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to be understood by the students. Comprehensibility of materials is characterized by a heavy use of instructional media. Brinton in Richards and Rodgers
2001:215 added that sometimes materials may need modification in order to ensure maximum comprehensibility.
4. Text-Based Instruction
Based on the basic competences in English curriculum 2013, the students are required to master the four language skills in a variety of context for
varied purposes using a range of text types and language functions. Concerning this, Text-Based Instruction approach should be taken into account.
Text-Based Instruction sees communicative competence as involving the mastery of different types of texts Richards, 2006:32. Texts can be defined as
structured sequences of language that are used in particular contexts and ways. Spoken texts may cover conversation with friends and family, telephone call,
presentation in workplace, etc. Written texts can be in the form of letters, information in newspaper, journals, etc.
5. English Learning Materials a. Definition
Materials become very crucial part in English teaching and learning. They help the students to expose themselves to language. Start from
comprehending what language is, the students can expand their knowledge to the use of language through materials they learn.
There are several definitions of materials proposed by some experts. Richard and Rodgers 2001:79 view materials as a way to influencing the quality
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of classroom interaction and language use. Tomlinson 1998:2 defines materials as any tools in the forms of both audio-video and printed- no printed things that
are used to facilitate the learning of the language, not only restricted to course books. For examples: CD-ROMs, dictionaries grammar books, workbooks,
photocopied exercises, etc.
b. Criteria of Good English Learning Materials
Defining good materials can be done by first defining the objective of them, the purpose of the materials. This begins from a question “what are
materials supposed to do?” Hutchinson and Waters 1987:107 identify some principles of the materials objectives:
1 Materials attract the students to learn. They give a stimulus to learning, good materials should have interesting texts, fun activities, many chances for the
students to actualize their knowledge and skills, and content which can involve the students and teacher together,
2 Materials should be systematic, well-organized to support the teaching-learning process. They provide coherent unit structure which will guide the students
through various activities to maximize the chances to learn. A material must be clear and flexible without ignoring creativity and variety,
3 Materials consider the nature of language and learning, 4 Materials reflect the nature of the learning task,
5 Materials can provide a useful function that makes the teacher possible to expand her training basis,
