English Learning Materials Research Articles

Microblog: An Interactive Learning Media for Learning English

This research intended to design a Microblog on Instagram as interactive learning media to learn the descriptive text for Grade 7. The media designed to assist students comprehend in English learning, especially descriptive text. This research was conducted at SMP Negeri 16 Tanjungpinang for the academic year 2021/2022 on class VII E, which consisted of 38 students. This research was Research and Development (R&D). The development model was Thiagarajan model which are 4D (Define, Design, Develop, and Disseminate). Moreover, this research was limited to Develop stage. The instrument to collect the data was several questionnaires which consist of validation questionnaire and student practicality questionnaire. The results of data analysis revealed that the score of media validation is 86% with "very good/very valid" and the score of material validation is 90% with "very good/very valid". Thus, the score of the media trial to observe the practicality of the media is 80% with "practical". The Microblog on Instagram as Interactive Learning Media was valid and proper to use for learning and advantageous for students to comprehend English learning materials, especially on descriptive text.

THE ROLE OF USING IG AND YOUTUBE AS MEDIA TO EXPLORE THE ENGLISH ABILITY OF AKBID BY BUNDA HUSADA BUNDA HUSADA STUDENTS

This study aimed to determine the role of Instagram and Youtube in exploring English skills for Akbid Karya Bunda Husada students. This research is qualitative. They use interview data collection techniques from 25 Akbid Karya Bunda Husada student informants in one class group. The study's results stated that; 1) Instagram and Youtube contain content containing interesting English learning materials in the form of videos, images, and writings. Instagram and Youtube support the student learning process more fun and contribute to encouraging students' interest in learning; 2) The majority of students' perceptions say they strongly agree that Instagram and Youtube as interesting media are used in English learning. Not only used to collect material, Instagram and Youtube have become media for students to pour their creativity, skills, and English skills through assignment projects from lecturers; 3) students of Akbid Karya Bunda Husada need English to be able to compete in the era of globalization related to their skills, such as communicating, reading English literature, adding insight into discoveries, improving service, and the opportunity to get a good career.

WHAT DO LAW STUDENTS NEED AND WHAT PROBLEMS THEY EXPERIENCED IN LEARNING ENGLISH? INSIGHT FROM STUDENTS AND ALUMNI

Many scholars addressed how English was essential to master in many fields. However, few scholars addressed what content of English was required by significant law students. This article, therefore, proposes a little investigation: the problem encountered by law students in mastering English, the basic skills, and materials considered fundamental to be taught in the learning process. Descriptive quantitative was applied to gather the data. Seven-four second-semester students and alums majoring in Law were taken as samples. The researchers collected the data and analyzed them using Microsoft Excel. The findings of the first research question revealed that listening was the most difficult skill to be perceived by the students majoring in Law. Moreover, the finding of the second research question claimed that speaking was assumed as the most necessary skill to be taught. Furthermore, formal and informal English languages were expected to be involved in English learning materials. By looking at the findings of this research, the practitioners can be used as a reference for the betterment of designing materials for Law students. The study implies that students frequently encounter the essential skills and materials to be taught.

Vocabulary introduction about word classes for Al-Islah Islamic Kindergarten teachers, Sukoharjo

The community service program was carried out with encouragement to improve the ability and understanding of word classes in English for kindergarten teachers, especially TKIT Al-Islah, Jombor Village, Mojolaban District, Sukoharjo. The material presented consists of pronoun, verb, adjective, noun, and adverb. Service activities in the form of this training begin with pretest questions and end with post tests. The evaluation showed an increase in word classes knowledge in English where the pretest results were 72 to 90 during the posttest. Thus, it is expected that teachers can develop English learning materials by utilizing their word classes knowledge.

Digital technology implementation towards English e-modul at engineering department in State Polytechnic of Bali

Technology utilization in English learning instruction has been a significant tool to increase the learners’ ability and comprehension in Polytechnic education. However, the absence of systematic and suitable digital English learning materials frequently impacts the decrease of students' urge in learning the lesson. This study aims to establish s systematic digital learning material suitable for the engineering department students at the Polytechnic State of Bali. This research applied the qualitative method which explained the students’ arguments for the use of e-module in the English lesson. The unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) was used to analyze the data obtained from the students. The learners opined that the e-module provided important media which significantly escalate comprehension and eagerness of the English language. Although this e-module was beneficial, the urgency of generating the learning materials towards offline and online instruction ought to be conducted.

