative research method of interviewing. The findings of the study showed that social interaction is one of the major difficulties confronting international students learning English. Difficulties in terms of oral production, comprehension, pronunciation and using the correct lexicon.
Keywords: Education, English, International student, Language, Learning