So, students should pay more attention to English reading comprehension. In the era of knowledge explosion and information revolution, English has become the most important carrier and the most widely used language in all areas of human life. In the English teaching, listening, speaking, reading, writing and translating have a very important position. In these five aspects, reading is an important way to master and use English language. Strawn(1978) once said: Reading is the basis of other language skills, strong reading ability helps students master the target language.
However with the passage of time it was found that using English as official language is required. Thus started attempts for teaching English right form the primary schools. Soon the language spread went to secondary schools and colleges. At present the high proficiency in English helps the students to achieve the degree of their choice in the University level studies (Foo & Richards, 2004). English language is considered as a language of development in Malaysia.
In order to ensure that students successfully master the writing skills, teachers need to employ methods and approaches which produce positive outcomes in the students learning. Teachers are sometimes out of idea on how to teach writing to the students interestingly. They do not implement the latest approaches or methods that are used nowadays to attract the students’ attention in writing. Many students find it difficult to do the intense and active thinking that is needed for a proper writing convention. It is frightening for them to sit down before a blank sheet of paper or computer screen and know that an hour later, nothing is written on it.
Language is a primary source of communication. It is one crucial part in our life in order for us to communicate and share ideas. English as the international language is very important to be learnt and mastered.English has become a language which is used in many countries whether as a native languange, second language, or foreign language. People in the world has believed that it is very important for individuals to learn English especially for people who are involved in businesses overseas or those who want to continue their studies in English speaking countries. In Indonesia, English is taught in class as a foreign language to students in elementary school, secondary and higher education.
In today’s world, English is one of the most widely used languages utilized in cross-cultural and international interaction around the world today. Various countries in the Asia-Pacific region such as Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Thailand accentuate importance of learning English as a foreign language (EFL) at early age. In Taiwan for example, the Ministry of Education (1998) proposed general guidelines of grade 1-9 curriculum for elementary and junior high school education, which emphasize cultivation of language knowledge and skills related to expression, communication, and sharing in English from early age. According to Thailand’s “Basic Education Core Curriculum B.E. 2551,” for Thai students, the ability to use foreign languages for communication is at the top of the list of goals or milestones.
Besides that, they feel bored with the same technique to memorize all grammar rules and exceptions in English. It involves the students’ motivation in learning English. In English, There are four skills of English learning must be mastered by the students. They are listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
In addition, teacher must also be able to find a suitable technique in applying the learning to use English for students to achieve the desired targets. As mentioned earlier, one of very important aspect in learning English is speaking. Speaking is one of the main skill that must be considered in language learning. However, in reality the English language skill in school is still very low. Because in practice, teacher in teach speaking at class just using repeating and memorizing technique.
That is why English is important to teach at the early ages, because English becomes the important communication tool. According to Graddol (2006) states that using of English have been taught from several decades and became international Language in the world. In Indonesia, English as the first foreign language have been taught as a formal language in the school. But, now English still can not master by Senior High School
Student say that acquiring vocabulary in a second language is very difficult, using their native language is an instinct, therefore they lack confidence in using a second language to communicate with others. Sometimes it is not easy for students to find the words when they are asked to speak in class. They avoid participating or take their time to build ideas in their mind, searching for the right words to answer. “Vocabulary learning is an essential part of foreign language learning as the meanings of new words are very often emphasized, whether in books or in classrooms. It is also central to language teaching and is of paramount importance to a language
English Grammar is taught by giving equal importance with other genres in literature such as short stories, essays and poetry. Grammar plays an important role in interpreting different genres logically, clearly and comprehensively. Therefore, this essay, discusses the importance of building students’ language, integration of grammar in Bhutanese curriculum and grammar taught integrating with language and literature. First, English grammar forms an integral part of language and teaching English with grammar dates back to the introduction of modern education in Bhutan. Chin (2000) asserts that “Grammar is the sound, structure, and meaning system of language.