Essay Introduction, Body, and Conclusion

Problem Faced by Indonesian EFL Learners in Pandemic Covid-19

INTRODUCTION

Covid-19 or novel coronavirus is a mild to severe respiratory illness that is caused by a coronavirus (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 of the genus Betacoronavirus), is transmitted chiefly by contact with infectious material (such as respiratory droplets) or with objects or surfaces contaminated by the causative virus, and is characterized especially by fever, cough, and shortness of breath and may progress to pneumonia and respiratory failure. This virus began to be widely discussed in Indonesia around March 2020. Until now Covid-19 has taken a significant number of victims in Indonesia. In the context of facing the covid-19 pandemic, the Indonesian government implemented social distancing as a result, all community activities were restricted, including in the field of education. Now all forms of learning are closed. This causes difficulty in adapting students to the learning process because it does not get a direct explanation face to face. Especially for EFL learners in Indonesia this is quite a challenge, because learning English requires direct practice to be able to understand learning well.

People learn English in different situations. Some may study English formally and the others may study it informally. The learners may also study it in English speaking countries such as Australia, the USA, Canada  or the UK. As a result, learners may get a great deal of exposure to the language since English is used in every aspect of the society’s life: education, daily conversation, trading, business, law, politics, etc. The majority of the English learners, nevertheless, study this in non-English speaking countries. In countries like Malaysia, India, Mexico, Singapore and so on, people use English as a second language. Some schools (or particular levels in some schools) use English as the language of instruction. In some countries, such as Nigeria, people of different ethnic groups may use English to communicate with each other. In some countries like Indonesia, Vietnam and China, English is regarded as a foreign language; therefore, it is common to consider the context of English learning in these places as EFL (English as a Foreign Language) context. People do not use it as lingua franca or the means of communication in several formal situations such as educational activity, governmental activity and law. In the study of English learning, ESL and EFL are regarded as similar in contexts, since, to some extent, they share similar situation. In Indonesia English has become one of compulsory subjects taught in Junior and Senior High Schools in Indonesia. English is considered as one important foreign language that should be acquired by Indonesians for many reasons, such as for education and economic development. However, despite having learnt English for about 6 years, most of Indonesian students are still unsatisfactory in their English skills.

This essay discusses about problem solve by Indonesian EFL learners in pandemic covid-19. First, it discusses Indonesian EFL learners and method in EFL education. Second, the impact of pandemic covid-19 on the Indonesian education system. Third, how to learn English in pandemic situation. Finally, this essay summarize about the ways to learn English language by Indonesian EFL learners in pandemic covid-19.

BODY

First, Mitchel and Myles (2001: 11) define second language learning as “ the learning of any language to any level, provided only that learning of the ‘second’ language takes place sometime later than the acquisition of the first language.” Furthermore, they define second languages as any languages other than the learner’s native language or ‘mother tongue.’ Language acquisition is the process by which language develops in humans. First language acquisition concerns the development of language in children, while second language acquisition focuses on language development in adults. There have been continuing debate on whether nature or nurture as the most important explanatory factor for acquisition.

The Instruction of English as a foreign language may occur in any country, whether English speaking or not. Learners of EFL study English for different purposes: passing the examination, career development, pursuing their education, etc. In most countries, English as a Foreign Language is part of the educational curriculum, particularly in state schools. In Indonesia, English is a compulsory subject in senior and junior high schools. In the lower levels, such as in elementary schools and in kindergarten, English is not a compulsory subject; it can be taught to the students as the local content subject (muatan lokal). Teaching and learning has a very close relationship and one into another cannot be defined apart. Brown (198ss7: p.6) identifies the components of

definition of learning as follow:                                                        

1.      learning is acquisition or getting.

2.      learning is retention of information or skill.

3.      retention implies storage systems, memory, cognitive organization.

4.      learning involves active, conscious focus on and acting upon even outside or inside the organism.

5.      learning is relatively permanent, but subject to forgetting.

6.      learning involves some forms of practice, perhaps reinforced practice.

