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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
As an introductory section, this chapter discusses some aspects related to
background of the study. It also provides aims of the study, statement of the
problem, scope of the study, significance of study and definition of terms.
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
CLIL (Content and Language Integrated learning as proposed by Mehisto
et al. (2008:9) is a dual-focused educational approach in which an additional
language other than the students’ mother tongue is used for the learning and
teaching of both content and language.
The term CLIL was coined in 1994 in Europe (Mehisto et al.,2008:9)
which was derived from political issue as a core instrument for achieving policy
aim directed at creating a multilingual population in Europe (Dalton-
Puffer,2007:1). CLIL diverges from Canada’s immersion programs and USA’s
content-based instruction. In Canada all subjects are taught in a second language
(the other official language of the country) and in the USA, content-based or
theme-based instruction is used as a mean of promoting second language learning
in students with limited English proficiency (Casal,2008:1).
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CLIL has been employed in several countries, i.e. Malaysia, Thailand,
Spain, Sweden, etc. In Malaysia, it is reported that children learn math and
science in English (Sophia, et al 2009:54). In Thailand, students learn Science in
English (Mackenzie: 2008). In Spain, students learn science, math and social
studies in English and Valencian (Frigols, 2007:222). In Sweden, students learn
science, math, history, civics and sports in English (Slyven, 2006:47). The
implementation of CLIL methodology in these countries will be discussed further
in Chapter Two.
The implementation of CLIL in several countries as has been described
above reflects that the issue of CLIL has attracted a lot of interest in recent years,
especially in Europe and more increasingly widely in the world based on
particular reasons. The first reason is related to the tendency for parents who want
their children to be proficient in general English and content of other subjects to a
better preparation for professional life (Deller & Price, 2007:3). This trend goes
hand in hand with the reason which is related to the globalization issue which has
made the world interconnected. As stated by Mehisto et al. (2008:10-11) in an
integrated world, CLIL is viewed as a modern form of educational system which
is designed to equip the learners with knowledge and skills suitable for the global
age.
In Indonesia, the teaching of subject matters using English as the medium
of instruction has become a growing trend. This has been manifested in the
establishment of Pioneering International Standard School (Rintisan Sekolah
Bertaraf Internasional/ hereafter called RSBI). According to Education National
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Standard (2007) English is used as the media of instruction in teaching English,
Math, Science and Technology. The topics discussed in English class should
embrace the topics which have been learnt in Science and Technology classes.
Based on the studies and phenomenon in Indonesia above the writer is
interested in investigating the issue more, especially to conduct the study on the
implementation of Content and Language Integrated Learning in one State Junior
High School in Indonesia. There are a lot of previous studies on the
implementation of CLIL which have been conducted in several countries but
CLIL has not been well researched in Indonesia. Because of that, this study is
expected to fill the gap.
This study was investigated the teaching of writing in English in the
content area, that is Science. The writing theme was the chemistry subject on the
use of hazardous chemical substances in food which the students have learnt in
Science class.
There are several types of text that should be covered and taught by
teachers of English at SMP-RSBI as recommended by the School Based
Curriculum (Kurikulum Tingkat Satuan Pendidikan / KTSP), such as: Descriptive,
Procedure, Recount, Narrative, Report, Exposition, Explanation and News Item.
In this study not all text types as suggested by Curriculum KTSP which was
investigated. There was only one type which was focused on the study, it was
Hortatory Exposition. Exposition as one of the genres has been chosen to be
investigated in this study because Exposition is one of the genres that should be
taught at RSBI – class in the second grade.
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It is a difficult text type because it should involve arguments, facts,
evidence, description, or explanation to support the side being argued, use
reference to expert authority that the reader is apt to believe and to make the
writer’s position seem indisputable (Crossley&Wilson, 1979;Smalley&Hank,
1982; Munsell &Clough, 1984;Feez &Joyce, 1998 as cited in Emilia, 2005:59).
Therefore, the research is focused on the implementation of the Content and
Langage Integrated Learning approach in teaching writing, especially Expostion
text.
1.2 Aims of Study
The aims of the study are to: 1) investigate the implementation of CLIL in
teaching expository writing 2) to find how students develop their ability in writing
expository text and 3) to find the challenges which may be faced by the language
teacher and students in the teaching and learning process.
1.3 Statement of the Problem
The research is going to find the answer to the following questions:
(1) How is the teaching of exposition writing conducted in the CLIL
class?
(2) How do the students develop their ability in writing exposition text
at CLIL class?
(3) What challenges may the language teacher and students be faced in
the teaching and learning process using CLIL?
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