Background of the Study

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CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION

This chapter presents the background of the study, reason for choosing the topic, statement of the problem, hypotheses, purposes of the study, and significance of the study.

1.1 Background of the Study

According to Ramelan, English is one of the most important languages in the world because it has function as an international language. It has become increasingly clear that English will play an important role in communication and modernization in various parts of the world. And for this reason, English is the foreign language taught in many countries all over the world, included Indonesia. Teaching English as foreign language for Indonesian students takes rather differently from the teaching of Indonesian as a mother tongue. It is because students to come extent have had special concept of their native language that is different from the English. Consequently, Indonesian students should have a great motivation. They should be serious in learning English because learning language actually needs a total physical, intellectual and emotional response. Students who are studying their mother tongue have not difficulty. Their minds are empty of the formulation of any languages. But for the students who are studying a foreign language, their minds are full of other language, the concept of which does not appear to be adequate for this new language. For all their similarities of the languages, the native language and the one have many 2 differences in sound, writing system, and structure. Because it is a foreign language, most learners of English in Indonesia get difficulties in studying English. And in the learning process, one of the important parts in creating and understanding the language is the mastery of vocabulary. Learning a language can not be separated from learning vocabulary. Whenever we communicate using a language with other people around us, we should master a stock of words vocabulary related to the topic spoken. Because of it, vocabulary is one of the language components which are important to make clear communication. People can not express their message and ideas properly in English without knowing vocabulary. Language is a means for communication, communication with words. It means that human use of spoken and writing words as a communication system. Therefore, mastering vocabulary makes people able to create the language skills. Because of it, they will be able to use appropriate words in spoken or written language. Langan 1986: 80 states that a goal of vocabulary is a vital part of effective language communication. A better mastery in vocabulary will make students better in writing, speaking, listening, and reading. It has become increasingly clear that mastery vocabulary is one of the important skills in learning English. According to Finocchiaro 1974: 173, teachers should need methods and techniques of teaching English as a second language to develop certain knowledge, skills, and insight. It means that a teacher should be able to create a good English atmosphere that makes students feel fun and comfortable in English learning process in order to get the goal of teaching process. 3 “The first man who is responsible for the teaching learning process and the achievement of the goal of teaching is the teacher. The student in mastering the subject will greatly depend on the presentation of the material given by the teacher besides the ability of the student themselves. The teacher may use the goal formulated as a guide in choosing the method of the teaching”. Winarno Surahmad, 1984:44 The knowledge of the methodology and technique in teaching would be essential for a teacher in order to enable himher to develop creativity and effective techniques in teaching. A foreign language teacher is not only responsible for delivering topics covered in the subject but also to provide actual model of the target language. It means that becoming an effective English teacher requires good mastery of English and effective English techniques in teaching at the same time. As the teacher, the duty is to satisfy the students to produce the best result for them. Heshe should know approach and method, which is appropriate to bring lesson. Teaching learning process should be varied to motivate the students and make them feel that English is not difficult but fun to learn. There are many methods to make them attracted in English lesson. It will be not interesting for the students when a teacher asks them just to memorize English vocabulary in unnatural way. Based on the reason above, I choose the effectiveness of Direct Method to teach English vocabulary as my final project. The Direct Method will help teacher in preparing students to use the target language English communicatively because this methods able to make a good atmosphere in English teaching classroom. 4 Using English as much as possible in the classroom will emphasize on students that the English lesson is very different from any other lesson in the school. It will help to maintain a good English speaking atmosphere, and it also will help students focus on learning and using the language. Also, if the teacher gives them instruction, asks question, and makes comments in English, the students will have to listen carefully to what teacher say all the time. This will keep them thinking in English because we only use a language well when we think in the language. It is important to avoid translation as much as possible and make students think in that language. When teacher use classroom English, they are helping that process. It means that the Direct Method is suitable for help to maintain a good English speaking atmosphere in classroom, and also help students focus on learning and using the language. In the Direct Method, the native language should be unused in the classroom because in order to associate meaning and the target language directly, when the teacher introduces a new target language word or phrase, heshe demonstrates its meaning through the use of realia, pictures, or pantomime; heshe never translate it into the students’ native language. Because of it, vocabulary is acquired more naturally rather than memorizing word list.

1.2 Reason for Choosing the Topic