MIXED-ENGLISH PROFICIENCY CLASS: A REVIEW ON ISSUES AND STRATEGIES

The purpose of this paper is to illuminate some issues regarding mixed-English proficiency classes for English Language Teaching in the context of Teaching English as a Foreign Language. The existing literatures reveals that there are pros and contras of this class in the forms of ways in grouping the students which lead to students’ different learning styles and interest, and teachers’ teaching and learning materials and methodology. Indeed, this English heterogeneous type of class brings potential risks for the students’ achievement. This paper also proposes three most common Differentiated Instruction strategies to engage mixed-English students in EFL teaching and learning processes more effectively

Challenges and Strategies in Teaching English to Heterogeneous Classes: A Case Study

Heterogeneous classes, also known as mixed-ability classes, in English competency have been threatening to teachers of English at State Polytechnic of Sriwijaya. The effects of teaching English to the heterogeneous classes at Polytechnic of Sriwijaya have been a calling for this study to provide suggesting solutions for the English teachers in this institution. Using purposive sampling, there were eight teachers of English who participated in this study. They were grouped into teachers of English who taught in: (1) engineering departments; and (2) commerce departments. The collected data via individual semi-structured interviews and a focus group interview were analyzed using thematic analysis. The results revealed that there was frequency in the case of challenges like students’ different learning styles and interest, teaching and learning materials as well as its methodology in teaching the heterogeneous classes which, in turned, needed appropriate solutions. The most effective solutions in handling the heterogeneous classes in English learning were applying differentiated instructions, and appropriate classroom management. However, these solutions did not relate to the departments where the teachers of English placed. In fact, student-centered approach is the best strategy in this situation

STUDENTS’ MOTIVATION IN ONLINE LEARNING DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC ERA: A CASE STUDY

The purpose of this study is to illuminate the motivation of the students at English Department of Sriwijaya Polytechnics toward their online learning during the Covid-19 pandemic era. Due to sudden transformation from traditional face-to-face learning approach to remotely digital learning, some present studies revealed that students’ motivation in online learning was affected both intrinsically and extrinsically. Using snowball sampling, there were eight students participated in individual interviews and fourteen students in focus group interviews. The gained data from both interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. It was revealed that the students’ motivation toward their online learning was intrinsically affected more by their ambition to learn new knowledge and enjoyment in experiencing new learning method. It was also influenced extrinsically by external regulation and environmental condition. However, amotivation or the state of lack motivation also happened due to poor external supporting facilities

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R&D) METHOD AS A MODEL DESIGN IN EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH AND ITS ALTERNATIVES

The growth of educational research as one of scientific research has come to the state where the researchers in this field make their studies to generate a model for better educational practices. One of the most outstanding model designs is Research and Development (R&D) Method by Borg & Gall (1983), nevertheless, the widely use of this method prompts a question whether it is the only proper method in educational research.  This paper is aimed to discuss in depth the R&D Method in some educational research by comparing the simplified steps and characteristics in those research. This paper also provides some alternatives of model design for educational research in which the usage and its implementation are adjusted in accordance to the research context and researchers characteristics

Probiotics and Bioremediation

Increased environmental contamination leads to a progressive decline in environmental quality. Probiotics play a role as remediation agents which are expected to be able to help the host in responding to environmental changes. Probiotics are live microbial feed supplements that favorably affect host (humans, animals, plants) by increasing the balance of intestinal microbes. Probiotics are used in livestock/aquaculture to improve growth performance through improved utilization of nutrients, reducing disease, also developing the immune system. In addition to feed supplements, certain types of probiotics act as bioremediation or decomposing agents of hazardous substances. The bioremediation system is the use of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, yeast, and algae) or microbial products to degrade, reduce, or remove pollutants in the environment although in some cases plants are also utilized for this purpose called phytoremediation. When bioremediation occurs, enzymes produced by microorganisms modify toxic pollutants by changing the chemical structure of pollutants. This event is called biotransformation. In many cases, biotransformation leads to biodegradation, when toxic pollutants are degraded, the structure becomes simpler, and ultimately becomes harmless and non-toxic metabolites, that called mineralization

