AN ANALYSIS ON ENGLISH TEXTBOOK ENTITLED STAIRWAY: A FUN AND EASY ENGLISH BOOK An Analysis On English Textbook Entitled Stairway: A Fun And Easy English Book For Grade II Of Elementary School Based On Rajan’s Theory.

AN ANALYSIS ON ENGLISH TEXTBOOK

ENTITLED STAIRWAY: A FUN AND EASY ENGLISH BOOK

FOR GRADE II OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

BASED ON RAJAN’S THEORY

PUBLICATION ARTICLE

Submitted as a Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for Getting Bachelor Degree of Education

in English Department

by

Dwi Vianita Rosari A320100131

SCHOOL OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION MUHAMMADIYAH UNIVERSITY OF SURAKARTA

AN ANALYSIS ON ENGLISH TEXTBOOK ENTITLED “STAIRWAY: A FUN AND EASY ENGLISH

BOOK FOR GRADE II OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL” BASED ON RAJAN’S THEORY

by

Dwi Vianita Rosari A320100131 vianietha@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

This research paper is mainly intended to find out whether the English textbook used for the second year students of Elementary school entitled Stairway: A Fun and Easy English Book for Grade II of Elementary School is compatible or not with the indicators of good materials design suggested by Rajan.

This research applies descriptive research. In collecting data, the writer did content analysis. The data were analyzed by steps, (1) presenting the materials (2) comparing the materials (3) judging whether materials of English textbook appropriate with the indicators of good materials design suggested by Rajan or not (4) drawing conclusions.

The result of the analysis shows that the percentage of the compatibility of language skills developed in the textbook is 65,90% it means the textbook is good in developing language skills as suggested by Rajan. The language skill which are developed in the textbook involve the compatibility of the listening materials are 72,72% or good, the compatibility of the reading materials are 63,63% or good, the compatibility of speaking materials are 63,63% or good and the compatibility of writing materials are 63,63% or good. This research implies the textbook entitled “Stairway: A Fun and Easy English Book” for the second year students of Elementary School is good materials to support the learning process.

A. Introduction

In learning English at schools, textbooks are the key component. Textbook is an important resource. It is foundation of school instruction and the primary source of information for students and teachers. Textbook serves as one of the main instruments for shaping knowledge, attitudes and disciplines of the students.

A textbook means a created material designed as materials for teaching learning process in order to increase the learners’ knowledge and experience. “Textbooks are best seen as a source in achieving aims and objectives that have already been set in terms of learner needs” (Cunningsworth, 1995:7). Textbook also can be defined as a book prepared for school’s students in teaching learning process.

There are so many English textbooks that are used in teaching- learning process. The writer chooses Stairway; A Fun and Easy English Book for Grade II of Elementary School published by Platinum, because the book is designed to encourage the students to develop their competency in four language skills. This book introduces and enriches the words and expressions for the students of the second year that is related to language functions for introducing oneself and others, counting and using numbers, mentioning toys, identifying vegetables, etc. Each unit is designed to have the following sub units: Come On, Passwords, Exercise, Grab the Stars, Let Us Try, Useful Expressions, and Fun Time. The unit also has supportive materials for the time being discussed such as More to Know, Around the World, Creative Hands, Glossary, and Chapters Review. To asses the learning progress, reflection is provided in the las part of the unit for the students to complete personally.

Based on the problem above the writer compares the material in the textbook with good criteria textbook based Rajan Theory, whether or not the textbook is appropriate with Rajan’s criteria. Based on the reasons, the writer decides to conduct a research entitled An Analysis on English

Textbook Entitled “Stairway: A Fun and Easy English Book for Grade II of Elementary School” Published by Tiga Serangkai Based on Rajan Theory.

This research has two problem statemenst, such as: (1) Are the materials in English textbook entitled Stairway: A Fun and Easy English Book for Grade II of Elementary School compatible with the good materials design suggested by Rajan ? (2) Does the material design facilitate the students for achieving the competencies?

The objective of this reseacrh, is: (1) To describe the compatibility of materials design in English Textbook entitled Stairway; A Fun and Easy English Book for Grade II of Elementary School with the criteria of good materials design by Rajan. (2) to explain the materials design facilitates the students for achieving the competencies.

B. English Textbook 1. Notion of Textbook

Based on the definition of textbook written by Echols and Sadily (1983:584) in Tarigan (1986:11), “textbook is the handbook for the learners.” The other statement textbook is from Bascon (1953) in Tarigan (1986:11) states that “textbook is designed for the use in the clasroom, being arranged and prepared carefully by the experts in the field and being completed with teaching aids that are suitable and compatible.”

