Collaborative Study Improves Teachers’ Mastery of English Texts

This topic is chosen to be presented at Jeta seminar because the writer wants to share the result of her research and give the way how to improve the ability of teachers as one of the keys in distributing the knowledge of teaching English to the students. Collaborative study can promote the teacher’s mastery of English texts. To apply this method is not so `difficult. So she is interested in discussing about collaborative study as a method. The research is done in Postgraduate Program of English Education Ahmad Dahlan University Yogyakarta. The data are taken from several techniques including test, participant observation, in-depth interview, questionnaires, and document analysis. To analyze the quantitative data, the writer uses a descriptive statistics, comprising the following dimensions: highest, lowest scores and average score. To analyze the qualitative data she uses constant comparative method as suggested by Glasser (Babbie, 2004: 372). The findings reveal that the using of Collaborative Study is successful viewed from some dimensions. It can develop professional competence very effectively through all activities which are involved by all teachers as participants. It can raise self-awareness for professional development as individuals or as a member of a group intensively and significantly through the activities. It can develop the behavioral or personal competence effectively through authentic participation of the teachers in the personal and experiential relationship in the whole programs which implemented the principles of adult learning. It improves social competence significantly through the interaction and communication in the process of Collaboration. It can develop leadership competence and values by the rotation of taking turn in conducting the meetings. Key words: Collaborative Study, English Texts, Teachers’ Mastery

Task Based Learning and 101 WAYS Mastering ENGLISH

Publication of this book is based mainly on the results of a research at the teaching–learning process and aimed to improve the student reading skills significantly. In addition, the reader can easily obtain and share information through a book entitled "Task Based Learning and 101 Ways Mastering English". This book is expected to give the students both undergraduate and post graduate levels in improving the quality of English reading skills and reading comprehension easily and correctly. Besides that, this book consists of the helpful tips of mastering English at any level in various students’ skill. The beginner and advanced students are able to gain the benefit through reading and criticizing the whole parts of this book. The aim of reading comprehension is to help the readers develop a thoughtful and principled approach of reading books. In many cases, the English learner in general maximize and optimize the whole part of this book for any purposes. In other words that the English learner would be better to use this book for enriching and enhanching their capability of mastering English significantly. The learner can simultaneously master at least the two aspects, namely reading and writing. Therefore, many English language learners will be able to improve their skills in reading and understanding English in the wide range for their daily real need. The writer would like to express her gratitude to Dr. Kardimin for his help reviewing the manuscript and giving support to her; Sutarman, S.Pd. M.Hum, who assisted her in typing and to the Publisher in publishing it, and to all people who cannot be mentioned one by one for the help, so that this publication can be realized. Special thank goes to my lovely mother, husband, children, grandchildren, my friends and all staffs, and anyone who involved in the publication of this book. Hopefully, this book can be useful for the writer and the readers, as well as to provide assistance to overcome difficulties of reading books and texts written in English. In addition, it is expected that there is a sharing between the research’s results and the knowledge. May God always bless and bestow His Grace to us all, aamiin

Some Strategies for Good Cooperation in Collaboration

Ahmad Dahlan University as one of Muhammadiyah Universities in Indonesia, has the motto: Moral and Intellectual Integrity is heading the World University in cooperation and partnership with several universities in the world, among others, the University of Saint Anthony, Iriga City Philippines. On this occasion offers planning strategies to improve the quality of mutual cooperation. Collaboration and cooperation are woven in the form of a students’ exchange; lecturer’s exchange; academic exchange: joint research, seminars, workshops, international journal writing, and publishing along with the impact factor in the appropriate field of study at each university. Research funding and implementation of international activities are expected to be obtained from each state that is implementing activities. Keywords: Muhammadiyah, Moral and Intellectual Integrity, World Class University, Cooperation, Partnership, Strategies

Mixing Theories, Methods, and Approaches Used in Teaching Strategic Communication can Improve the Success of Student’s Learning (CAR in Communication Department SMMTC UUM

