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of initial speaking practice. There should be many opportunities in the class to combine listening and speaking through meaningful activities. Brown and Yule in
Nunan, 1999: 237 also says when children start learning English, they need to be given language before they can produce it. It means that before being able to speak,
they should start with listening first. Prior experience as a listener helps speakers to improve their performance as a speaker.
Based on the principles and statements above fun atmosphere must be created in order to help children learning. Children must also be given a lot of opportunities
to practice speaking English. Visual support is also important in the teaching of English to children. Those aspects must be taken into account before the speaking
technique and activities are designed.
e. The Curriculum in Elementary School
In the document of standard of competence and basic competence of English subject in Elementary school,English is aimed to give them a skill that can be
beneficial in making them more prepared to learn English at Junior High School. The skill is the ability to interact in English to support the activities in the class and
school. The teaching and learning of English at elementary school covers skills to
communicate in the spoken way in the context of school. It covers 4 skills as mentioned, namely listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Reading ing and writing
skills are expected to support the teaching and learning of spoken communication.
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Table 1 and 2 show the standard of competence and basic competence of English subject in Elementary school during semester 1 and 2 respectively.
Table 1:Standard of Competence and Basic Competence in Elementary School for 4th Grade Semester 1
4th Grade, Semester 1 Standard of Competence
Basic Competence Listening
1. Comprehending very simple
instruction with the actions in the context of class
1.1 Responding by doing actions based on the instructions in the classroom context
1.2 Responding very simple instructions verbally in the context of class
Speaking
2. Expressingvery simple
instructionsand informationin the context of class
2.1 Having a conversation to show actions involving language functions on: self introduction, greetings,
leave taking, and giving commands. 2.2 Having a conversation to askgive servicethings
involving language functions on: asking for help, asking for something, and giving something.
2.3 Having a conversation to askgive information involving language functions on: thanking,
apologizing, forgiving, prohibiting, complementing, and inviting.
2.4 Expressing politeness involving language functions on: thank you, sorry, please, and excuse me
Reading
3. Comprehendingvery simple English
writingin the context of class 3.1 Reading aloud by pronouncing alphabets and
appropriate pronunciation involving words, phrases, and very simple sentences
3.2 Comprehending very simple sentences and written messages
Writing
4. Spellingand copying very simple
English writing in the context of class
4.1 Spelling very simple English expressions appropriately with the correct punctuation involving words, phrases,
and very simple sentences 4.2 Copying very simple English writing appropriately
such as: congratulatory and written messages
Expectations on students’ character : Trustworthines, respect, diligence, responsibility, courage
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Table 2:Standard of Competence and Basic Competence in Elementary Schoolfor 4th Grade Semester 2
Standard of Competence Basic Competence
Listening
. 5. Comprehending very simple
instructions with actions in the context of class
5.1 Responding by doing actions based on the instructions in the the context of class and various games
5.2 Responding very simple instructions verbally
Speaking
. 6. Expressing very simple instructions
and information in the context of class 6.1 Copying very simple expressions
6.2 Having a conversation to show actions involving language functions on: giving examples in doing
something and giving commands. 6.3 Having a conversation to askgive service things
appropriately involving language functions on: asking for help, asking for something, giving something
6.4 Having a conversation to askgive information appropriately involving language functions on: asking
for permission, giving permission, agreeing, and disagreeing, denying, and clarifying.
6.5 Expressing politeness appropriately involving language functions on: thank you, sorry, please, and excuse me
Reading
. 7. Comprehendingvery simple English
writingin the context of class 7.1 Reading aloud by pronouncing alphabets and
appropriate pronunciation involving words, phrases, and very simple sentences
7.2 Comprehending very simple sentences and written messages
Writing
. 8. Spellingand copying very simple
English writing in the context of class 8.1 Spelling very simple English expressions appropriately
with the correct punctuation involving words, phrases, and very simple sentences
8.2 Copying very simple English writing appropriately such as: congratulatory and written messages
Expectations on students’ character :
Trustworthines, respect, diligence, responsibility, courage
2. Teaching with Media