2. Function of Textbook

Textbooks give benefits to increase the student’s ability in English. The special benefits of textbooks, according to Buckingham (1958:15-18) in Tarigan (1986:16) are textbooks give

1) the opportunities to study it appropriate with the learner’s ability.

2) the opportunities to review it.

3) the possibility to inverstigate the learner’s memory. 4) the casy to make the notes.

3. Textbook Evaluation

The evaluation is important to know the purpose and the function of the materials which are used in the teaching-learning process. The evaluation of the English textbook is to know the function of English textbook. It can increase the student’s ability in learning English.

C. Good Materials Design

According to Byrd (2002:417) in Fauziati (2010:210) “textbooks are for students.” To meet their needs, the textbook must not only contain language skills demanded by the curicculum but it also must fit the needs of the students. Greene and Petty (1985) in Tarigan (1993:20-21) explain the criteria of good textbook. They are as follows :

a. The textbook must be interesting and attractive toward the learners. So, they will be interested in using textbook. b. The textbook must be able to motivate the learners. c. The content of textbook must be illustrative.

d. The textbook should consider the linguistic aspect. So, it

will be suitable with the learner’s ability.

e. The content of textbook must be related to the other branch of the science.

f. The textbook must stimulate the personal activity of the learners.

g. The content of textbook must be clear to avoid the learners will be confused in using textbook.

h. The textbook must have clear point of view because it will be the learner’s point of view.

i. The textbook must be able to provide the balance and it must emphasize values to the learners.

j.

The textbook must be able to respect to the differences of the individual.

D. Rajan’s Theory of Materials Design

Good materials don’t teach but good materials can motivate a learner to learn. The criteria of good materials design based on Rajan (2003:IV) like the MAGIC. The meaning of MAGIC is as follows,

M = Motivating, and Meaningful A = Authentic, and Appropriate

G = Graphic, and Graded

I = Interesting, Interactive, and Integrated C = Contextualized, and Creative

a. Motivating

The meaning of motivating is a good material should motivate learners to learn by themselves. It can achieve when the materials contain the words or sentences that can motivate the students to learn the materials more.

b. Meaningful

The meaning of meaningful is a good material should be useful to the learner. It means that the materials should help the learners to increase their ability in language.

c. Authentic

The meaning of authentic is a good material should contain the original language by native speaker. It means that the learners can improve the language skills from the native speaker.

d. Appropriate

The meaning of appropriate is a good material should be suitable for the learner’s level and learner’s need. The materials should contain the materials which learner’s need in the teaching and compatible with the learners level.

e. Graphic

The meaning of graphic is a good material should be presented with the diagram or table. The materials in the textbook should be organized and easy to learn for the learner.

f. Graded

The meaning of graded is a good material should be arranged systematically. It means that the materials in the textbook should be compatible of the materials organize.

g. Interesting

The meaning of interesting is a good materials can influent the learners attention. The material should be able to attract the attention of students to learn it.The materials should be able to attract the attention of students to learn it.

h. Integrated

The meaning of integrated is a good material should cover four language skills and language aspects. The materials of the textbook should contain the basic language skills in English.

i. Interactive

The meaning of interactive is a good material can make an interaction, communication, conversation between learner-teacher and teacher-learner.

j. Contextualized

The meaning of contextualized is a good materials should be suitable with the place and the time. The materials of the textbook must be suitable with the learners activity.

k. Creative

The meaning of creative is a good material should open the new horizon of the learner. The good materials are the materials which create the students creativity in learning English.

From the explanation above, the writer concludes that the good materials design should be suitable with the learners needs and the good materials should contain the materials which help to open a new mind to the learners.

E. RESEARCH METHOD

The writer use descriptive research as the of type reseacrh. This research describes the analysis of the materials in English textbook entitled “Starway: A Fun and Easy English Book” for Grade II of Elementary

School”. The object of the research is the materials of the textbook entitled “Starway; A Fun and Easy English Book” for Grade II of Elementary School” (2012) published by Tiga Serangkai.. The data of the research is the English materials found in English textbook Starway.

The method of collecting data, the writer uses the content analysis. The writer selects and encodes the materials of English textbook, then the writer selects the compatibility of materials design with the good materials design based on Rajan theory.