Mixing theories, methods, and approaches used in teaching Strategic Communication can improve the success of student’s learning. This is the result of class room action research (CAR) which was done in Communication Department SMMTC UUM during the period of February until July 2012. There was no good method in teaching – learning process but the using of mixing theories, methods, and approaches could improve the success of student’s learning. It can be seen from the result of the study. The writer took the initiative to teach how to act, communicate, and work to maximum in order to succeed as a qualified, fully alert, responsive, and workmanlike full with creativity and innovation. To determine the using of mixing theories, methods, and approaches in teaching – learning Strategic Communication was done because the lecturer saw the condition of the students who were passive and not enthusiastic in learning. They were not active, not creative, and always waiting for the instruction given. They tended to be individualism and no motivation at all. After applying some theories, methods, and approaches in the teaching – learning Strategic Communication, the students can become active, cooperative, creative, innovative and independent. This study used an experimental method to the design created with the needs of student-based learning, active students, administration tasks, habituation to actively communicate and cooperate. Qualitative methods were also used to collect data. The data were obtained through interviews, direct observation, and observation that were done from a list of questions posed to the students. Descriptive analysis and field notes were also used in this study. After going through the treatment in a study using mixing theories, methods, and approaches, a visible change of attitudes and habits of the students were more active and enthusiasm in learning. Students were smarter and smarter in the face of learning problems and answering questions. Class discussions could be run well with smooth and communicative. The students in the class were more spirit, creative, and professional. All tasks were collected on time and with a good answer which showed improved learning and reading. Students were courage to speak up and becoming qualified. They were not selfish and apathetic anymore. Key words: Mixing, CAR, Individualism, Qualitative, Field Notes

Evaluation of English on Sky 3 Textbook

This research evaluated the English on Sky 3 textbook used by Grade IX for Junior High School, which was evaluated by the ESL Teachers of the University of Saint Anthony Philippines. Specifically, it sought answers to the following questions: (1) What are the results of the teacher’s evaluation along: a) Content; b) objective; c) level of difficulty; d) illustration and lay out?; (2) What are the strength and weaknesses of the textbook? (3) What enhanced learning activities can be designed based on the results of evaluation? Based on the summary and findings of the study, the following conclusions were drawn: (1) The English on Sky 3 textbook used by the teacher and students was evaluated based on the standard/criteria on textbook evaluation on content majority of the ESL teachers rated the book as suited to the abilities of the students. As to the objective in writing the book it develops skills in the three learning domain. And along the level of difficulty the book presents clarity in the direction, concretized the concept presented and can be done or completed independently in pairs or in teams and lastly as to the illustration and layout the textbook presents the visual images further facilitate ease of understanding on the part of the learners or readers as majority of the students are visual learners. (2) The strengths are the positive points of the book as it adheres to the criteria on textbook evaluation as to content the book has a strong points on the following; the content are suited to the abilities of the students and the book is relevant to the subject while the weak points are on logical arrangement of the book. And the book activities moderately invite inquiry, curiosity and critical thinking and objectives are moderately consistent with the objectives. (3) The proposed Enhanced learning activities entitled “Enhanced Learning Activities in English” was crafted based on the weaknesses of the evaluated textbook “English on Sky 3” published by Erlangga. Keywords: Textbook, Textbook Evaluation, English on Sky

Conversational Drills in Look Ahead 2: An Analysis

This study examines conversational drills in look Ahead 2 an analysis, this study are revealed in the conversational drills in term of theme, values development, and culture. This is the relevance of the conversational drills to communicative competence of the learners. Analysis of textbook is one way to know the quality of textbook which is used in teaching and learning process. In teaching and learning process, textbook has an important role because of some reasons. First, the textbook is an important and functional book for students in school. The textbook has function to support and apply the curriculum, so it is designed and created based on the curriculum. Keywords: Conversation, Drill

