Are You Afraid of English?

Well, this question is actually addressed to Indonesian students learning the English language, and by no means English people. English is a frightening subject as schools and universities in Indonesian context. Despite the fact that English school curriculum has been frequently reformed, the students remain unable to carry on daily English conversation. Let us await the latest approach to teaching English as a foreign language in Indonesia: Discourse Approach.

Discourse approach is relatively new to Indonesian. Teachers are now busy with equipping themselves in order to comply with this new approach. Many trainings on the subject have been conducted to help them get familiar with terms used in the discourse approach since most of the teachers were educated using 'traditional grammar' approach.

With this new approach, there is no reason for the students to be afraid of English. Lessons are presented in a well-sequenced plan with a lot of practice in really using the language, rather then theorizing how to use the language. Language, as stated by functionalists, is used to make meanings of three domains: ideational, interpersonal and textual. Come on, students. Don't be afraid of English. Visit a blog specializing in how to study English with success.  Or, email me if you have any questions about English.

For teachers who want to upgrade their knowledge about discourse may click on the following links.
An Introduction to Discourse Analysis: Theory and Method
Discourse Analysis (Introducing Linguistics)
English Language Teaching Materials: Theory and Practice (Cambridge Language Education)
A Course in Language Teaching: Practice of Theory (Cambridge Teacher Training and Development)
I personally will be happy to hear that Indonesia has many people who master English as a means of going international.