Senin, 25 Oktober 2010 Musical Intelligence and The Way to Involve It in Teaching and Learning Process Diposting oleh an.pane di 09.47

Howard Gardner is famous for his multiple intelligences theory. His full-length statement about this theory was written in his book, titled Frames of Mind, in 1983. He stated that there were eight kinds of intelligences.  It started to give a big influence to the world, especially in education, where people had a concept that human had only one kind of intelligence.

taken from educ-reality.com

One of the intelligences from Gardner’s theory is musical intelligence. In many schools, including the ones in Indonesia, students with musical intelligence are assumed to develop their skill only in a specific subject by learning how to read musical notes, play musical instruments, and compose some songs. Although this assumption does not seem completely wrong, it gives a misconception about musical intelligence. The fact is students who likes singing, listening to music, and imitating songs’ beat by clapping hands, may include in this intelligence. Looking at these examples, musical intelligence can be used effectively for teaching and learning process in all subjects, including English. There are many techniques that teachers can apply to accommodate the students with this intelligence.

When I become an English teacher, I will pay attention to this intelligence by conducting some interesting activities in a classroom that can make them understand my subject. For example, the topic is about simple past tense. Firstly, I introduce the topic and explain it briefly. After that, each student is given a piece of paper that contains lyrics of a song with some blanks that they must fill with correct verbs according to the song that I will play. Next, I play a song with lyrics in past tense and they fill the blanks at the same time.  Then, I divide the class into some groups. After that, they have to discuss it together within their groups and make a list about all the things they find in the song, including the verbs’ forms and time indicators (adverbs of time).  After finishing discussion, they are asked to choose one people from each group to share the result. Then, other groups are allowed to give comments. Finally, I will ask their opinions about the song, the reason why it uses past tense, and whether it is possible to change the lyrics into other tenses. These activities have some goals, they are: improving students’ listening and speaking skill, developing their comprehension about the material (simple past tense) and their ability to work cooperatively with their peers. It also builds students’ critical thinking.

Musical intelligence can be involved in all levels since music is usually introduced from beginner level; even kindergarten students are usually introduced to songs. However, the activity like I mentioned before is appropriate for students in K-8 because of the material and the techniques. The point is musical intelligence can be applied in any levels as long as the teachers use suitable materials and activities based on the level or the class that they teach.

Minggu, 17 Oktober 2010 What Kinds of Intelligences that I am Strong in? Diposting oleh an.pane di 09.58

taken from new-oceans.co.uk

There are eight kinds of intelligences based on Gardner’s theory. Looking at my behaviors and the results of some tests, I can say that I am strong in verbal-linguistic, musical, interpersonal, and intrapersonal intelligence.

I like learning languages. I often learn new words from many sources then use them in my writing and conversation so that I can remember and enrich my knowledge. For me, it is interesting to write or speak with some metaphors, idioms, or adverbial phrases. That is why I can say that I am strong in verbal-linguistic intelligence. The other kind of intelligences that I have is musical intelligence. I like listening to many songs every day. I can also remember the lyrics easily. Moreover, I like singing and composing some songs. I also enjoy playing some musical instruments such as electone organ and violin.

Most of my friends say that they like chatting and sharing their stories with me. I am very proud when they do. I do not mind to help them solve their problems. It is also important for me to control all of the words that I say because I do not want to hurt anybody. Interpersonal intelligence that I have makes me able to do this. Beside the ability to interact with other people, I also know how to treat myself. I know that I always need time to be alone when I learn subjects. I can see clearly what my strengths and my weaknesses are. These facts show that I have intrapersonal intelligence.

Those intelligences support me to learn subjects, including English. I hope they can also help me to teach my students well in the future. Besides, I want to sharpen those intelligences to continue learning new things.

Senin, 11 Oktober 2010 One of the methods that i like for teaching Diposting oleh an.pane di 10.28

There are several teaching methods that can be used in a class. All of them have uniqueness that can make learning activity interesting but the method that I am probably good at is communicative language teaching. 
If you want to know more about CLT, watch this video...

Communicative language teaching is a teaching method where learners’ ability in communication becomes the goal of teaching.  In spite of it, it does not mean that grammatical structure is unimportant. It is applied in social contexts learning. Students are encouraged to be active learners while the teacher is a facilitator. Some activities that are commonly used are role play, games, or dramas that reflect real-life situations. Those activities may contain writing, reading, and listening since the learners’ skill must be built from the beginning. I think the activities can make students interested in learning process. So, they engage in it and participate more.

Although it sounds fun, it is not always easy to apply this method. Referring to multiple intelligences, there might be some students who cannot really engage in some activities. For example, students who are not kinesthetic learners will be confused to follow a game that needs body’s movements. On the other hand, some students may enjoy playing games or role play too much so they do not give attention to the content or the values of it. It will be a dilemma for teachers if they are not able to maintain it.

I am interested to this teaching method but if I cope with some difficulties, I will ask for my students’ opinions then make it as a reflection for me in teaching. It is also important for me to increase my creativity in searching for miscellaneous activities which are appropriate with this method that can cover my students’ learning styles.

What do you think about this method?

Sabtu, 02 Oktober 2010 Teaching Conceptions Diposting oleh an.pane di 22.09

This is the first article in this blog. As an introduction about language teaching methodologies, I will discuss four conceptions in teaching language that i have learned.

Science-Research Conceptions:

These conceptions emphasize research and experimentation for effective teaching. One example of these conceptions is doing what effective teachers do. Effective teachers are able to make the students accomplish the task well. A teacher can adapt other teacher's strategies or methods in teaching but i think it is not always appropriate for all situations or classes. Sometimes, a teacher finds some different needs in her/his class based on the students she/he teaches.

Theory-Philosophy Conceptions:

They are conceptions which emphasize understanding the theories and principles. In communicative language teaching, selecting materials and tasks based on the theories are used. Sometimes, it does not need evidence or verifications.Teachers who use these conceptions have to monitor whether the way they teach match with the theory or not. Another example of these conceptions is silent way. It does not really come from linguistic theory but it is based on a belief how learning takes place in adults. Overall, I think theory-philosophy conceptions can be used as a basic knowledge for teaching as long as teachers monitor whether it is appropriate for the class or not. Silent way is also good to attract students' attention and their willingness to engage in learning but I think it is hard enough if the class is a big one. Monitoring all students' comprehension is difficult if the teacher uses this method for whole section.

Values-Based Conceptions:

Values-based conceptions describe how important the values element in teaching is. Two examples of these conceptions are humanistic approach and reflective teaching approach. Humanistic approach shows the development of human values and build sensitivity to human emotions. It makes students learn subjects not only on the surface. They can know that many factors may give influence in language styles or development. How about reflective teaching? It is based on a belief that teachers can improve their skill in teaching by reflecting to their own teaching experience. This is one of my favourite approaches because it gives a chance for teachers to see what they have to improve in the way they teach. Considering that being a teacher is a commitment to learn in a lifetime, it is good to know that there are many things that must be improved, including teaching skills.

Art-Craft Conceptions:

Art-craft conceptions emphasize teacher’s individual skill and personality in teaching. These conceptions point up a challenge for teachers to look at the situations and students’ needs. Here, teachers are free to decide which effective methods should be used in classes. When they realize that their students have different style in learning, they will contribute some teaching methods based on each student’s needs. That is why sticking to one method only may hinder teachers’ potential that will cause a problem for students’ comprehension about the materials given. I think these conceptions are good considering that not all students have the same learning style. That is why teachers have to be creative.

Well, I think combining some conceptions or approaches above is better than sticking to one conception only. What do you think about this? Which conceptions do you think the best for language teaching? :)