Some problems in teaching conversation at seventh grade of SMP N 20 Surakarta

Oleh :
Puspita Palupiningtyas - C9307068 - Fak. Sastra dan Seni Rupa

ABSTRACT This final project is written on the writer’s job training as an English teacher in SMP N 20 Surakarta. The writer is interested to focus the English lesson on conversation. This report mainly discuses about how students in this Junior High school are able to apply and to comprehend simple conversation in the class. The aim of this final project is to report the difficulties in teaching conversation for seventh graders of SMP N 20 Surakarta by teaching the students directly, giving questionnaires and having interview with the English teacher. Finally, the writer concludes the problems and gives some solutions for the school. The process of teaching used by the writer consisted of three steps. The first was warming up which was consisted of greeting and introducing the materials. In this step, the writer used to attempt to connect material to student’s daily life. The second was material’s explanation. It was the time when the writer stimulated student’s interaction in the class. The third was exercises for students. There are many difficulties in conversation activities coming from variety factors. The difficulties come from the students, the English teacher, the writer, and also the condition of the school. All of the problems influence each other, so it creates some trouble in teaching conversation. Most of the problems actually have had the solutions, but there are still some problems which have not had the solutions yet, especially about the condition of the school. So, The writer also gives some suggestions to SMP N 20 Surakarta so that English can hopefully develop well in the school