7.      learning is part of changes in behavior.

Furthermore, Brown defines teaching as “guiding and facilitating learning, enabling learner to learn, and setting the condition for learning.”

Method to teaching English for Indonesian EFL Learners.

1.      The Grammar Translation Methods

This method is related to Latin and Greek grammar learning methods. The GTM method is used for speaking, reading and writing Latin. This method is divided into two parts: first, rules and pattern models. Second, the sentence will be translated into and from the target language. This method includes learning grammar rules, grammatical learning of words, and learning to use rules (formulas) in interpreting sentences. This method was used by the United States in 1890. In this method the vocabulary of the target language is learned through direct translation from the native language. Then the results of the translation are discussed. This method is related to Latin and Greek grammar learning methods. The GTM method is used for speaking, reading and writing Latin.

 This method is divided into two parts: first, rules and pattern models. Second, the sentence will be translated into and from the target language. This method includes learning grammar rules, grammatical learning of words, and learning to use rules (formulas) in interpreting sentences. This method was used by the United States in 1890. In this method the vocabulary of the target language is learned through direct translation from the native language. Then the results of the translation are discussed.

2.      Audio-Lingual Method (ALL)

This method was introduced in the United States in 1940. Although this method is classified as very old, many teachers still use this method. Technically, this method is supported by machine-related aids such as tape recorders and language laboratories. In this Audio Lingual Method language learners are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed for effective communication in a foreign language. Then language learners are also required to understand the language and culture of foreigners whose language they learn. Initially this method was introduced to prepare people to become experts or masters of a foreign language verbally in a short time and the language that was emphasized was short, especially in language in oral form. This method assumes that speaking and listening are the main opportunities, then reading and writing become the second.

3.      Silent Way

Silent way is the name of the language learning method invented by Caleb Cattegno. This method uses a bar or number map in learning. In this method the rule is that the teacher's language is relatively less so that the learner (student) becomes more active in producing the language. The teacher only functions as a guide, source and assessor. Language learners are usually accustomed to thinking about concepts before their language is spoken. They must understand what they will say before they say it. Understanding first, then speaking.

4.      Community Language Learning (CLL)

The name of this method was introduced and developed by Charles A. Currandan and his colleagues. Curran is a specialist in Counseling and a Professor at Chicago's Loyoya University. This method is also called counseling learning. The present language learning community uses counseling learning theory to teach foreign languages. The term counseling itself refers to the relationship between counselor and client. In this method the teacher as a counselor and students as clients. This CLL views that the language of learning is the whole of a person's self which includes psychology including emotions and feelings.

The teacher's language is adapted to the conditions and situations in which the language learner learns a foreign language. Then the way to implement the learning varies based on culture, skill level, and classroom conditions.

5.      Total Physical Response (TPR)

Total Physical Response is one of the methods developed by James J. Ashers, a professor of psychology at the University in Santa Jose, California. Dr. Ashers began his experiment with the development of psychology, learning theory and language learning procedures. Contrary to the previous method, if in this TPR it is believed that the learner must understand the target language or target before speaking. Language learners can learn through self-observation. By making observations and appearances, they will understand the language learned. They will also understand language from seeing actions and hearing them. At this TPR the teacher will practice what he will teach. For example: when teaching nose, he will touch it. This method can be used in teaching children and adults. The basis of this method is happiness that makes students interested in English.

Second, it will discusses about the impact of pandemic covid-19 on the Indonesian education system.  The increase in the Covid-19 virus in Indonesia has resulted in national and regional governments issuing various appeals, regulations, and policies that are given to people throughout Indonesia. Regrettably the appeal is still ignored by a number of people. Because the impact is very fatal, this virus is very easy to spread and attack the body's immunity quickly even many casualties not only Indonesia against covid-19 virus. Collections given Government response to covid-19 to eliminate learning activities in schools is replaced by online systems or online learning to prevent covid-19 transmission. Even the scheduled final school exam was finally decided to be abolished, in order to save students from distributing civid-19.

