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that the use of pictures in teaching English to young learners was not optimal yet, therefore it needed some recommendations in order to improve and to maximize the
use of pictures in teaching. In order to give clear description, the researcher would categorize the recommendations into two points; they were recommendations in
selecting the pictures and recommendations for the teachers of young learners.
a. Recommendations in selecting pictures
Most teachers believed that there were some suggestions in selecting the pictures in order to improve the use of pictures in teaching. Firstly, the pictures
should be simple and clear to avoid misunderstanding of the young learners. Some of the teachers wrote on their questionnaires that the pictures should represent the object
being discussed. One of them wrote, “I think the pictures should really represent the words or material, such as vocabularies list, instead of leading the students into
confusion.” Respondent 10. This opinion was supported by the other teacher who suggested that the pictures should be clear to ease the students in remembering the
material being taught. The other recommendation in selecting the pictures was that the pictures
should be interesting and eye-catching. Interesting meant that the pictures were colorful whereas eye-catching meant that the pictures can be seen clearly by the
learners and can also attract student attention. Most of teachers agreed that colorful pictures would attract students’ interest in learning. This fact could be seen from the
result that seven other respondents supported this idea. One of teachers wrote, “In my
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opinion, teaching using pictures is very suitable for young learners especially if the pictures are colorful and attractive.” Respondent 4. Besides, the size of the pictures
also became the consideration in choosing the pictures. They said that it would be better to choose the bigger pictures when teachers had a big class by considering the
amount of the students and the distance between the teacher and the students.
b. Recommendations for the teachers
Besides recommendations in selecting pictures, most of teachers also provided some suggestions for the teachers who taught young learners using pictures. Some of
the teachers wrote on their questionnaire that teachers be more selective in selecting the pictures by considering the children‘s characteristics. One of the teachers wrote,
“It would
be better
if teachers
choose the
pictures related
to their
characteristic.”Respondent 1. The other teacher added that teachers should know students’ interests, cultures and characteristics in order to avoid boredom and
misunderstanding. The other recommendation was that teachers should be creative in making
various activities by using pictures. This idea was suggested by nine young learners’ teachers or almost half of the respondents in this research. One of them shared on
their questionnaire, It is easier for the teachers to get various pictures recently, but when we use it
too often, it will be boring indeed. We have to mix it with other media. The most important thing young learners’ teachers must know that the students
enjoy learning something when we present the abstract or real objects to the students with various teaching learning activities.respondent 5
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The other teacher suggested that creativity was really important in teaching young learners because young learners would get bored easily when we use the same
activities and the same media in delivering materials. One of the teachers shared her experiences in mixing the activities using pictures. She wrote,
I think teaching English using pictures is commonly used by the teachers. Therefore, it will be better if the teachers teach using pictures in different
ways. I mean in interesting ways. I often use pictures in teaching and combine it with games. It will be much more excited. Respondent 8
Therefore, by having various activities, teachers would attract students’ attentions and would create fun learning for young learners.
2. Teachers’ Recommendations to Improve and to Maximize the Use of Pictures in Teaching English to Young Learners Based on the Interview
Based on the data from interview, the researcher assumed that the data supported the data from the questionnaire. The three interviewees also suggested the
same things toward the use of pictures in teaching English to young learners. They suggested that the pictures should be interesting, clear, and simple. Moreover, they
also provided some suggestions for the teachers, such as the teachers should be creative in using pictures with various activities. Moreover, they also shared their
experiences in order to support their suggestion. One of them added one more suggestion toward the use of pictures in teaching English to young learners. She
added that it would be better to involve the students in drawing and coloring the pictures. She said,
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Kadang saya meminta anak-anak untuk mewarnai gambar yang saya berikan biar mereka juga terlibat dalam kegiatan pembelajaran, apalagi untuk anak-
anak yang masih kelas 2. Mereka kelihatan senang dan bersemangat. Nah, saya punya kebiasaan untuk meningkatkan motivasi anak-anak saya. Saya
akan meminta mereka mengumpulkan pekerjaannya dan memilih gambar yang
paling menarik
untuk ditempelkan
di papan
pengumuman kelas.Interview 2.
Sometimes I asked my students to give colors on the pictures given in order to involve them in the learning activities especially for students in the second
grade. They seemed happy and enthusiastic. In order to raise their motivation in learning, I asked them to submit their drawing and for the most beautiful
drawing will be attached on the notice board as a reward. Interviewee 2
By involving students in the activities, they would be active in learning, therefore the teaching and learning process will be more effective than teachers as the center of the
learning.
3. Discussion
