Background of the Study

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CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION

This chapter is divided into six parts. The first part is the background of the study, which reveals the writer’s reason for conducting the study. The second part is the problem formulation, which conveys the problems that will be discussed in the study. The third part is the problem limitation. This part gives a clear border of the study being discussed. The fourth part is the objectives of the study, which shows the aims of the study. The fifth part is benefits of the study. This part reveals the advantages of the study that order researchers may gain through reading the study. The last part is definition of terms that clarifies the terms used in the study.

A. Background of the Study

A class consists of students with different and various personalities. The students have their own socio-cultural background, knowledge, personality, motivation, and creativity in learning. Considering these differences, there is also a different method and strategy to formulate the teaching learning process. A teacher as a person who handles teaching learning process in the classroom should understand the various students’ characteristics. In order to maximize the students’ learning characteristics, the teacher needs interaction and cooperation to teach English in the classroom. SD Kanisius Kanutan needs English instructional materials for the sixth grade students because there are limited materials in Elementary School level. 2 Based on an informal interview with an English teacher of SD Kanisius Kanutan, the integrated English instructional materials are suitable for the sixth grade students since the students are ready and able to develop English skills and elements. In this study, the writer uses integrated materials because in the Elementary School, the English subject is taught in a single session. There is no reading session or writing session, but the teachers teach the four English skills in a single hour. Furthermore, in a week there is only one 80-minute meeting. Therefore, the students should learn English skills in those limited hours in the classroom. SD Kanisius Kanutan is located in a rural area. The location of the school can influence students’ background knowledge, teaching-learning style, students’ competence, and the whole teaching-learning process. The teaching-learning process in this school is generally teacher-centered and the characteristics of the sixth grade students are active and highly motivated. The writer uses theory of Cooperative Learning since it maximizes the use of cooperation activities in pairs and in a small group of learning in the classroom. The students are grouped so that they work together. In the group, the students are able to maximize their knowledge, cooperation ability, and performance in learning. By working together, the problems can be solved easier. Cooperative Learning promotes the students’ desire to master the English lesson. Based on the characteristics and background of SD Kanisius Kanutan, the writer believes that designed materials based on Cooperative Learning are appropriate for the sixth grade students of SD Kanisius Kanutan. The writer also believes that Cooperative Learning activities enhance the students to be active in learning English. 3

B. Problem Formulation