English for Homestay Tourism: Barriers and Needs of Entrepreneurs in Rural Community of Thailand

Nowadays English language has become a medium of communication and is used as a lingua franca by native and non-native speakers including in homestay tourism. Therefore, this qualitative research investigates the barriers and needs of English for homestay entrepreneurs in a rural community, in Phetchabun province, Thailand. The samples were 15 key informants selected by purposive sampling. They are homestay entrepreneurs in Baan Saliang Haeng 3, Khao Kho District, Phetchabun province that has obtained the Thai homestay standard evaluation. Participant observation and in-depth interviews were employed for data collection and the data were analyzed by thematic analysis. The findings reveal two main issues: i) the limitations and barriers of using English for communication with international visitors and ii) Needs for English skills development for homestay entrepreneurs. The key limitations of the homestay owners are their educational background. Most of them graduated from primary and secondary school as well as they do not use English in their daily life. As a result, they lack knowledge of English vocabulary and are not able to construct English sentences. In terms of the need for English improvement, most homestay entrepreneurs need English learning materials that are in bilingual version (Thai – English) with Thai language reading and meaning such as a booklet with the contents of greetings, room explanation, room rate, room facilities, amenities explanation, and tour itinerary of the community which they can learn by themselves.

Peningkatan Kompetensi Guru SMP Mata Pelajaran Bahasa Inggris di Jakarta Barat

The purpose of this activity is to provide additional insight to teachers to meet the competency standards as professional teachers set by the government. Indonesian teachers can signify professional teachers if they require all 10 teacher competencies. The two qualifications they need to acquire are education and training and being able to plan and conduct the learning process according to their expertise. Abdimas team of Post Graduate Program Indraprasta University works hand in hand with the Center for Competency Development for Education and Vocational Educators of West Jakarta (P2KPTK2 Jakarta Barat) supporting the teachers to realize their goals of being professional teachers by accommodating an activity of short training in the pedagogic matter, especially in the difference of students characters as a basis for designing a lesson along with enrichment of English learning materials for junior high school level. The method used in this event is observation as well as the discussion with the teachers and P2KPTK2 concerning their needs in the topics mentioned. As a result of this online activity, teachers were very enthusiastic: this can be seen from the post-test score which was better than the pre-test score. Participants also hope that similar activities can be conducted on an ongoing basis as an update of their pedagogic and English skills.

Learning Life Skills through English Materials: Integrating Life Skills in English Pedagogy

John Dewey once said that “education is not an affair of ‘telling’ and being told, but an active and constructive process.” Accordingly, pedagogical processes should not simply be conducted by traditional lecturing, but rather, they should be constructive processes that gradually build the meaning-making process of the children through their active participation. Therefore, this paper aims to suggest materials that integrate English learning and LSE that are specifically designed for Indonesian children. As a follow-up project from the previous program, the current community service focuses on the implementation of life skills education (LSE) by integrating LSE with English learning in non-formal educational institutions in Malang, East Indonesia with Taman Bacaan Masyarakat (TBM) Wacan as a partner. In doing so, the community service program conducted three phases of activities: planning, implementation, and evaluation in collaboration with Taman Bacaan Masyarakat Wacan and student volunteers. As a result, the community service has mapped out fourteen English materials units, which were embedded into LSE. The units have four major themes, namely, self-awareness and self-esteem, inter- and intrapersonal skill, problem-solving, and time and conflict management. Each of the major themes was then explored, emphasized in units that focused on different purposes and tried to evaluate whether the material fit the children’s context or needed more adjustment. However, due to limited time and resources, only one unit of materials was tried out to identify its usability and its flexibility. Based on the findings, it is recommended that English learning materials can be integrated with LSE to not only improve the children’s performance in using the language but also their broader life skills in this competitive era.

