The Teaching of English in Primary Schools

 

 

Nuril Huda

 

 

In response to expressed needs of local communities, English language instruction will soon be offered in Grade 4 of primary schools in specified cities and regions throughout Indonesia. However, there appears to be a conflict between existing government policy and the results of surveys as well as actual practise. Four areas need to be clarified: the aim or objective of instruction, the choice of instruction materials, method of instruction, and teachers. The author suggests a compromise of aims. The aim of EFL instruction at the primary level should be “listening and reading”, not simply “reading”. The author argues that instructional materials used at the primary school should be different from the ones presently used in secondary schools. Use of the same materials at both the primary and secondary levels would create inefficiency of the curriculum and boredom among students. Primary level EFL instruction should emphasize aural-oral skills and should involve an approach meaningful to young learners. To achieve stated objectives, students should receive maximum exposure to the English language in natural communication contexts. Therefore, EFL instruction in primary schools should be the responsibility of professional English teachers, these to be drawn from the ranks of secondary schools EFL teachers of the same regional groups.

 

 

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Huda, N. (1994). The teaching of English in primary schools: Issues and problems. TEFLIN Journal, 6(2), 1994.

 

 

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