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4 Conversations
Conversation is one common way to promote oral skills in the classroom. The teacher may ask the students to make conversations and practise them.
Conversation is one speaking activity which is particularly suited to the analysis that the students must become more metalinguistically aware of the many features
of language to become competent speakers and interlocutors in English.
5 Audioaudiod Oral Dialogue Journals
It is the example of modelling in speaking class. It has much to offer both to the teacher and the students in the oral skills classroom. Oral dialogue journals are
one format where practice with fluency and attention to accuracy can be accomplished at the same time.
6 Other Accuracy-Based Activities
Activities that promote students getting acquainted with each other lend themselves to practise with specific structures but in a realistic context. It is
supposed that the students will be able to practise speaking in a realistic context.
5. Perception
a. The Definition of Perception
Kreitner and Kinicki 1992: 126 state that perception is a mental and cognitive process that enables us to interpret and understand our surroundings.
Therefore, perception is the result of our interpretation and understanding of our surroundings.
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The Individual Important Perceptual Response
Outcomes
Figure 2.1 An Overview of the Perception Process Kreitner and Kinicki, 1992: 126
Perception and interpretation occur as a result of environmental stimuli. From one’s perception and interpretation, the individual will have a kind of stereotype,
self-fulfilling prophecy and attributions. Overall, this will influence hisher attitudes, motivation and behaviour.
Sarah and Hawes, as cited in English Teaching Forum vol. October 4 1994: 22-24 suggest that teachers have to shape learners’ positive perceptions to exploit
their motivation to improve the ability to speak English fluently. In addition, Covington and Beery 1976, as cited in Vernon and Louise 1990: 163 argues
that improper learning conditions which might come from the low motivation and negative perceptions would result in the failure of learning. Therefore, teachers
have to help students to create proper learning conditions by improving the students’ motivation to acquire the success of learning. Hence, the teachers can
shape the students’ positive perceptions to exploit their motivation. Moreover, Haire 1956, cited in Leontiev 1981: 31 states that perception is
a process in which the individual recognizes information, fits the information, and compares the information with the previous one which is stored in the person’s
memory. It means that from the information that one receives, in which it can be called as stimuli, heshe will identify the stimuli. Then, heshe will recall hisher
Environmental Stimuli
Perception and
Interpretati •
Stereotypes •
Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
• Attributions
• Attitudes
• Motivation
• Behaviour
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memory, whether heshe has ever received the same stimuli or not. Next, if heshe is able to recognize the stimuli, heshe then fits it and compares it with the
previous one. According to Stipek 1993: 141, perceptions of ability play an important role
in achievement motivation. Therefore, individuals who believe they are competent at a task will be motivated to have good achievement as they perceive their
probability of success higher than those who believe they lack competence. Hence, if students perceive that they have good ability in a task, they will be
motivated to achieve success.
b. Some Factors Influencing Perception