AN ANALYSIS ON ENGLISH TEXTBOOK
ENTITLED STAIRWAY: A FUN AND EASY ENGLISH BOOK
FOR GRADE II OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
BASED ON RAJAN’S THEORY
PUBLICATION ARTICLE
Submitted as a Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for Getting Bachelor Degree of Education
in English Department
by
Dwi Vianita Rosari A320100131
SCHOOL OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION MUHAMMADIYAH UNIVERSITY OF SURAKARTA
AN ANALYSIS ON ENGLISH TEXTBOOK ENTITLED “STAIRWAY: A FUN AND EASY ENGLISH
BOOK FOR GRADE II OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL” BASED ON RAJAN’S THEORY
This research paper is mainly intended to find out whether the English textbook used for the second year students of Elementary school entitled Stairway: A Fun and Easy English Book for Grade II of Elementary School is compatible or not with the indicators of good materials design suggested by Rajan.
This research applies descriptive research. In collecting data, the writer did content analysis. The data were analyzed by steps, (1) presenting the materials (2) comparing the materials (3) judging whether materials of English textbook appropriate with the indicators of good materials design suggested by Rajan or not (4) drawing conclusions.
The result of the analysis shows that the percentage of the compatibility of language skills developed in the textbook is 65,90% it means the textbook is good in developing language skills as suggested by Rajan. The language skill which are developed in the textbook involve the compatibility of the listening materials are 72,72% or good, the compatibility of the reading materials are 63,63% or good, the compatibility of speaking materials are 63,63% or good and the compatibility of writing materials are 63,63% or good. This research implies the textbook entitled “Stairway: A Fun and Easy English Book” for the second year students of Elementary School is good materials to support the learning process.
A. Introduction
In learning English at schools, textbooks are the key component.
Textbook is an important resource. It is foundation of school instruction
and the primary source of information for students and teachers. Textbook
serves as one of the main instruments for shaping knowledge, attitudes and
disciplines of the students.
A textbook means a created material designed as materials for teaching learning process in order to increase the learners’ knowledge and experience. “Textbooks are best seen as a source in achieving aims and
objectives that have already been set in terms of learner needs”
(Cunningsworth, 1995:7). Textbook also can be defined as a book prepared for school’s students in teaching learning process.
There are so many English textbooks that are used in teaching-
learning process. The writer chooses Stairway; A Fun and Easy English
Book for Grade II of Elementary School published by Platinum, because
the book is designed to encourage the students to develop their
competency in four language skills. This book introduces and enriches the
words and expressions for the students of the second year that is related to
language functions for introducing oneself and others, counting and using
numbers, mentioning toys, identifying vegetables, etc. Each unit is
designed to have the following sub units: Come On, Passwords, Exercise,
Grab the Stars, Let Us Try, Useful Expressions, and Fun Time. The unit
also has supportive materials for the time being discussed such as More to
Know, Around the World, Creative Hands, Glossary, and Chapters
Review. To asses the learning progress, reflection is provided in the las
part of the unit for the students to complete personally.
Based on the problem above the writer compares the material in the
textbook with good criteria textbook based Rajan Theory, whether or not
the textbook is appropriate with Rajan’s criteria. Based on the reasons, the
Textbook Entitled “Stairway: A Fun and Easy English Book for Grade II
facilitate the students for achieving the competencies?
The objective of this reseacrh, is: (1) To describe the compatibility
of materials design in English Textbook entitled Stairway; A Fun and Easy
English Book for Grade II of Elementary School with the criteria of good
materials design by Rajan. (2) to explain the materials design facilitates the
students for achieving the competencies.
Textbooks give benefits to increase the student’s ability in English. The special benefits of textbooks, according to Buckingham
(1958:15-18) in Tarigan (1986:16) are textbooks give
1) the opportunities to study it appropriate with the learner’s ability.
2) the opportunities to review it.
3) the possibility to inverstigate the learner’s memory. 4) the casy to make the notes.
3. Textbook Evaluation
The evaluation is important to know the purpose and the
function of the materials which are used in the teaching-learning
process. The evaluation of the English textbook is to know the function
of English textbook. It can increase the student’s ability in learning
English.
C. Good Materials Design
According to Byrd (2002:417) in Fauziati (2010:210) “textbooks
are for students.” To meet their needs, the textbook must not only
contain language skills demanded by the curicculum but it also must fit
the needs of the students. Greene and Petty (1985) in Tarigan
(1993:20-21) explain the criteria of good textbook. They are as follows :
a. The textbook must be interesting and attractive toward the learners. So, they will be interested in using textbook. b. The textbook must be able to motivate the learners. c. The content of textbook must be illustrative.
d. The textbook should consider the linguistic aspect. So, it
will be suitable with the learner’s ability.
e. The content of textbook must be related to the other branch of the science.
f. The textbook must stimulate the personal activity of the learners.
g. The content of textbook must be clear to avoid the learners will be confused in using textbook.
h. The textbook must have clear point of view because it will be the learner’s point of view.
i. The textbook must be able to provide the balance and it must emphasize values to the learners.
j.