INTEGRATING ISLAMIC VALUES INTO ENGLISH MATERIALS

This study aims to determine students’ needs in learning materials by integrating Islamic values into English. This study used quantitative method. The participants were eighth-grade students, consisting of 29 students. This study employed a close-ended questionnaire divided into three sections: organization of the learning material, learning content, and learners' characteristics. Data were analyzed using quantitative data analysis techniques. The results indicated that there are three characteristics of the students' needs. They were the organization materials, the content materials, and learners’ characteristics. In the organization materials, most of the students needed the instructional objectives in English learning materials. Regarding the content materials, the students wanted the virtue of studying, helping parents, and environment as learning topics by integrating them with Islamic values. For the learners’ learning characteristics, they preferred the visual learning style.

Developing Communicative and Web Based-English Syllabus for Economics and Business Students

Although the English lecturers have created an English syllabus since they started to teach English based on Higher Education Curriculum, it still needs to cover the needs of economic students. This research aimed: 1) to determine the needs of English learning materials (e.g., English skills, English sub-skills, and topic and themes), develop the learning objectives of communicative and WEB based-English syllabus, and 2) measure the eligibility of communicative and WEB-Based English syllabus for students of Economics. This research was designed as a developmental research that involved thirty-three economic students, four English lecturers, four alumni, and two stakeholders. This research data was gathered from a set questionnaire, interview, and documentation. The results of this research revealed that the students of Economics need integrated English language skills. Then, the communicative approach used in designing the communicative syllabus focuses on communication as the organizing principle for teaching rather than mastering the grammatical structure. Moreover, from the experts' perspective, the communicative and WEB Based English Syllabus eligibility was in a very good category (97.08%). Students could use this developed syllabus to improve their English proficiency. It could optimally solve the problems of a non-existent English course syllabus for economics students' qualification to compete for jobs, the global market, and the ASEAN Economics Community. In conclusion, economic students need English learning syllabus and materials related to their disciplines, and the developed communicative and WEB-based syllabus has been suitable for the economic students' needs in improving their English proficiency.

Development of learning materials for English Engineering Course: ESP (English for Specific Purpose) with a Functional Contextualism Approach for Mechanical Engineering students of South Aceh Polytechnic

The students of mechanical engineering at vocational college must be able to communicate in English, both written and spoken, using the specific term related to their department, and need to learn vocabulary with the integration of technology to confront the world of work. The study aimed to develop the English learning materials for specific purposes specifically for mechanical engineering students through functional contextualism approach. The study employed the qualitative descriptive method. The subjects of this study were English lecturers and mechanical engineering students of the South Aceh Polytechnic in grades II. The data were collected by interviews, observations, and questionnaires. Data analysis with data classification, transcription, verification, and conclusions. The results of the study showed that development of English language teaching materials for mechanical engineering study programs based on the ESP and functional contextualism approach includes in the form of textual development packages, namely (1) textbooks (2) lecturer guides and (3) student guides. The purpose of the development is that learners can improve the quality of their learning outcomes in English Engineering and use them in the workplace (market place). In other words, the material also develop based on the context of their surroundings, like integrated approaches, functional contextualism blends sociocultural and historical context, but with the pragmatic and scientific aims of behaviour analysis. In addition to taught and constructed learning, functional contextualists suggest functional change in meaning is the process of recontextualization.

A Canonical Correlation Analysis: Learning Preferences and Sensory-Specific English Learning Material Stimuli

The study investigated the relationship between sensory-specific English learning material stimuli and sensory learning preferences. The study involved 53 English as a foreign language participants. Participants were provided with different sensory-specific English learning material stimuli to analyse their overall comprehension. A canonical correlation analysis was used to analyse the collected data statistically. Auditory learning preference was significantly related to adaptive English learning stimuli (paper texts with sound, images with captions, and sound with images). The canonical correlation coefficient of .665 indicated 44.2% of the variance in English learning was determined by learners with auditory learning preferences and adaptive learning materials.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLY SYNCHRONOUS-BASED E-LEARNING FOR EFL CLASSES AT THE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY

This study aims to develop e-learning and adapt the system to the needs of learning English. In addition, e-learning which can be used as asynchronous learning media can be integrated into learning media commonly used for synchronous learning also. So that all learning processes can be monitored and disciplined. In addition, the achievement of competence in learning English can be exceeded maximally. This research used the research and development (R&D) method with the ADDIE model. In this method, the researcher uses a descriptive quantitative approach. The assessment instruments used were test scores, interviews, observations, and interviews. The parties involved in this research were English lecturers, students, online learning media experts, and English learning material experts.