PELATIHAN PUBLIC RELATION OFFICER BAGI STAF KEHUMASAN SMA NEGERI SUMATERA SELATAN PALEMBANG

This collaboration community service of lecturers and students was aimed to provide Public Relations (PR) Officer training for the public relation staff at SMAN Sumatera Selatan, Palembang. As an internationally oriented educational institution, this senior high school requires reliable public relations staff. From the initial interview/survey, the problems faced by the school's public relations staff was a lack of knowledge and training in public relations services. The implementation of this community service was carried out for four months starting with an initial survey, counseling, service, mentoring and evaluation. The rationale for administering this public education program is the lecturers and students. The lecturers who involved were certified by the National Professional Certification Agency (Badan Nasional Sertifikasi Profesi/BNSP) and the students have taken PR courses. The results of training and mentoring show that the participants gained (1) knowledge in planning public relations programs to build good relations with the public and media, (2) ability to prepare presentations, events, seminars, conferences, workshops and meetings and document these activities, (3) capable of serving as master of ceremonies, and (4) conducting public relations research in exploring various options to build a good image for the institution. The output was a public relations handbook, final report and an articles published in local/national journals.This collaboration community service of lecturers and students was aimed to provide Public Relations (PR) Officer training for the public relation staff at SMAN Sumatera Selatan, Palembang. As an internationally oriented educational institution, this senior high school requires reliable public relations staff. From the initial interview/survey, the problems faced by the school's public relations staff was a lack of knowledge and training in public relations services. The implementation of this community service was carried out for four months starting with an initial survey, counseling, service, mentoring and evaluation. The rationale for administering this public education program is the lecturers and students. The lecturers who involved were certified by the National Professional Certification Agency (Badan Nasional Sertifikasi Profesi/BNSP) and the students have taken PR courses. The results of training and mentoring show that the participants gained (1) knowledge in planning public relations programs to build good relations with the public and media, (2) ability to prepare presentations, events, seminars, conferences, workshops and meetings and document these activities, (3) capable of serving as master of ceremonies, and (4) conducting public relations research in exploring various options to build a good image for the institution. The output was a public relations handbook, final report and an articles published in local/national journals.  

PENERAPAN METODE PENGAJARAN BAHASA INGGRIS MIXED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY LEVELS: PERSEPSI GURU

This research is to know teachers’ perceptions on methods of teaching English for classes with mixed-English proficiency students: primary, elementary, intermediate, and advance levels.  These methods were some differentiated instructions taught in training to teachers of English as a community service activity which conducted to the teachers of English at Lembaga Bahasa (LB) Bagus Palembang. In this training, the participants learned the methods because they did not get the knowledge in their pre-service teacher training. They only had teaching methods for classes with one level of English proficiency. After they completed the training, they were monitored during the methods application in order to find their perceptions on teaching such class. The data were gathered via observations in the class during the monitoring. The observation data were, then, matched to the data from semi-structured interviews to know the participants’ perception on the methods in their classes.  The research revealed that the methods were proven to increase students’ participation in class with notification to high proficiency ones. However, it was not possible to suggest other best practices for dealing with all students in that class because not all practices work in a mixed-English proficiency class

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO WRITING 1 SUBJECT FOR STUDENTS OF ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

This study focuses on integrating subjects in the area of hospitality industry with Writing 1 for students of English Department at higher Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET).  The integrating is necessary because language is taught for contextual communication not for the sake of the language itself.  The objective of this study is to combine hospitality industry subjects such as House Keeping, Hotel Management, with the purpose of Writing 1 and it is called interdisciplinary learning. To reach the objective, mix method is used. Qualitative method is used and it is supported by quantitative one.  Several factors are involved in this study. They are curriculum, teachers of hospitality subjects, English teachers, Students of English Department, and the competency expected from Writing 1. The result shows that high engagement is required to make interdisciplinary learning work. Several subjects in hospitality industries are identified to be integrated in Writing 1 including Guiding Technique, Profession Ethics, Tourism Marketing, Hygiene and Sanitation, Hotel Management, Tourism Destination and Attraction. The contentof those subjects are simplified according to the objective of Writing 1 for higher TVET. Keywords: Interdisciplinary Approach, Writing, English Teaching, Hospitality Industry

PEMBUATAN BAHAN AJAR ENGLISH FOR YOUNG LEARNERS UNTUK YAYASAN AL-KAHFI CABANG PALEMBANG

Regarding the English instruction, Yayasan Al-Kahfi Cabang Palembang (YACP) has seven  problems. The problems include lack of English teachers, lack of knowledge on young leraners’ characteristics and skills in teaching young learners, limited learning resources (teaching materials and media), teaching focus on vocabularies only, inappropriate teaching materials for young learners, ineffective teaching media, and uninteresting teaching strategies. The assigned community service program aims at providing the teachers with  knowledge on young learners’ characteristics and teaching young learners and designing sistematic and contextual teaching materials for young learners in group A (elementary students in years 1, 2, and 3. The program was carried out through discussion and teaching material design. The process of the material design consisted of three main steps: preliminary study, design of teaching material draft, and evaluation and revision of the materials. Through this community service program, four of seven problems faced by YACP can be solved. First, the English teachers’ knowledge on  young learners’ characteristics and teaching young learners increases.  Second, the teacher and the students have the course book ‘English for Young Leraners’ consisting of 12 topics. Third, the materials are sistematic, contextual, and suitable for young learners. Fourth, by using this book, the teachers will teach not only isolated words  but also the use of the words in sentences through four language skills – listening, reading, speaking, and writing. This program will be continued in 2020 with the focus of providing the teachers with the training and coaching to use the course book. Since the book contains some drawbacks and  mistakes probably found when using it, the book revision needs to do