CDs Comparation
ANALYZING THE CD PROGRAMS
IN TEACHING- LEARNING ENGLISH
SUBJECT : ICT IN LANGUAGE LEARNING
LECTURER : Mr. HARTOYO, Ph. D.
STUDENT : ROHMAN
INTRODUCTION
adjustment
The IT (Information and Technology) or computer have been improved and developed from its beginning. For example, the old generation of computer was very big physically. Today, we can see a very sophisticated model of computer such as laptop and note book. Moreover, computer has modified itself into various programs, that help students to learn and get advantages from computer especially in language learning. For the advantage of the computer over the language is that it can analyze what the student writes, see if it conform to the expected answers and tell the students at least whether he is right or wrong, so the student know the nature of his mistakes. Correction by the computer is another advantage if we believe that the student learns by conscious awareness as in cognitive learning. Some games in Encarta Kids, such as Word Scrabble and Spelling Bee can be useful for the student.
However, not the entire program that had been offered is appropriate and suitable in applying in the class. Sometimes, it needs many modification and adjustments. So, in this paper, the writer will explain the strengths and weaknesses for each program in order to discover the best program for teaching and learning activity.
1.SPEAK ENGLISH INTERMEDIATE
There are some strengths and weaknesses which found in this CD.
a. The Strengths:
1. This CD is very attractive, interactive, simple, and easy to follow and study;
2. There is a student’s record so it gives a chance to the students to evaluate their ability in speaking;
3. It gives the differentiations of two cultures (British and American style), so it will enrich the students’ language. It happens because of various styles of language;
4. It gives a good example by using the illustration of the native speaker;
5. It is a good media for teaching speaking;
6. This program is good in designing the material because it uses the contextual situation;
b. The weaknesses:
1. It is less written instruction so at the first time, it will make the users confuse to use it;
2. It makes the students confuse because of the using of two styles of languages.
2.LEARN ENGLISH for “Beginner”
There are some strengths and weaknesses which found in this CD.
a. The Strengths:
1. The program use a good steps in giving material because it is started with presenting the example, speaking practice then following up by giving games;
2. By using this program, the students will be asked to learn by playing. The program uses the concept of learning by playing method.
3. Interesting, full of color, simple to use;
4. Good in organizing material because based on one topic.
b. The weaknesses:
1. Too focus on speaking meanwhile the topic of CD is about learning English;
2. There is no written instruction;
3. It is too fast in speaking practice so it does not give a chance to repeat;
4. It is better to include four skills in that CD not only for speaking and listening nut also for reading and writing;
5. It is too much game, so it will be afraid if the students directly to play games rather than learn the material first.
3.VOCABULARY
a. The Strengths:
1. This program is interesting because the students can sing together. It happens because the song was completed by the text.
2. It can diminish the boringness during the teaching learning activities
3. It can melt the frozen situation between teacher and student
4. It is not only fun but also the students get some vocabularies from the song indirectly.
5. They can learn new concept (structure and vocabularies) unconsciously
6. It is easy to remember because of fun
7. It can drill the students’ pronunciation unconsciously.
b. The weaknesses:
1. It will be boring if the song was played more than three times;
2. Sometimes, not all the songs are using a good structure and vocabularies. So, the teacher should be careful in choosing the good song;
3. It is rather difficult to adjust between the materials that had learned in class with the song. Sometimes, not only the material but the meaning of the song should be more paid attention by the teacher.
4. ENGLISH WORD’S
a. The Strengths:
1. This CD was completed with the syllabus of teaching so it will make the teacher and learner easier in searching the appropriate material;
2. This program is created to measure four skills in language – listening, speaking, reading and writing;
3. The program is interesting and stimulating the learner to try it. It happens because the program was arranged per topic;
4. The program is good in giving the feed-back or reward to the students who give the right answer.
b. The weaknesses:
1. It will easy for students to guess the right answer because the program was set up by giving many changes to the students in picking up the right answer;
2. In the end of program, there is no total score for each competence;
3. It is rather complicated to run this program;
4. The program does not appropriate for using in a big class. It can be used if only the students have their own personal computer
III. THE CONCLUSION
To improve and develop the student’s skill in learning English, we can use computer as a modern and sophisticated equipment. There are various programs that interactively offered to assist the English learner’s ability such as using tutorial CD for learning and teaching process. In fact, the programs have some strengths and weaknesses as well. However, using the CD programs will help the English learner to get better by using it regularly.