A Conceptual Model of Culture-Based English Learning Materials in Indonesia

The purpose of this research was to create a culture-based English learning model for use in junior high schools. This study was part of a larger research project that used a research and development (R&D) design. In the first year, the project aims to create a conceptual model of culture-based English learning materials. This study was conducted at Muhammadiyah 1 Junior High School in Ponorogo, East Java province, Indonesia. Muhammadiyah is one of the biggest Islamic non-governmental organizations in Indonesia. We chose this school due to its easy access and low motivation levels of its students in learning English. Sample selection was conducted using a multi-stage sampling technique. The data were collected using questionnaires, document analysis, and interviews, and triangulated using expert judgment. The results of the data analysis led to the production of a conceptual model of English learning material which contains core competencies, basic competencies, themes, or materials of English for junior high school students. The result of the interviews with the students and teachers during need analysis indicated that it is necessary to include local culture in English learning materials to increase students’ engagement and knowledge about their culture. The results of the product try-out showed that students are motivated because they are familiar with the culture-based learning materials. As such, this conceptual model will be the basis to develop similar modules of English learning materials for junior high school students.

Enhancing English learning materials with data-driven learning: a mixed-methods study of task motivation

ABSTRACT The purpose of the present mixed methods study was to investigate if enhancing Focus on Form (FonF) tasks with data-driven learning (DDL) affects English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners’ task motivation from the self-determination theory (SDT) perspective. Following a quasi-experimental comparison group pretest-posttest and sequential explanatory mixed methods designs, 76 female English-major university students were randomly assigned to comparison and intervention groups and exposed to the control and treatment, respectively. The control involved completing 15 non-DDL tasks, whereas the treatment was completing 15 DDL-enhanced tasks over a month. The results of a task motivation questionnaire and semi-structured interviews showed that DDL-enhanced tasks increase learners’ task motivation from the SDT perspective. In other words, enhancing FonF tasks with DDL leads to more self-determined motivation to perform English tasks. That is, discovery learning which is a kind of self-regulated learning, along with awareness raising, in tasks with authentic language data where the primary attention is on meaning, tends to promote learners’ agency, and result in more motivation to learn English. This kind of motivation which seems to be the result of increased achievement in English language skills, autonomous language learning, association with others, internal reward, and usefulness, is most influential, as it is self-determined.

OPTIMALISASI KOMPETENSI BERBAHASA INGGRIS MELALUI PROGRAM PEMBELAJARAN BUSINESS ENGLISH BUAT SEKOLAH VOKASIONAL-ALMAKIYAH

<p><em>Vocational learning in Indonesia at the upper secondary level provides a large portion of improving English language skills. Besides being used as a compulsory subject/college in schools and universities, English lessons are studied in the context of vocational education to bridge the world of education with the needs of industry and the workforce on a national, multinational, and international scale. The high need for a competent workforce, which can be seen from the ability to speak English, presents a variety of specific subjects in line with this condition. The subject variant in question is business English or 'business English'. Referring to this condition and examining the need for vocational education, Community Service activities (ABDIMAS) are carried out with the theme 'Introduction to Business English'. ABDIMAS is held at the Almakiyah Vocational High School (SMK) in East Jakarta. ABDIMAS was carried out in response to the needs of partners who felt that the English learning materials did not meet the needs of students and graduates who were required to be absorbed in the world of work. ABDIMAS is carried out through three sessions of a hybrid online and offline enrichment program for students. Each session is taught about what aspects are included in business English and linguistic aspects commonly used in business and work contexts. This activity is oriented towards increasing the knowledge and insight of the participants regarding (i) business conversations, (ii) formal and informal expressions in business communication, (iii) basics of email writing. The activity ends with an evaluation that broadly shows that the activities are carried out in line with the work context so that they do not focus on the theoretical and implementation levels.</em></p>

