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Journal : Language Circle : Journal of Language and Literature

TEACHING MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCES IN ENGLISH IN PILOT INTERNATIONAL STANDARD HIGH SCHOOLS IN INDONESIA Setyorini, Andras; Sofwan, Ahmad
Language Circle: Journal of Language and Literature Vol 5, No 2 (2011): April 2011
Publisher : Faculty of Languages ​​and Arts, State University of Semarang

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Abstract

One of the ways to improve the quality of education in Indonesia is by initiating the program called Rintisan Sekolah Bertaraf Internasional (Pilot International Standard School-ISS). This program provides grants to selected schools to implement the teaching and learning process to comply with the international standards as in the developed countries. Some subjects, including Mathematics and Sciences are taught by using English as a medium of instruction in the classroom. Textbooks for these subjects have been prepared in both Indonesian and English. However, the teachers are not yet ready to conduct the teaching and learning activities in English, so there seems to be some problems in the classroom due to the lack of English proficiency among the teachers. With respect to this issue, the school can adopt Content-Based Instruction in which the students would learn the language as a by-product of learning about real-world and encourage the collaboration between subject matter teachers and English language teachers.   Key words: International Standard School, Mathematics, Sciences
THE SCHEMATIC STRUCTURE OF ENGLISH AND INDONESIAN RESEARCH ARTICLE INTRODUCTIONS Rahman, Kasyfur; Sofwan, Ahmad
Language Circle: Journal of Language and Literature Vol 7, No 1 (2012): October 2012
Publisher : Faculty of Languages ​​and Arts, State University of Semarang

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Abstract

The article reports an investigation on the differences between the schematic structure of English and Indonesian research article introduction. By selecting thirty research articles from each group and analysing them using the CARS model (1990, 2004), this study has unravelled several differences. At the macro level, the English articles respectively have a higher percentage of reviewing items of previous research, indicating gap, and summarising methods. While their Indonesian counterparts tend to have a greater deal with making topic generalisations, presenting positive justifications, and stating the value of the present research. In addition, while the Indonesian articles have more unidentified schematic elements and lack outlining the structure of paper, the English ones demonstrate a higher degree of move reiteration. At the micro level, the English articles are characterised by the use personal deixes as self-mention, and more variation of linguistic clues in claiming centrality. On the other hand, their Indonesian counterparts are depicted by the absence of self-mention, the use of code mixing, and a major tendency in using amplifiers and evaluative adjectives in claiming centrality. These differences might be partially influenced by the writers’ culture, knowledge, editorial policy, social environment, and in certain cases, the technical problems.
APPLICATIVE CONSTRUCTIONS IN JAVANESE Sofwan, Ahmad
Language Circle: Journal of Language and Literature Vol 5, No 1 (2010): October 2010
Publisher : Faculty of Languages ​​and Arts, State University of Semarang

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Abstract

Applicative constructions refer to those in which an underlying indirect object or oblique is realised as a coreargument. The applied argument replaces P and in most languages becomes the direct object. In mostinstances, the verb usually bears a distinctive inflection expressing the semantic relation borne by the directobject. In Javanese applicative constructions could be intransitive-based and transitive-based, and theyinvolve oblique to 2 advancement or 3-2 advancement. The N- prefix on the verb, the deletion ofpreposition, and the suffix –i/ni or –ake mark the advancement to direct object. The suffix –i/ni is used tomark locative, recipient and destination advancement, whereas the suffix –ake is used to mark benefactiveand instrumental advancement. It is also possible that advancement to direct object is not marked with anysuffix.
SPEAKER’S VISION AND ATTITUDES THROUGH DEICTIC EXPRESSIONS Sofwan, Ahmad; Bouk, Edmundus
Language Circle: Journal of Language and Literature Vol 9, No 1 (2014): October 2014
Publisher : Faculty of Languages ​​and Arts, State University of Semarang

