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Learning methods used in Kumon English Course are independent learning, drilling
,
and study-habit. However, the researcher focuses on the independent learning. Independent learning is also known as autonomy. According to
Rousseau, autonomy is a precondition for effective learning. When learners succeed in developing autonomy, they do not only become better language
learners but they also develop into more responsible and critical members of the communities in which they live as cited in Benson, 2001, p. 1 Those theories
will help the researcher to have evaluation processes. The discussion of the characteristics of young learners based on Halliwell
1992, p. 3-5 is also needed since this research deals with the activity of English language learning carried out for young learners. The understanding of the
characteristics of young English language learners is needed by the researcher to understand the participants of this study. The participants of this study are
children who are studying English at Kumon English Course. These characteristics help the researcher to understand the participants, their answers,
and statements related to their perceptions and learning needs. The stimuli which shape the learners’ perception is the English teaching-
learning activities carried out at Kumon English Course. Therefore, the researcher also discusses Kumon English Course. The background, curriculum, and
explanation about the learning method in Kumon English Course are needed because Kumon English Course is the setting of this research.
21
How do the students perceive the implementation of independent learning in Kumon English Course
? Do they perceive this teaching-learning process positively or negatively? According to Altman et al. 1985, the way the students
perceive on something influences their behavioral responses. Students’ positive or negative responses depend on something. Positive perception may lead to positive
behavioral responses that may hold up teaching-learning activities and achieve the goal of the course. Those theories facilitate the research to answer the questions
research in the previous chapter.
22
CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The purpose of chapter III is to explain the method used to answer the three questions stated in chapter I. In this part, the researcher explains each part of the
research methodology including what research method is used, how many participants are taken for this research, what research instruments are used and
how the data are gathered and analyzed.
A. Research Method
In order to answer the problems stated in the research problem, the researcher employed a survey study. According to Ary, Jacobs, Sorensen, and
Razavieh 2002, survey study is a study that permitted the researcher to summarize or measure the characteristics, attitudes, and opinions of several
different groups toward some issues p. 375. The survey study was used in this research because it could improve the assumption by providing timely and
accurate information and the validity can also be checked. There were two instruments used in the survey research: interview and questionnaire. After
interviewed some instructors, the researcher distributed questionnaire to the students. Then, the researcher interviewed some students to get deeper responses
towards the independent learning implemented in Kumon English Course. The researcher also used library study to gain the information toward the
improvement of teaching-learning process in Kumon English Course. The researcher combined qualitative and quantitative approach to obtain the data
23 needed. Therefore, in this research, the researcher interpreted the data gathered
from the participants in the form of number and verbal description.
B. Research Participants
The participants in this research were 4 instructors and 30 students in Kumon English Course.
Firstly, the researcher interviewed 4 instructors to find out how the independent learning method implemented. Then, to find out the
students’ perception of the independent learning, the researcher distributed questioners to 30 students who were 6 up to 12 years old. Because of the
limitation of students in each Kumon English Course which had students who were in that range age, the research was conducted in Kumon Jatimulyo. It was
because Kumon Jatimulyo had a lot of students in English class rather than other Kumon English Course
.
C. Research Instruments
In gathering the data, the researcher needed two types of instruments. The instruments helped the researcher to answer the problems in this research. The
instruments were explained as follows:
1. Interview
The first instrument was an interview. According to Ary et al. 2002, two basic types of questions are used in an interview according to the nature of the
response desired from the participants p. 389. They are open-ended and closed questions. Open-ended questions permitted a free response from the participants
24 to answer. In a closed question interview, the interviewer read the question and
presented the participants with various alternative response options. This research conducted an interview twice; first, to answer the first
research question, the researcher interviewed 4 instructors and second, to get detail information toward the implementation of independent learning in Kumon
English Course , the researcher interviewed 5 students. The participants were free
to answer. The researcher used simple to make the participants understand and then answer the questions. The questions were in Indonesian because the
participants did not master in English. The first interview, the researcher interviewed 4 instructors in Kumon Jati
Mulyo to find out how independent learning was applied in Kumon English
Course. In table 3.1, the researcher made a blueprint of interview. This blueprint
was used to draw a line about what would researcher ask to the participants.
Table 3.1 Blueprint of Interview Form
Second interview was used to ensure and re check students’ responses in the
researcher employed open-ended questions. It was conducted after distributing questionnaires to verify the result of the questionnaire. In this section, the
researcher interviewed 5 students who had answered the questionnaire.
No. Questions
Descriptions
1. 1 to 6
These questions asked about how the implementation of independent learning in Kumon English Course
2. 7 to 8
These questions collected data about the instructors’ roles 3.
9 to 10 These questions collected data about parents’ roles
4. 11 to 12
These two questions asked about the advantages and disadvantages of independent learning for students
5. 13 to 15
These questions asked about the responses of the students about independent learning in Kumon English Course