Analysis of English Language Teaching Strategies: Basis for Interactive Teaching and Learning Activities

This study attempted to analyze the ELT strategies based on a documented classroom activity. Specifically, it sought answers to the following questions: (1) What are the ELT strategies utilized by the teacher in the video clip recorded by the researcher? (2) Are the ELT strategies consistent with the following criteria? (a) Physical involvement with language (b) Use of multiple media (c) Physical expression (d) Interaction with peers (e) Low-stress environment for language performance. (3) What Interactive Learning activities can be developed?. The study was guided by the following assumptions: (1) There are: ELT strategies utilized by the Indonesian teachers as shown in the recorded video clip. (2) Interactive ELT learning activities can be developed in ELT classroom. In the ELT strategies are consistent with the criteria used in the study. (3) Interactive learning activities can be developed. Keywords: English Language Teaching, Teaching Strategie

CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN THE SELECTED ENGLISH TEXTBOOKS IN INDONESIA

This study aims to determine the cultural diversity in Indonesian textbooks in English in senior high school. Specifically, this study sought answer to the following questions: 1) What types of culture are integrated in selected Indonesian textbooks?, 2) What elements of culture are featured in the English textbook?, 3) What supplementary materials may be produced to integrate culture with English textbook? This study assumed that: 1) There are different types of culture integrated in selected English textbooks. 2) There are elements of culture featured in English textbooks. 3) Supplementary materials shall be produced that may help culture be integrated in the textbook. This study was focused on the cultural diversity in selected Indonesian textbooks in English. This research was conducted by using quantitative descriptive and document review which are the primary tools in gathering data. Particularly content analysis of textbook. Keywords: Cultre Diversity, Elements of Culture, Types of Culture, English textbook

THE EFFECT OF LOCAL CULTURE-BASED MATERIAL TO READING ABILITY OF THE EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS OF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

The objectives of this study were to identify reading ability of students who were taught through local culture-based material, reading ability of students who were not taught through local culture-based material and to find out whether or not there is the significant effect of local culture-based material in improving reading ability of the eighth grade students of junior high school. The research was conducted at State Junior High School 9 Yogyakarta. This was an experimental research. The steps were pre-test, treatment and post- test. The data were collected by using multiple choice tests in form of pre-test and post- test. Then, data were analyzed by using descriptive analysis and inferential analysis. Based on descriptive analysis, the reading ability of the studentswho were taught by using local culture-based material were in good category with the mean of the group was 81.13. It is better than the students who were not taught using local culture-based material which the mean of the group was only 71.38. In line with it, the result of inferential analysis, showed by the result of ANCOVA with the probability value 0.000, it is lower than 0.05. Thus, H0 is rejected and H1 is accepted. It means that local culture-based material had significant effect in improving students’ reading ability. Keywords: Effectiveness, Local Culture-Based Material, Reading skil

THEMATIC ANALYSIS OF ONLINE SHORT STORIES IN CROSSING BOUNDARIES: NEW VOICES FROM INDONESIA

The study aimed to analyze the themes in online short stories in Crossing Boundaries: New Voices from Indonesia. Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions: (1) What are the thematic patterns in the short stories? (2) What literary devices and techniques are used to develop these themes? (3) What insights can be gleaned from this study in consonance with the objectives of the 2013 curriculum of Indonesia? (4) What teaching strategies and learning activities can be proposed? The study was delimited to the analysis of the themes of nine online short stories in the anthology. The analytical qualitative method was used to analyze the content of the short stories in order to extract the themes. Theme is the central topic in the story which is either implicit or explicit. The answer of problems was presented the analysis of themes, identified literary devices and techniques and the insights gained in one table so as to facilitate clearer view of readers on how the problems have been answered. Likewise, a proposed material with suggested teaching strategies and activities was developed. Keywords: Thematic Analysis, Online Short Stories, Literary Devices, Literary Technique