F. RESEARCH FINDING AND DISCUSSION 1. Research Finding

The research finding presents the analysis of data based on the problem of the study. In analyzing this study, the writer uses the indicators of good materials design suggested by Rajan. The writer analyzes the compatibility of material design (listening, speaking, reading, and writing materials) in the textbook entitled “Stairway: A Fun and Easy English Book” for Grade II of Elementary School” with the indicator of good materials design suggested by Rajan.

a. Motivating

The conversation above shows that this material is compatible with the criteria of good materials design suggested by Rajan. This conversation can motivate the learner because in the conversation above the learner can learn the technique of giving reply orally, it makes the learner can understand the spoken expression to greet others.

b. Meaningful

Listen and repeat. (C5/ES/P79)

The material above is compatible with indicators of good materials design by suggested by Rajan. The material above is meaningful because from the material above, the learner can learn antonym of something.

c. Appropriate

Listen and put the correct numbers. The first has been done for you. (C9/ES/P142)

The material above is compatible with the criteria of good material design suggested by Rajan, because the material is suitable with the learner needed because student can add vocabulary about days of the week. The students are required to listen and put the correct numbers. So, after the students learn this material, the students can mention about days of the week.

d. Graphic

This material is good for the students because it is presented with a table. The students are asked to fill in the blanks in the table based on information. By the table, the students are easier to learn the material. So, the material is compatible with the criteria of material design suggested by Rajan.

e. Graded

Listen and write.(C1/ES/P34)

The material above is compatible with the criteria of good material design suggested by Rajan. The material teaches the student to respond simple instruction verbally. The students are required to listen and write the answer based on information. The students did not only learn listening but also writing.

f. Interesting

The material above is compatible with the criteria of good material design suggested by Rajan, because this material can attract the attention of learners. This material presents a good colorful picture. The students are required to combine people with the food based on information.

g. Contextualize

Listen and repeat.(C12/ES/185)

The material above is compatible with the criteria of good material design suggested by Rajan. It contains students activity everyday, such as singing, eating, drinking, walking, studying, playing, writing, and running. The material is suitable with time and place because the students do activities everyday.

h. Creative

The material above is compatible with the criteria of good material design suggested by Rajan. The material above is creative because this material can open the intelligence to think and try to answer the lesson from the teacher.

2. Discussion of the Finding

After analyzing the data of materials in the English Textbook entitled “Starway: A Fun and Easy English Book” for Grade II of Elementary School which are appropriate with those criteria of good materials design suggested by Rajan, the writer finds that the books fulfill 29 indicators. The percentage is 65,90%. It means that the materials in the textbook are good or compatible with the good materials design suggested by Rajan. The branch discussion research findings are:

a. Listening Skill Materials

The English textbook entitled “Stairway: A Fun and Easy English Book” for Grade II of Elementary School has 8 indicators out of 11 indicators suggested by Rajan. The percentage of listening skill indicators in the English textbook is 72,72%. It means that the English textbook is good and compatible with the good materials design suggested by Rajan.

b. Speaking Skill Materials

The speaking materials in the English textbook “Stairway: A Fun and Easy English Book” for Grade II of Elementary School have 7 indicators out of 11 indicators suggested by Rajan. The percentage of speaking skill indicators in the English textbook is 63,63%. It means that the English textbook is good or compatible with the good materials design suggested by Rajan.

c. Reading Skill Materials

The Reading materials in the English textbook “Stairway: A Fun and Easy English Book” for Grade II of Elementary School have 7 indicators out of 11 indicators suggested by Rajan. The percentage

of reading skill indicators in the English textbook is 63,63%. It means that the English textbook is good or compatible with the good materials design suggested by Rajan.

d. Writing Skill Materials

The writing materials in the English textbook “Stairway: A Fun and Easy English Book” for Grade II of Elementary School have 7 indicators out of 11 indicators suggested by Rajan. The percentage of writing skill indicators in the English textbook is 63,63%. It means that the English textbook is good or compatible with the good materials design suggested by Rajan.

G. CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION

1. Conclusion

After analyzing language skill materials in the textbook entitled “Stairway: A Fun and Easy English Book” for Grade II of Elementary School, the writer can draw some conclusions based on the research finding as follows:

a. The compatibility of Material Design in English textbook with the Criteria of Good Materials Design Suggested by Rajan:

1. Listening Materials

The compatibility of listening skill material has 8 indicators out of 11 indicators or 72,72%.

2. Speaking Skill Materials

The percentage of speaking skill indicators in the English textbook is 63,63%. It means that the English textbook is good or compatible with the good materials design suggested by Rajan. 3. Reading Skill Materials

The percentage of reading skill indicators in the English textbook is 63,63%. It means that the English textbook is good or compatible with the good materials design suggested by Rajan.