The policies implemented by the government to reduce activities including learning, working from home still cause turmoil in the implementation. One of them is in the process of assigning tasks. The number of assignments given to students who are blaming, so that many parents who complained to the teacher to reduce the assignments given to their students, on the other hand the teacher holds the mandate of teaching to follow the curriculum set by the government with a makeshift facility that many tasks are not well delivered to cause problems regarding assignment. With the holding of an online system the teacher should give students activities to stimulate the brain so that when returning to their original activities students are ready to restart learning, and provide an explanation of the covid-19 virus first because this virus is very dangerous. Starting from giving an understanding of why you must study at home about ways to prevent students from understanding the dangers of co-19 that are reaching the world. by the way the teacher gives.

Teaching about Covid-19 can reduce the spread of the virus and reduce the impact of the transmission of the Covid-19 virus in Indonesia. Hopefully with the Indonesian online education system learning can continue students can study quietly at home and the teacher can provide learning materials well. So that the understanding of the Covid-19 virus in Indonesia is quickly understood and the Covid-19 issue can be resolved soon.

Third, will discusses about how to learn English in pandemic Covid-19 .Education is a tool for national development of a nation. One of the indices of human development in a country is based on its education, namely the number of people who are literate. Therefore, the progress of education becomes important, because without education national development and economic growth may not develop. Education must continue to be improved because education is also a milestone in the founding of a nation. Now the world is busy with the plague covid-19 or people also know as corona. Nearly all the countries in the world have contracted the plague. one of the countries affected by the virus is Indonesia. Then, forcing each of our activities to stop, both activities related to economic, social, education and others. Obviously, this disturbs every inch of activities in Indonesia. Covid-19 is not an ordinary virus, therefore the government needs close supervision of it. Therefore, every preventive policy is carried out by the government.

The increasingly widespread outbreak of Corona Diseases 2019 (Covid-19) makes the government and all stakeholders have to think hard in handling this case. Until now, the government has not taken refressive measures such as strict territorial restrictions or lockdowns, but only carried out social restrictions or social distancing rules. This is regulated in Law No. 6 of 2018 concerning Health Quarantine which was later reinforced by PP No. 21 of 2020 and Permenkes 9 of 2020 concerning Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB). President Joko Widodo strongly urged to work from home, learn from home, and worship from home. This makes our world of education change 180 degrees. Because the only solution that can be offered by online learning (online learning / online) classroom).

This is like providing shock therapy for teachers and students. Many teachers do not yet know what online learning is and how to do it. Likewise, students are not yet familiar with online learning. Indeed, so far our world of education seems to be indifferent to online learning and its development is very slow in Indonesia, especially in Bali. Online learning or online learning is distance learning using computer devices or gadgets interconnected where teachers and students communicate interactively by utilizing communication and information media. This learning is very dependent on the internet network connection that connects teachers and students. Online learning is very helpful for our education world during this pandemic.

Many applications can be utilized in online learning such as Whatsapp Group, Google Classroom, Edmodo, Quizzi, Zoom Cloud, Jitsi, etc. However, there are actually many obstacles that we find in the field today. For example, it is still constrained in terms of infrastructure or devices such as computers or gadgets. Some of our educators are still not accustomed to using or operating this device. Likewise students are still unfamiliar especially in rural areas, and also lack of a strong signal network throughout Bali. Another fundamental problem is the habitual pattern of teaching and learning of students and teachers who are accustomed to conventional learning.

Teachers are still not accustomed to teaching by utilizing complex online media that must be packaged effectively, easily accessed and understood by students. While students really need a culture of learning to attend and the habit of learning to follow learning through computers or gadgets. Thus the teacher is required to be able to design or design online learning that is lightweight and effective, by utilizing appropriate online devices or media and in accordance with the material being taught. Although online learning will provide wider opportunities to explore the material to be taught, the teacher must be able to choose and limit the extent of the scope of the material and what applications are suitable for the material and learning methods used. Many teachers are over-pushing an application that is considered contemporary and cool, but it is not in accordance with the initial purpose of an online learning, that is to make it easier for students to get learning or education in this co-19 pandemic situation.