PROGRAM “SITOGA” (SING, STORY, AND GAMES): PELATIHAN BAHASA INGGRIS BAGI GURU TK DESA SENAUNG KABUPATEN MUARO JAMBI

The purpose of this Community Service (PKM) activity is an effort to help teachers of the Jauharul Iman Kindergarten Senaung Village, Jambi Outer City District, Muaro Jambi Regency, Jambi Province, to find, create and apply English learning materials according to the age of the children. To achieve this goal, the PKM activity carried out is SITOGA (Sing, Story and Games) for kindergarten teachers. This activity takes place during the month of April to May 2022, where the first month is focused on deepening material on the principles of teaching English for Young Learners, introducing learning resources, and learning methods and techniques. The next second month becomes an opportunity for participants (kindergarten teachers) in making learning resources and implementing or practicing learning. The results of PKM activities include participants being able to understand theories of teaching English in kindergarten, teachers being able to recognize several English songs, combining songs and movements in English, making simple English teaching media, designing learning activities with fun activities, and getting to know and practice
 different types of games

Developing Reading E-Module Based on Langkat Sultanate History for English Department Study of STKIP Al-Maksum Langkat

Providing English learning material with developing reading E-Module Based on Langkat Sultanate History is important as English Department Study of STKIP Al-Maksum Langkat. This research aims to develop Reading e-Module Based on Langkat Sultanate History, to increase students’ awareness about Langkat Sultanate History and to promote local wisdom at Langkat District. This research is concerned with the development of an English reading e-Module for students of the English department study of STKIP Al-Maksum by applying the four phase Research and Development (R & D) proposed by Gall, Gall & Borg (2003). At the define stage, first, the author decides to create the requirements to create the e-Module following the need analysis. Furthermore, at the design stage, the author creates the initial design (prototype) e-Module. The results of the study show that the module that has been developed is valid, practical and effective. The validity of the module reaches a valid category based on the expert’s and validator’s evaluation. It is hoped that they will be able to continue to raise local culture or local wisdom in Indonesia as a learning module to preserve Indonesian culture for students.

Developing English learning material for grade 4 students

Background: A task of a teacher or an educator is to create a pleasant learning atmosphere or situation for students. This situation can be realized by doing fun learning by compiling fun teaching materials as well.
 Purpose: To overcome these problems, it is deemed necessary to renew the development of appropriate teaching materials.
 Design and methods: This research method is Research and Development (R&D). This research was conducted at SDN Ciomas 3 Bogor. The developing teaching materials for the English language module uses the research and development method of 4D learning tools which consists of 4 stages, namely define, design, develop, and disseminate. Data analysis techniques in this study used quantitative data and qualitative data. Qualitative data were obtained based on input, suggestions, assessments carried out by two experts, namely material and media experts, English teachers, and students. Then the quantitative data is based on a closed-ended questionnaire that has been compiled to determine the quality of the developed product, namely the English Language Module teaching materials.
 Results: The results of the product trial design were supervisors, material experts and media experts and the subjects tried 3 teachers and 38 students. the results of this study are the English Language Module for class IV which contains 5 material and has obtained very good quality based on the validation value of the material experts scored 69 or 92% from maximum value of 75, validating media experts with a score of 70 or 93% from a maximum value of 75 assessment by 3 teachers with a total score of 445 or 98.8% from a maximum value of 450, and the actual field trial for students with a total score of 1854 or 97.57% from a maximum value of 1900 with the results explained, the English module teaching materials are very suitable to be used as a supporting book for learning English in Grade IV Elementary School.

Developing Android-Based English Folktales Learning Materials to Develop Communication Skills of Primary School Students

Both teacher and students faced difficulties in teaching and learning English during remote learning and they need English learning materials which can be easily accessed during learning from home. This study aimed at developing android-based English Folktales learning materials to promote primary school students’ communication skills. This research applied Design and Development (D&D) method proposed by Richey and Klein (2007) which underwent four stages namely; 1) Analysis, 2) Design, 3) Development, and 4) Evaluation. The research subjects were an English teacher and sixth graders of SDN 1 Banjar Jawa in the academic year of 2020/2021, Bali. The research instruments used questionnaires and interview guide. The results showed that digital folktales application as the product was developed in the form of android package kit (APK) file using Microsoft Office Power Point, iSpring, and APK Builder Pro. It provided 9 Indonesian folktales and 8 follow-up learning activities. The product was tested and evaluated by a technology expert and an EFL learning expert. digital folktales application has an excellent quality as an android-based English learning material. Thus, the digital folktales application was beneficial for students and teacher as English learning material to develop communication skills.