4. Writing Skill Materials

The percentage of writing skill indicators in the English textbook is 63,63%. It means that the English textbook is good or compatible with the good materials design suggested by Rajan. 5. The Materials Design Facilitate the Students for Achieving the

Competencies. b. Listening Materials

The listening material in the textbook can create the creativity from the students to achieve the basic competency of listening skill.

c. Speaking Materials

In speaking materials, the learner can learn the way for good speaking. From the speaking exercises in the textbook, the students can employ their ability in speaking well. So, the speaking materials in the textbook is good to help the students for achieving the competency.

d. Reading Materials

The reading material in the textbook contains the simple text which is easy to understand by the learner. So, the reading materials in the textbook is good to help the students for achieving the competency. So, the reading materials in the textbook are good to increase the students’ ability in achieving the competency of speaking skill.

e. Writing Materials

The writing material in the textbok contains the simple sentence. It can make the students easy to understand the material. So, the writing material in the textbook is good to help the students for achieving the competency.

2. Suggestion

The writer gives some suggestions to the person who has relation with this research. The suggestions are:

a. For the Elementary English teacher

The English teacher should be able to choose a suitable textbook for the students and it is appropriate with the level. So, the students will be more interested in learning and able to understand the material. b. For the author of English Textbook

The author should improve the innovation in the textbook with complete cassetes which contain sound of native speaker. So, the students will be able to improve their listening and speaking skill. c. For the next researcher

For the next researchers, who are interested in analyzing textbooks, this study limits on the compatibility the materials of English textbook with the criteria of good material design sugested by Rajan. The next researchers can study in other aspects not only compatibility but also in grammatical, contextual learning, pronunciation, vocabulary, and others.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Arikunto, Suharsini. 1996. Prosedur Penelitian: Suatu Pendekatan Praktek. Jakarta: Ricka Cipta.

Cunningsworth, Alan. 1984. Evaluating and Selecting English Foreign Language Teaching Material. New York: Masemillan.

Dewi, Ida Kusuma, dkk. 2012. Stairway: A Fun and Easy English Book. Solo: PT. Tiga Serangkai Pustaka Mandiri.

Fauziati, Endang. 2010. Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). Surakarta: PT. Era Pustaka Utama.

Moleong, Lexy. J. 1989. Metodologi Penelitian Kualitatif. Bandung: Remaja Karya CV.

Qodri, Layla. 2009. A Study on the English Textbook for the Fourth Year Students of Elementary School Based on the School-Based Curriculum (SBC). Surakarta: Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta.

Rahayu. 2012. Task Analysis on Workbook Entitled "Satria" for Junior High School Used in Klaten Regency Based on The Criteria of Good Tasks Suggested by Candlin. Surakarta: Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta.

Rajan, Sundara. 2003. Material Design. SEAMO. Regional Language Centre. Septianawati. 2008 The Evaluation of English Textbook for the First Year

Students of Vocational School Based on the School Level based Curriculum.Surakarta: Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta.

Tomlinson, Brian.1998. Material Development in Language Teaching. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.

The material above is compatible with the criteria of good material design suggested by Rajan, because this material can attract the attention of learners. This material presents a good colorful picture. The students are required to combine people with the food based on information.

g. Contextualize

Listen and repeat.(C12/ES/185)

The material above is compatible with the criteria of good material design suggested by Rajan. It contains students activity everyday, such as singing, eating, drinking, walking, studying, playing, writing, and running. The material is suitable with time and place because the students do activities everyday.

h. Creative

The material above is compatible with the criteria of good material design suggested by Rajan. The material above is creative because this material can open the intelligence to think and try to answer the lesson from the teacher.

2. Discussion of the Finding

After analyzing the data of materials in the English Textbook entitled “Starway: A Fun and Easy English Book” for Grade II of Elementary School which are appropriate with those criteria of good materials design suggested by Rajan, the writer finds that the books fulfill 29 indicators. The percentage is 65,90%. It means that the materials in the textbook are good or compatible with the good materials design suggested by Rajan. The branch discussion research findings are:

a. Listening Skill Materials

The English textbook entitled “Stairway: A Fun and Easy English Book” for Grade II of Elementary School has 8 indicators out of 11 indicators suggested by Rajan. The percentage of listening skill indicators in the English textbook is 72,72%. It means that the English textbook is good and compatible with the good materials design suggested by Rajan.

