While inanimate noun is noun that refers to a material object or non-living thing. For example, like letter, postcard and pen.
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B. Realia
1. Definition of Realia
Realia is a term for any real, concrete object in used in or out the classroom to create connection with vocabulary words, stimulate
conversation, and build a background knowledge. It is used by teacher to demonstrate real life particularly of people situated. Objects that are
intrinsically interesting can provide a good starting point for a variety of language work and communication activities. Realia also make learning
process more enjoyable. It gives students opportunity to use all of their sense to learn about a given subject, and it is appropriately for any grade
or skill level. Realia is real life objects that enable students to make connections to
their own lives. In language teaching, realia are actual objects, which have a purpose outside the classroom and can be used in the classroom.
Realia consists of actual objects or items, which is used in the classroom to illustrate and teach vocabulary or to serve as an aid to
facilitate language acquisition and production.
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In education, realia are objects from real life used in the classroom instruction by educator to improve students’ understanding of their
cultures and real life situations. A teacher of a foreign language often employs realia to strengthen students’ association between words for
everyday objects and the objects themselves. In many cases, these objects are part of an instructional kit which includes manual and is thus
considered as being part of a documentary whole by librarians.
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15
www.myenglishpage.comsite_php_filesgrammar-lesson-noun.php accessed
on september 28
th
2016
16
http:www.usingenglish.comweblogarchive000228.html accessed on February 10
th
2016.
17
http:en.wikipedia.orgwikiRealia_education accessed on February 10
th
2016.
Based on the definition above the writer conclude that realia is one of the visual media which can be touched and seen to serve and to facilitate
language teaching to understand real life situations. For example, if students learn about “apple”, they will remember them
much higher after they see, touch, smell the object. Moreover, realia enhance meaning and make vocabulary more concrete and, therefore, more
comprehensible.
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Bringing realia into English lesson is a great icebreaker, and serve as a useful tool for explaining students about material.
Many students have had monotonous experiences of learning English at school as the writer found in MTs Masyariqul Anwar Caringin. Using
realia and other visual aids like pictures will interest and help to create a conducive atmosphere to learning.
If you are going to teach young learner English, realia is a must. Young learner are at the perfect age to learn a language by using their
senses to see, to touch, to hear, to smell, and to taste the learning object. Bring fruits, vegetables and toys then ask them to play those realia
whether on the table or under the table and make the simple story using realia and or pictures, and the students will enjoy their English lesson.
2. Kinds of Realia
A teacher of a foreign language often employs realia to strengthen students’ association between word for everyday object and the object
themselves. According to Argawati, there are several kinds of realia that can be used by the teacher. They are:
a. The real object being learnt and it can possibly show the student, such as stationaries, Book, pencil, eraser, bag, pan,
ruler, etc., thing in the classroom Table, chair, blackwhite board, picture, chalk, etc., parts of the body hand, hair, eyes,
nose, ears, mouth, foot, etc. etc.
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Hyru Gau, Realia make language Real, Berkeley: Primary Concept, 2010, p. 5.