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Abstract

This study addresses how deictic expressions of person, place and time account for vision and attitudes of a speaker in speeches on certain issues. In this qualitative study, the data consisted of four speeches delivered by Xanana Gusmao of Timor Leste. The result of the study shows that the speaker used various types of deixis, including person, place, and time deixis. Person deixis was used to introduce Timorese people, whereas more time deixis referring to present time was used to focus his attention on the present situation and did not want to turn back to the past experience with full of political and social conflicts. The speaker’s vision is reflected in the use of the first person plural ‘we’ more than the first person singular ‘I’ or ‘me’. This indicates that the speaker represents himself as an ‘insertive’ leader. He is also a sort of leader with more future vision, indicated by the use of more time deixis referring to the present and future time than those of past time, so he wanted to bring his people and nation to face the future to develop the nation and to build better relationship with its neighbouring states.
ENGLISH TEACHERS’ PERCEPTIONS AND PRACTICES OF AUTHENTIC ASSESSMENT Aliningsih, Fitri; Sofwan, Ahmad
Language Circle: Journal of Language and Literature Vol 10, No 1 (2015): October 2015
Publisher : Faculty of Languages ​​and Arts, State University of Semarang

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Abstract

This study aimedto find the English teachers‘ perceptions and practices of authentic assessment in the pilot project schools of the 2013 curriculum in Grobogan regency. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, first, a survey was done. Then, to obtain more in-depth information about the teachers‘ perceptions and practices of authentic assessment, a case study research was conducted. In this case, interview and classroom observation were conducted. Then, the data were analyzed through reading or memoing, describing, and classifying.The study revealed that the teachers have positive perceptions towards authentic assessment as they agreed that the assessment approach is beneficial to assess students‘ progress and achievement. However, the teachers perceived insufficient time, crowded classes, exhausting and time consuming activities, and also complicated administration as the main problems in applying authentic assessment. There were no significant differences among the teachers on the way they applied authentic assessment. In this case, they preferred written and task basedassessment, performance assessment, and also classroom observation in assessing their students. Nevertheless, in some cases, they did not apply the assessment properly as they did not put the assessment principles into practices.
THE REALIZATION OF DISAGREEMENT STRATEGIES BY NON NATIVE SPEAKERS OF ENGLISH Sofwan, Ahmad; Suwignyo, Eko
Language Circle: Journal of Language and Literature Vol 6, No 1 (2011): October 2011
Publisher : Faculty of Languages ​​and Arts, State University of Semarang

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Abstract

This study is meant to investigate the realization of disagreement strategies by non-nativespeakers of English by eliciting data through DCT and role plays from two groups of students:first year students and third year students of English Department. The DCTs and role playscontain 24 situations which are designed in different issues and social status. The resultshowed that most students realized disagreement through contradiction, counterclaim,irrelevancy claim, contradiction and counterclaim, and challenges related to personalinvolvement and non-personal involvement issues in different social status. The contradictionstrategy was dominantly used by the students. Some students realized disagreement throughthe combination of counterclaim and challenge strategy in equal and high-low status related topersonal involvement, and equal and low-high status related to non-personal involvement. Inthis case, students did not only disagree by producing counterclaim response but alsochallenged the previous speaker to provide more evidence related to his/her statement. Thefindings also showed that there is no pragmatic development from first year students to thirdyear students because they produced disagreement strategy in the same way although theyhad different English proficiency level.
THE REALIZATION OF TENOR IN THE CONVERSATION TEXTS FOUND IN GRADE X ENGLISH TEXTBOOKS “PATHWAY TO ENGLISH” AND “BAHASA INGGRIS KELAS X Achsan, Mohamad; Sofwan, Ahmad
Language Circle: Journal of Language and Literature Vol 11, No 1 (2016): October 2016
Publisher : Language Circle: Journal of Language and Literature

