41 comprehend topic. The Biology lecturer stated to the class at first that she would
use mixed language between English and Indonesian as the instructional mean in the class. But, eventually, she continued using Indonesian most of the time and
leaving only less than 40 in English. However, she still tried to use English in asking students to present their own interpretation towards the material and also to
answer the questions, and in providing the videos projected.
c. The Emphasis of the Language Use
Based on the interview conducted with the teaching team, the international class in SMAN 3 Yogyakarta put greater prominence on the written language
rather than the spoken language. Hence, writing had bigger portion than speaking. The students in the international class were expected and considered to be able to
compose their practice reports, to do the exercises and tests or quizzes in English without having too many quandaries. To support the expectation, all of the
modules that are given to the students were written in English. Therefore, even though almost all of the explanation in class was delivered in Indonesian by the
regular teachers and most of the visiting lecturers, it was expected that the students did not have any difficulties in the register of the subject employed
within the course with the modules’ contribution. The international classes of SMAN 3 Yogyakarta emphasized on students’
written English skill because the school was considering the situation that most of the teachers in international class did not have enough competence in English
Skills. Most of the teachers were not ready to speak in correct and acceptable PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
42 English and in conducting the teaching-learning process in English for the whole
time in the class. The situation, however, happened since the policy makers in that school put into consideration the fact that the majority of students encountered
difficulty in having English as the main communicative and instructional language in class and school environment all the time. But, the main reason of this
particular system was still because of the situation where the teachers were unable to employ full English class. However, based on the interview, it was stated that
there will be an improvement and adjustment in the system every year. The policy makers are improving the system by adding the English exposure for the students,
including the English exposure by the regular teachers and lecturers. They hoped that in the following years, the international classes will improve their quality and
they are able to employ full English in the teaching-learning process. Therefore, students of the international class who obtain full English exposure will have
sufficient comprehension in written English along with the improvement in their spoken English.
There is another reason of putting aside students’ development and comprehension in spoken language and paying more attention in students’ written
language. In the teaching team’s opinion, the higher and further the students’ education, the bigger portion of writing and reading skill capability and
comprehension are needed. Spoken language mastery only plays minor role in their higher education. The background of their premise came up from the fact
and consideration that students, especially who study abroad, will need to read scientific literature written in English and write their own report or thesis in
43 scientific English more often than they need to communicate orally in English.
Therefore, the teachers have to familiarize the students with the English scientific literature.
Thus, from what the researcher found during the observations and interviews with the teaching team and the students in the international class, the
researcher concluded that the definition of language used within this international class program is in text and discourse based. According to the definition of
language in Content-based Instruction discussed in the previous Review of Related Literature, the third definition is also applied here. This definition of
language as something purposeful and may be used for specific purpose. In this situation, the purpose is to achieve the capability to reach the understanding in
higher education. Hence, the view of language as the combination of several skills was not demonstrated and applied within the implementation of international class
in SMAN 3 Yogyakarta.
2. The Implemented Principles of Content-Based Instruction in the International Class of