b. Speaking Skill Materials

The speaking materials in the English textbook “Stairway: A Fun and Easy English Book” for Grade II of Elementary School have 7 indicators out of 11 indicators suggested by Rajan. The percentage of speaking skill indicators in the English textbook is 63,63%. It means that the English textbook is good or compatible with the good materials design suggested by Rajan.

c. Reading Skill Materials

The Reading materials in the English textbook “Stairway: A Fun and Easy English Book” for Grade II of Elementary School have

of reading skill indicators in the English textbook is 63,63%. It means that the English textbook is good or compatible with the good materials design suggested by Rajan.

d. Writing Skill Materials

The writing materials in the English textbook “Stairway: A Fun and Easy English Book” for Grade II of Elementary School have 7 indicators out of 11 indicators suggested by Rajan. The percentage of writing skill indicators in the English textbook is 63,63%. It means that the English textbook is good or compatible with the good materials design suggested by Rajan.

G. CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION 1. Conclusion

After analyzing language skill materials in the textbook entitled “Stairway: A Fun and Easy English Book” for Grade II of Elementary School, the writer can draw some conclusions based on the research finding as follows:

a. The compatibility of Material Design in English textbook with the Criteria of Good Materials Design Suggested by Rajan:

1. Listening Materials

The compatibility of listening skill material has 8 indicators out of 11 indicators or 72,72%.

2. Speaking Skill Materials

The percentage of speaking skill indicators in the English textbook is 63,63%. It means that the English textbook is good or compatible with the good materials design suggested by Rajan. 3. Reading Skill Materials

The percentage of reading skill indicators in the English textbook is 63,63%. It means that the English textbook is good or compatible with the good materials design suggested by Rajan.

4. Writing Skill Materials

The percentage of writing skill indicators in the English textbook is 63,63%. It means that the English textbook is good or compatible with the good materials design suggested by Rajan. 5. The Materials Design Facilitate the Students for Achieving the

Competencies. b. Listening Materials

The listening material in the textbook can create the creativity from the students to achieve the basic competency of listening skill.

c. Speaking Materials

In speaking materials, the learner can learn the way for good speaking. From the speaking exercises in the textbook, the students can employ their ability in speaking well. So, the speaking materials in the textbook is good to help the students for achieving the competency.

d. Reading Materials

The reading material in the textbook contains the simple text which is easy to understand by the learner. So, the reading materials in the textbook is good to help the students for achieving the competency. So, the reading materials in the textbook are good to increase the students’ ability in achieving the competency of speaking skill.

e. Writing Materials

The writing material in the textbok contains the simple sentence. It can make the students easy to understand the material. So, the writing material in the textbook is good to help the students for achieving the competency.

2. Suggestion

a. For the Elementary English teacher

The English teacher should be able to choose a suitable textbook for the students and it is appropriate with the level. So, the students will be more interested in learning and able to understand the material. b. For the author of English Textbook

The author should improve the innovation in the textbook with complete cassetes which contain sound of native speaker. So, the students will be able to improve their listening and speaking skill. c. For the next researcher

For the next researchers, who are interested in analyzing textbooks, this study limits on the compatibility the materials of English textbook with the criteria of good material design sugested by Rajan. The next researchers can study in other aspects not only compatibility but also in grammatical, contextual learning, pronunciation, vocabulary, and others.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Arikunto, Suharsini. 1996. Prosedur Penelitian: Suatu Pendekatan Praktek. Jakarta: Ricka Cipta.

Cunningsworth, Alan. 1984. Evaluating and Selecting English Foreign Language Teaching Material. New York: Masemillan.

Dewi, Ida Kusuma, dkk. 2012. Stairway: A Fun and Easy English Book. Solo: PT. Tiga Serangkai Pustaka Mandiri.

Fauziati, Endang. 2010. Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). Surakarta: PT. Era Pustaka Utama.

Moleong, Lexy. J. 1989. Metodologi Penelitian Kualitatif. Bandung: Remaja Karya CV.

Qodri, Layla. 2009. A Study on the English Textbook for the Fourth Year Students of Elementary School Based on the School-Based Curriculum (SBC). Surakarta: Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta.

Rahayu. 2012. Task Analysis on Workbook Entitled "Satria" for Junior High School Used in Klaten Regency Based on The Criteria of Good Tasks Suggested by Candlin. Surakarta: Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta.

Rajan, Sundara. 2003. Material Design. SEAMO. Regional Language Centre. Septianawati. 2008 The Evaluation of English Textbook for the First Year

Students of Vocational School Based on the School Level based Curriculum.Surakarta: Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta.

Tomlinson, Brian.1998. Material Development in Language Teaching. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.