Background of Study INTRODUCTION
because they can a ffect the learners’ motivation. If the methods are discouraging,
the learners will probably demotivate. On the other hand, if the methods are interesting, the learners will be motivated.
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Based on the interview with the English teacher in MTs. Al- Islamiyah Ciledug Tangerang, she said that she
explained comparative adjectives by giving the rules textually based on the textbook to the learners, and then giving them the exercises on their exercise
book. This method may not encourage learners ’ activities so that the learners tend
not to pay attention and they do not understand what the teacher explained in front of the class. Hence, teaching method is important in teaching learning process
because it can a ffect students’ motivation in teaching learning process.
Having a good teaching method is one of criteria of good teachers. Harmer states that the teachers have to create interesting class.
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He or she has to be able to prepare interesting class atmosphere by using variuos teaching method. Hence,
he or she can both motivate the learners and release barriers such as fear and anxiety. This may be a way for the learners to acquire the language more easily by
interesting class atmosphere. The English teacher can use a variation of method in teaching English to make
interesting class atmosphere. The teacher also can use various sources in teaching language, for instance, teaching language by using authentic visual materials,
authentic printed materials, and realia.
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By using various sources in teaching language, the learners may be more motivated in learning English especially in
learning comparative adjectives. They also would more understand about the explanation while learning comparative adjectives.
Based on the description above, the researcher selects one of authentic visual materials that are picture because the picture may be an effective and helpful
medium to motivate learners in language learning. Harmer states that pictures are interesting and have the power to engage learners.
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Further, the presence of
9
Jeremy Harmer, op.cit., p. 5
10
Ibid., p.6
11
Jerry G. Gebhard, op.cit., p.104
12
Jeremy Harmer, The Practice of English Language Teaching, Fourth Edition, p. 179
pictures also can improve learners’ understanding.
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Therefore, giving explanation about comparative adjectives by using of pictures will presumably affect learners
’ score because the pictures can improve learner
s’ understanding. Additionally, many previous researches recommend using picture as one of
several media or teaching aids. One of those previous researches, as stated by Seyed Jalal and Neda Karimi that it is recommended for teachers to use visual
treatment for better teaching and learning because pictures are attractive and easy for learners to remember the material.
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But in practice, throughout the researcher’s English as a foreign language education, her teachers seldom used
visual aids in the classroom. As a learner, the researcher found that her learning experience consisted of memorizing English words and grammar forms. This
could be done very quickly, but forgetting what she learnt about English could also be very quick. Further, the teacher in MTs. Al- Islamiyah Ciledug Tangerang
also taught the rules of comparative adjectives textually based on the textbook. She did not use pictures as medium to teach comparative adjectives. Hence, if the
teacher uses pictures in teaching comparative adjectives, it may be new for some learners. Because of this condition, the learners may have different perceptions of
the use of pictures in learning comparative adjectives. The different
learners’ perceptions of the use of pictures when learning comparative adjective is common because the brain uses previous information as a
basis for interpreting about something and everyone has his or her own previous information.
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Coon also claims that changes in perception can be attributed to prior experience.
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The diffe rent learners’ perceptions may be caused by learners’
different background of economic, social, culture, and soon. In this research, the students may perceive that the use of pictures is interesting, motivating, or
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Syyed Mahdi Erfani, Pictures Speak Louder than Words in ESP, Too. English Language Teaching, Vol. 5 No. 8, July, 2012, p. 165
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Seyed Jalal Abdul Manafi Rokni and Neda Karimi, Visual Instruction: An Advantage or Disadvantage? What About Its Effect on EFL Learners’ Vocabulary Leaning?, in Asian Journal
of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vol. 2 No. 4, November 2013, p. 241
15
Jane S. Halonen and John W. Santrock, Psychology Context and Applications Third Edition, United States of America: McGraw-Hill, 1999, p. 101
16
Dennis Coon, Introduction to Psychology Tenth Edition, United States of America: Wadsworth, 2004. 227
entertaining teaching aid. On the other hand, the students may perceive that pictures are complex, not interesting, or ineffective teaching aid for studying
comparative adjectives. According to Santrock, perception is the process of organizing and interpreting
sensory information to give it meaning.
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In the researchers ’ opinion, perception is
important because everyone has different perceptions of something and the perception can affect hisher thinking. As stated by Wade and Tavris that the
perception is important because it provides the foundation for learning, thinking, and acting.
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Hence, the learners ’ perceptions of the use of pictures when learning
comparative adjectives is needed to know because learners’ perceptions are basic
for the learners think. They also are as an aid for teachers to reflect their teaching strategy. As stated by Etuk, et.al. that
“The knowledge of the way the students think and perceive can aid the teacher to reflect upon and adjust his teaching
strategies to enhance students’ understanding and achievement”.
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Not only as an aid for teachers to reflect their teaching strategy, but the learners’ perceptions also needed to know because they can affect learners’
learning achievement.
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What the learners perceive about learning environment can influence
their learning achievement. Hence, the learners’ perceptions of learning environment play important role in learners’ learning achievement.
Although many factors wh ich influence learners’ achievement, as explained
before, such as family condition, teacher and teaching method, equipment which used in teaching learning process, learning environment, social motivation, and
perception, the researcher only focuses on two factors of learning achievement; teaching method and perception. By using interesting teaching method, the use of
17
John W. Santrock, Psychology Updated Seventh Edition, New York: McGraw-Hill, 2005, p. 177
18
Carole Wade and Carol Tavris, Psychology Tenth Edition, United States of America: Pearson, 2011, p. 179
19
Etuk N. Etuk, et. al., Students’ Perception of Teachers’ Characteristics and Their
Attitude towards Mathematics in Oron Education Zone Nigeria, International Education Studies, Vol. 6, No. 2, 2013, p. 197
20
Sunday A. Adeyomo, The Effect of Teachers’ Perception and Students’ Perception of
Physics Classroom Learning Environment on Their Academic Achievement in Senior Secondary Schools Physics, in International Journal of Education Research and Technology, Vol. 2 Issue 1,
June 2011, p. 75
pictures in teaching comparative adjectives, and positive learners’ perception of
leaning environment, the learners’ achievement may increase. Based on the statement above, the writer intends to investigate the effect of the
use of pictures on learners’ score and perception in learning comparative
adjectives. Further she intends to write her skripsi entitled
“The Effect of Using Pictures in Learning Comparative Adjectives
to Learners’ Score and Perception
”. A Mixed Method Research in the Eighth Grade of MTs Al- Islamiyah Ciledug Tangerang.