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.15294/lc.v11i1.7851

Abstract

This study aims at explaining the tenor of the interactants in the conversation texts found grade X English textbooks as well as the appropriacy of their realization in the given contexts. This study also explains the similarities and differences between conversation texts found in both English textbooks in realizing tenor. This study was a qualitative research employing a descriptive comparative method. The comparative method compares conversation texts found in two English textbooks entitled “Pathway to English” and “Bahasa Inggris Kelas X” to find their similarities and differences in realizing tenor. The result of lexicogrammatical analysis of conversation texts found in two English textbooks showed the texts of two textbooks were dominated by declarative. This meant that the mood in the models of the conversation texts tended giving information rather than demanding information or demanding goods and services. They were between teacher and student, student and student, and friend and friend. Furthermore, there were various statuses found in these texts. They were unequal and equal. At last, the social distances showed low contact and low affective involvement and high contact and high affective involvement.
APPLICATIVE CONSTRUCTIONS IN JAVANESE Sofwan, Ahmad
Language Circle: Journal of Language and Literature Vol 5, No 1 (2010): October 2010
Publisher : Universitas Negeri Semarang

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.15294/lc.v5i1.1984

Abstract

Applicative constructions refer to those in which an underlying indirect object or oblique is realised as a coreargument. The applied argument replaces P and in most languages becomes the direct object. In mostinstances, the verb usually bears a distinctive inflection expressing the semantic relation borne by the directobject. In Javanese applicative constructions could be intransitive-based and transitive-based, and theyinvolve oblique to 2 advancement or 3-2 advancement. The N- prefix on the verb, the deletion ofpreposition, and the suffix –i/ni or –ake mark the advancement to direct object. The suffix –i/ni is used tomark locative, recipient and destination advancement, whereas the suffix –ake is used to mark benefactiveand instrumental advancement. It is also possible that advancement to direct object is not marked with anysuffix.
THE REALIZATION OF DISAGREEMENT STRATEGIES BY NON NATIVE SPEAKERS OF ENGLISH Sofwan, Ahmad; Suwignyo, Eko
Language Circle: Journal of Language and Literature Vol 6, No 1 (2011): October 2011
Publisher : Universitas Negeri Semarang

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.15294/lc.v6i1.2045

Abstract

This study is meant to investigate the realization of disagreement strategies by non-nativespeakers of English by eliciting data through DCT and role plays from two groups of students:first year students and third year students of English Department. The DCTs and role playscontain 24 situations which are designed in different issues and social status. The resultshowed that most students realized disagreement through contradiction, counterclaim,irrelevancy claim, contradiction and counterclaim, and challenges related to personalinvolvement and non-personal involvement issues in different social status. The contradictionstrategy was dominantly used by the students. Some students realized disagreement throughthe combination of counterclaim and challenge strategy in equal and high-low status related topersonal involvement, and equal and low-high status related to non-personal involvement. Inthis case, students did not only disagree by producing counterclaim response but alsochallenged the previous speaker to provide more evidence related to his/her statement. Thefindings also showed that there is no pragmatic development from first year students to thirdyear students because they produced disagreement strategy in the same way although theyhad different English proficiency level.
SPEAKER’S VISION AND ATTITUDES THROUGH DEICTIC EXPRESSIONS Sofwan, Ahmad; Bouk, Edmundus
Language Circle: Journal of Language and Literature Vol 9, No 1 (2014): October 2014
Publisher : Universitas Negeri Semarang

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.15294/lc.v9i1.3220

Abstract

This study addresses how deictic expressions of person, place and time account for vision and attitudes of a speaker in speeches on certain issues. In this qualitative study, the data consisted of four speeches delivered by Xanana Gusmao of Timor Leste. The result of the study shows that the speaker used various types of deixis, including person, place, and time deixis. Person deixis was used to introduce Timorese people, whereas more time deixis referring to present time was used to focus his attention on the present situation and did not want to turn back to the past experience with full of political and social conflicts. The speaker’s vision is reflected in the use of the first person plural ‘we’ more than the first person singular ‘I’ or ‘me’. This indicates that the speaker represents himself as an ‘insertive’ leader. He is also a sort of leader with more future vision, indicated by the use of more time deixis referring to the present and future time than those of past time, so he wanted to bring his people and nation to face the future to develop the nation and to build better relationship with its neighbouring states.