This paper is written by Amik Amri Rahmadhi, M.Pd
Background
We know that there are two main reasons why our students are afraid to communicate by using foreign language, English. Indonesian, especially our students feel shy in speaking English both with their English teacher and their classmates. The first, they are afraid if their pronunciation is false or incorrect. They feel guilty if their English speaking is not the same with the native. Second, they don’t know words or vocabulary in general. They have limited vocabulary. These problems are common problem which is faced by English teacher in Indonesia. Here the writer tries to give the way how to make students not be afraid anymore in speaking English. This short paper only answers the first problem I mention before.
As we all know that internet has become familiar for people since it gives everything people need, especially in education filed. There many sites found which discuss English, English online, gives free English lesson video, listening materials, worksheet etc. Today, internet could be used easily. Both people in city or in country can use it. From this fact, internet can be used for teaching English. One site that can be used is Google Translator Kit. Actually, it is used for people who want to translate English text into their own language or translate their own language’s writing into English. They also use it to know the meaning or the English word from a single word they need to know. In this case, this site is used not for teaching translation but teaching pronunciation.
Here I suggest to Indonesian English teachers to use Google Translator Kit. By this tool, They will teach English pronunciation easily. I say this because it is very helpful. They train students to say a word with correct pronunciation
Level
Primary, Junior and Senior High School, College or University students
Tools needed:
Internet connection
Personal computer/ Notebook/ Laptop
Modem/ WiFi (optional)
Loudspeaker
Procedure:
1. Teacher’s computer/ laptop should be connected with Internet
2. Teacher browses “translate.google.com”
3. Teacher writes down a word. See the following picture!
4. Teacher click the button (blue button whose position under the box that describes sound speaker, and in the right side there is a word “Listening”. To make it clear please see the picture above!)
5. Teacher asks students to repeat the words they hear together/ individually two or three times or more.
Assignments
Teacher may ask student to speak the given words. (Teachers decides five, six or ten words)
Students present them in front of the classroom and they are repeated by other students.
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