Definition of Language Skills

2. AN OVERVIEW OF LANGUAGE SKILLS

2.1 Definition of Language Skills

Language skill is an ability to use language well in order to do the process of communication whether spoken or written by practicing and doing many practices. There are four language skills that have to be mastered in learning a language, they are listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. 1. Listening Skills Listening skill is a receptive skill in the oral mode which uses the sense of hearing. Listening is an activity of thinking. It is not only using the sense of hearing, but also the combination of sense of hearing and thinking process. 2. Speaking Skills Speaking skill is a productive skill in the oral mode. 3. Reading Skills Reading skills is an active process of receptive skill in the written mode intends to absorb and store information in order to increase knowledge. 4. Writing Skills Writing skill is a productive skill in the written mode. The relationships among these four skills above can be shown in the following chart: Universitas Sumatera Utara Oral Written Receptive Listening Reading Productive Speaking Writing Tarigan, 1980: 1, 1981: 2. Each of these four skills has the close relation, it can not be separated each other to do the communication well by language. The relationships among these skills ca be explained as a series of thinking process. Firstly, we listen by using the sense of hearing and thinking. Then, we speak to say what we have listened. We need to absorb and store information; therefore the next step is to read something to increase the knowledge the knowledge such as, newspaper, books, journal, statement, report, etc. These skills are used in communication. Listening and speaking are used in oral communication means, while reading and writing are used I written communication. In acquiring the language skills, we usually pass an organized relation that starts from learning a language when we were children, then speak. After that learning to read and write. Each skill certainly has close relation with processes that provided language. Language reflects minds. Tarigan 1980:1, 1981:2 states “The more skilled somebody used the language, the more bright and clear his or her way of mind. Skills only can be gotten and mastered through practice and do a lot of exercise. Exercise the language skills means to exercise thinking skills”. Universitas Sumatera Utara

2.2 Definition of Speaking