Background of the Study

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CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION

A. Background of the Study

Learning English is getting more and more important. As a matter of fact, English takes up a very important position in almost all fields of life, such as economics, education, politics, technology, sports, tourism, and so on. In relation to the importance of English, Indonesian Government has determined English as the first foreign language to be learned and taught to Indonesian students. It has been decided that English is included in the curriculum as a compulsory subject from high school up to the university levels. Listening, one of the four skills in learning language, is considered as a basic language skill. Without learning listening first the learner might not be able to speak. The Decision of Indonesian Education Minister Kepmendiknas, No. 17 2003 states that listening is one of the most important English skills that must be tested in the national final exam or UAN. Started from 2004, listening comprehension has been included in test material of the national final exam or UAN. As a compulsory subject, the result of listening comprehension has not been satisfactory yet. In fact, many students have graduated from their school with xiv minimum listening proficiency. In learning English, students encounter difficulties which come from sounds, words, classifying words and sentences. In addition, students are not interested in learning English, especially listening subject. Their low interest in the learning process causes their attention to the material taught becomes low. Their low interest can be caused by their low learning motivation. According to Ur, students’ motivation loses more easily because of monotonous, apparently pointless activity 1998: 288. Consequently, the low motivation can cause unsatisfactory result in learning. Previous research shows that learners who have low learning motivation tend to get unsatisfactory achievement or low achievement. On the other hand, learners who have strong learning motivation are more curious and learn better, and they tend to obtain higher achievement than those who have low motivation. In this case, high learning motivation is associated with high achievement. The success of teaching English can be influenced by many factors. Learning motivation is one of important factors in foreign language teaching and learning. Creating high motivation in learning English is difficult tasks for the teachers. There are several techniques in teaching English as a foreign language that can increase students’ attention to the lesson material, and produce better learning. However, not all techniques are helpful for the students, especially Senior High School students. The techniques used in teaching should be adjusted to their characteristics. xv Encountering students having low motivation to learn English subject, the writer is in interested in using Power Point. There are many reasons why this study uses Power Point in teaching English. First, SMAN I Girimarto, the high school where he works, has been equipped with a language laboratory having head sets, LCD projectors, Penthium IV Computers and sound system sets. He is familiar with them, because he is in charge of the language laboratory. He has been trained to use an English laboratory and has participated in the contest in making learning media. Second, Power Point is easily operated. By using Power Point, he can develop many kinds of English materials such as English songs, games, and many kinds of stories which can be expected to improve students’ learning motivation and listening proficiency. Students learning motivation plays an important role to achieve the success of learning English. Students learning motivation naturally has to do with students’ desire to participate in the learning process. Learning motivation is the willingness of the students to follow the learning activities. It concerns with the goals involved in the activities being performed. Their persistence during the activity is related to their motivation. Each learner has not the same quality of learning motivation. However, we can be certain that they have a desire to learn. The students are motivated when they find the drive to learn for their own sake. Meanwhile, they are eager to do the task or perform an activity for the sake of rewards, privilege or externally derived satisfaction. xvi In teaching English in a village where SMAN I Girimarto is located, English teachers should conduct some techniques communicatively and innovatively to improve students learning motivation. Learning English assisted by Power Point can be an inspiring technique to use, as this can be enjoyable and meaningful. As an English teacher, he is used to use Power Point in his teaching. His experience shows that using Power Point can attract the students’ attention. So, it is necessary for me to conduct a study about using Power Point in relation to improve learning motivation in my class. In the study of language skills, he would like to focus on listening, according to his observation, his students encounter problems most in listening skills. Thus, in this research he would like to investigate the effectiveness of using Power Point to improve students learning motivation and listening proficiency.

B. Formulation of the Problems