model for the English teacher of the vocational high schools. Both closed and open-ended questionnaires are used to gather data. The result of this project is in
the form of a manual and a workbook of the competence-based assessment model. Meanwhile, Wong 2008 investigates some English teachers to see the
effectiveness of competence-based learning. The research intends to see how the students respond to the competence-based learning and difficulties in
implementing the approach. Meanwhile, Istiarni 2002 focuses on developing the materials. She adapts the competence-based learning to design a set of
instructional speaking materials for extracurricular activities in the first semester of second grade students in senior high schools. Surveys and questionnaires are
used to gain information on the need analysis. She develops the materials into eight units. Those researches on the competence-based learning have contributed
to the improvement of life quality especially in the efficiency in teaching and learning English.
B. PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
Ten different curricula have been officially issued by the government and will always be improved in the following years. Despite of the curriculum changes
which always occur over time, the aim of a vocational high school will remain the same. It aims to prepare students to be ready-to-work graduates. Therefore,
English materials in vocational high school should be significantly related to the working demands.
In fact, vocational high school students still face many problems in learning English. Based on the three English teachers teaching vocational
students, those problems are: the need of suitable English materials, the need of more facilities, the lack of vocabulary knowledge, the less motivation in
discussing theoretical things, and so on. This research proposes an alternative solution to solve one out of all
problems. This research was to develop an alternative English syllabus model for vocational high school students. It was to be developed by adapting the
competence-based approach as the current approach implemented in the current curriculum in Indonesia. The competence-based learning contains some aspects
which the researcher thinks are very significant to be included in the teaching and learning process. This approach does not only emphasize on the development of
students’ knowledge, but also the skills and attitudes. The development of the model focuses on the English which the students will use when they are working.
C. PROBLEM LIMITATIONS
Five points are considered as the limitations of this research. First, the focus of this research is only on developing a syllabus model. Therefore, there
will be no experimental study measuring the proficiency level after experiencing the syllabus model. Second, the process of developing the model will include need
analysis step. The need analysis is conducted by having the assumed needs from document analysis due to the time constraints the researcher has. Third, the model
will be in the form of a three-year syllabus and a sample unit. The unit aims to provide a sample on how to conduct the teaching and learning which implements
competence-based learning. Fourth, the product of this research will be limited only for socio-cultural divisions of vocational high school.
D. PROBLEM FORMULATION
