When the Russian succeeded to launch Sputnik in 1957, Senator John F. Kennedy, asked the Congress a historical question : “What is wrong in our classrooms?”. This question made a historical change in the education system in United States. Unfortunately, the leaders of our country did not have the same concern about the education in Indonesia. Nobody in the government used their authority to question why Indonesians still cannot use English properly after 12 years of study. There are three factors that make us have difficulties using the language, is a mistake in how we are being taught in classrooms, not practicing it in their daily activity, and do not have a reading habit.
The first factor is the mistake in how we are being taught in the classrooms. In our education, studying English is focused on the understanding in grammar and English rules. Students are taught to memorize rules, such as Past Tense, Past Continuous Tense, Present Tense, Future Tense etc. Although grammar is important in learning English, but teaching the structure in beginning may have consequences on the students fluency to communicate in English. The second obstacles in our classroom is that students are not being taught by qualified teachers to teach English. Teachers are the core of education. In countries that use English as a first language, the United States, Britain, and Australia, to become a teacher, a person must hold a degree in a higher education. This is to ensure that the teacher have sufficient knowledge and good understanding in the language. They must also be very fluent in speaking. This is very helpful to make the students learn the language. Here in Indonesia, the government has no teaching standards for teaching English. Anyone who is capable to speak in English, even though he/she might not have any teaching experience, is allowed to teach, especially in English courses that are now blooming. The third mistake in the classroom is the material. Many English books used in classrooms today have grammatical mistakes that may be damaging for the students to learn. Many book editors translate English Text book from without having any experience living in the countries that use English as a first language.
To master a language, a person must practice using it as much as possible. The second factor that Indonesian are facing is the finding a partner who is willing to communicate in English. Although there are many Indonesians, especially the youth, who are capable to speak in English, it is difficult to find one who is willing to use English and become a partner using it. Most would prefer to speak in Bahasa Indonesia, the native language. They are also afraid to be called arrogant by their friends if they use English in their daily communication. Besides that, Indonesians are also afraid to make mistakes and be laughed at by friends when a word is spoken mistakenly or a statement is said in a wrong grammatical structure. Some become discouraged to use it again in the future.
The third and most fundamental factor is that Indonesians does not have a reading habit. Public schools are not supported with facilities that encourage students to read. In school libraries, it is difficult to find English books on the bookshelves. The condition of the library are often very dirty and not supported with chairs and tables for students to read. In the United States, for example, students are encouraged to read books. Public schools are supported with libraries that have up-to date books and make students feel comfortable reading them. The government work hand in hand with the private sector to develop a reading habit for students since their elementary education. Through the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs, companies provide financial aid or books to support the schools in their efforts to develop a reading habit for the students. For most Indonesians, books are still categorized as a luxurious object. The cost of English books are usually very expensive. The government does not give enough subsidies for imported books. Because of its expensive cost, most citizens can not afford to buy the books. Lack of English skills is the third reason why Indonesians don’t like to read English literatures. The enjoyment of reading is having the ability to understand the writer’s message. Without having the knowledge, it would be almost impossible for one to understand what is being read.
In conclusion, there are three factors why most Indonesians still have difficulty using English even after 12 years learning it, a mistake in our Curriculum, not practicing it in their daily activity, and do not have a reading habit. Therefore, the government should make serious efforts to improve the curriculum and encourage the citizens to read, so that Indonesians can use the language fluently.
Salahuddin Hutomo
Note : This essay is a personal view from the writer.