Covid-19 Pandemic forced each activity to stop, one of which was teaching and learning activities in schools. Learning activities that initially took place face-to-face are now largely carried out by online learning. This was done as an effort by the government to reduce the number of affected people and to reduce the spread of the epidemic. By not holding classes directly, it certainly affects the learning process and student learning. In addition, the role of teachers in schools is forced to be replaced by parents at home. Teachers no longer supervise student learning directly and need parents as a replacement. Online is one of the learning methods chosen in the midst of the covid-19 virus. Online is online learning through specified media. In it, students and teachers can still discuss, as well as with group friends.

CONCLUSION

Language acquisition is the process by which language develops in humans. First language acquisition concerns the development of language in children, while second language acquisition focuses on language development in adults. There have been continuing debate on whether nature or nurture as the most important explanatory factor for acquisition. The Instruction of English as a foreign language may occur in any country, whether English speaking or not.

In Indonesia, English is a compulsory subject in senior and junior high schools. Method to teaching English for Indonesian EFL Learners.

1.      Grammar Translation Methods

2.      Physical Response

3.      Silent Way

4.      Community Language Learning (CLL)

5.      Total Physical Response (TPR)

This method can be used in teaching children and adults. The basis of this method is happiness that makes students interested in English. Collections given Government response to covid-19 to eliminate learning activities in schools is replaced by online systems or online learning to prevent covid-19 transmission. Even the scheduled final school exam was finally decided to be abolished, in order to save students from distributing civid-19.

The number of assignments given to students who are blaming, so that many parents who complained to the teacher to reduce the assignments given to their students, on the other hand the teacher holds the mandate of teaching to follow the curriculum set by the government with a makeshift facility that many tasks are not well delivered to cause problems regarding assignment. With the holding of an online system the teacher should give students activities to stimulate the brain so that when returning to their original activities students are ready to restart learning, and provide an explanation of the covid-19 virus first because this virus is very dangerous. Starting from giving an understanding of why you must study at home about ways to prevent students from understanding the dangers of co-19 that are reaching the world. Hopefully with the Indonesian online education system learning can continue students can study quietly at home and the teacher can provide learning materials well. The only solution that can be offered by online learning . This is like providing shock therapy for teachers and students. Many teachers do not yet know what online learning is and how to do it. Likewise, students are not yet familiar with online learning.

Indeed, so far our world of education seems to be indifferent to online learning and its development is very slow in Indonesia, especially in Bali. Online learning or online learning is distance learning using computer devices or gadgets interconnected where teachers and students communicate interactively by utilizing communication and information media. This learning is very dependent on the internet network connection that connects teachers and students. Online learning is very helpful for our education world during this pandemic.

Many applications can be utilized in online learning such as Whatsapp Group, Google Classroom, Edmodo, Quizzi, Zoom Cloud, Jitsi, etc. However, there are actually many obstacles that we find in the field today. Likewise students are still unfamiliar especially in rural areas, and also lack of a strong signal network throughout Bali. Another fundamental problem is the habitual pattern of teaching and learning of students and teachers who are accustomed to conventional learning. Teachers are still not accustomed to teaching by utilizing complex online media that must be packaged effectively, easily accessed and understood by students.

While students really need a culture of learning to attend and the habit of learning to follow learning through computers or gadgets. Thus the teacher is required to be able to design or design online learning that is lightweight and effective, by utilizing appropriate online devices or media and in accordance with the material being taught. Although online learning will provide wider opportunities to explore the material to be taught, the teacher must be able to choose and limit the extent of the scope of the material and what applications are suitable for the material and learning methods used. Many teachers are over-pushing an application that is considered contemporary and cool, but it is not in accordance with the initial purpose of an online learning, that is to make it easier for students to get learning or education in this co-19 pandemic situation.

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