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practical, can be used as the guide to develop English materials for vocational school especially.
In theme-based instruction, themes are the central ideas that become the backbone of the units, so that they have to be chosen with some considerations,
such as students’ interests and needs, content resources, educational aims, and institutional demands. TB course consists of several subunits focusing on different
topics which explore more specific aspects of the general theme. Topics then should be arranged to provide coherence for theme unit, and to generate content
and language. Theme-based instruction, as the name suggests, is an instructional method
that place emphasis on particular theme. From that theme, the course developer can expand the theme to every aspect that fulfills the students needs. It is also a
connector for students who has their own expertise to mastering a language and
contents in their expertise. 8. Unit Development
The learning materials are constructed by the compilation of units. Those units are arranged based on the course grid that the developer has created before.
To develop units, the material developer needs to follow six steps provided by Nunan 2004: 31. Nunan argues if the material developer follows his suggestions,
the units being developed will enable learners to complete the tasks and fit to their level proficiency. Because this study is only related to written cycle, one of the
steps is omitted. Thus, the five steps are: schema building, controlled practice,
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focus on linguistic elements, provide freer practice, and introduce the pedagogical task.
a. Models of Unit Development 1.
schema building
In the beginning, learners are guided by teacher to build what we called as schema. This schema will serve as the core of what learners need to do in a unit.
The schema also provides learners the key points that they are required to achieve before doing tasks in a unit.
2. controlled practice
This step is time for students to explore their knowledge related to the use of vocabulary, structures, and functions in particular situation. By practicing it,
learners will have better grasp on what they learn in that unit. Controlled practice can be by listening, watching, or reading non-authentic or authentic text taken
place in particular place. i.e. workshop.
3. focus on linguistic elements
In this step, the main focus as the name suggest is linguistics elements such as grammar and vocabulary. Unlike traditional approach that
emphasizelinguistics elements in separate way, the Content-based Instruction gives emphasis on the relation of grammar, vocabulary that learners acquire with
their situational conditions.
4. providing freer practice
In this step, learners are expected to be able to produce their own style of language use.
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5. introducing the pedagogical task
At this step, it is the time to introduce the pedagogical tasks, which mean that students are required to complete tasks in groupwork.
b. Task Continuity
To build a good structure of units, tasks need to be developed based on continuity principle. The continuity, according to Nunan 2004: 125, means that
tasks, task components, and supporting skills unit must be interdependent with each other. By developing tasks of unit, the learning process cycle will not be
interrupted. Nunan 2004: 125 also provides definition of continuity from
psycholinguistics approach. Here, Nunan states that tasks are sequenced by considering the cognitive and performance demand set for learners.
It can be inferred that task continuity is important, because it requires the coherent and cohesive of tasks, task components, and supporting skills to make
the teaching learning process run smoothly and continuously. Nunan 2004: 126 also provides the task continuity principle in the
following table.
Table 2. Principles of Task Continuity Phases
Steps within Phase
A. Processing 1. Read or study a text
– no other response required. 2. Read or listen to a text and give a non-verbal, physical
response e.g. learner raises hand every time key words are heard.
3. Read or listen to a text and give a non-physical, non- verbal response e.g. check-off a box or grid every time
key words are heard. 4. Read or listen to a text and give a verbal response e.g.
write down key words every time they are heard.