The textbook must be able to respect to the differences of the individual.D. Rajan’s Theory of Materials Design
Good materials don’t teach but good materials can motivate a learner to learn. The criteria of good materials design based on Rajan (2003:IV)
like the MAGIC. The meaning of MAGIC is as follows,
M = Motivating, and Meaningful
G = Graphic, and Graded
I = Interesting, Interactive, and Integrated
C = Contextualized, and Creative
a. Motivating
The meaning of motivating is a good material should
motivate learners to learn by themselves. It can achieve when the
materials contain the words or sentences that can motivate the
students to learn the materials more.
b. Meaningful
The meaning of meaningful is a good material should be
useful to the learner. It means that the materials should help the
learners to increase their ability in language.
c. Authentic
The meaning of authentic is a good material should contain
the original language by native speaker. It means that the learners
can improve the language skills from the native speaker.
d. Appropriate
The meaning of appropriate is a good material should be suitable for the learner’s level and learner’s need. The materials should contain the materials which learner’s need in the teaching and compatible with the learners level.
e. Graphic
The meaning of graphic is a good material should be
presented with the diagram or table. The materials in the textbook
should be organized and easy to learn for the learner.
f. Graded
The meaning of graded is a good material should be arranged
systematically. It means that the materials in the textbook should be
g. Interesting
The meaning of interesting is a good materials can influent
the learners attention. The material should be able to attract the attention
of students to learn it.The materials should be able to attract the
attention of students to learn it.
h. Integrated
The meaning of integrated is a good material should cover
four language skills and language aspects. The materials of the
textbook should contain the basic language skills in English.
i. Interactive
The meaning of interactive is a good material can make an
interaction, communication, conversation between learner-teacher
and teacher-learner.
j. Contextualized
The meaning of contextualized is a good materials should be
suitable with the place and the time. The materials of the textbook
must be suitable with the learners activity.
k. Creative
The meaning of creative is a good material should open the
new horizon of the learner. The good materials are the materials
which create the students creativity in learning English.
From the explanation above, the writer concludes that the
good materials design should be suitable with the learners needs and
the good materials should contain the materials which help to open a
new mind to the learners.
E. RESEARCH METHOD
The writer use descriptive research as the of type reseacrh. This
School”. The object of the research is the materials of the textbook entitled “Starway; A Fun and Easy English Book” for Grade II of Elementary School” (2012) published by Tiga Serangkai.. The data of the research is the English materials found in English textbook Starway.
The method of collecting data, the writer uses the content analysis.
The writer selects and encodes the materials of English textbook, then the
writer selects the compatibility of materials design with the good materials
design based on Rajan theory.
F. RESEARCH FINDING AND DISCUSSION 1. Research Finding
The research finding presents the analysis of data based on the
problem of the study. In analyzing this study, the writer uses the indicators
of good materials design suggested by Rajan. The writer analyzes the
compatibility of material design (listening, speaking, reading, and writing materials) in the textbook entitled “Stairway: A Fun and Easy English Book” for Grade II of Elementary School” with the indicator of good materials design suggested by Rajan.
a. Motivating
The conversation above shows that this material is
compatible with the criteria of good materials design suggested by
Rajan. This conversation can motivate the learner because in the
conversation above the learner can learn the technique of giving
reply orally, it makes the learner can understand the spoken
expression to greet others.
b. Meaningful
Listen and repeat. (C5/ES/P79)
The material above is compatible with indicators of good
materials design by suggested by Rajan. The material above is
meaningful because from the material above, the learner can learn
c. Appropriate
Listen and put the correct numbers. The first has been done for
you. (C9/ES/P142)
The material above is compatible with the criteria of good
material design suggested by Rajan, because the material is suitable
with the learner needed because student can add vocabulary about
days of the week. The students are required to listen and put the
correct numbers. So, after the students learn this material, the
students can mention about days of the week.
d. Graphic
This material is good for the students because it is presented
with a table. The students are asked to fill in the blanks in the table
based on information. By the table, the students are easier to learn
the material. So, the material is compatible with the criteria of
material design suggested by Rajan.
e. Graded
Listen and write.(C1/ES/P34)
The material above is compatible with the criteria of good
material design suggested by Rajan. The material teaches the
student to respond simple instruction verbally. The students are
required to listen and write the answer based on information. The
students did not only learn listening but also writing.
f. Interesting
The material above is compatible with the criteria of
good material design suggested by Rajan, because this material
can attract the attention of learners. This material presents a
good colorful picture. The students are required to combine
people with the food based on information.
g. Contextualize
Listen and repeat.(C12/ES/185)
The material above is compatible with the criteria of
good material design suggested by Rajan. It contains students
activity everyday, such as singing, eating, drinking, walking,
studying, playing, writing, and running. The material is
suitable with time and place because the students do activities
everyday.
h. Creative
The material above is compatible with the criteria of good
material design suggested by Rajan. The material above is creative
because this material can open the intelligence to think and try to
answer the lesson from the teacher.
2. Discussion of the Finding
After analyzing the data of materials in the English Textbook entitled “Starway: A Fun and Easy English Book” for Grade II of Elementary School which are appropriate with those criteria of good
materials design suggested by Rajan, the writer finds that the books
fulfill 29 indicators. The percentage is 65,90%. It means that the
materials in the textbook are good or compatible with the good
materials design suggested by Rajan. The branch discussion research
findings are:
a. Listening Skill Materials
The English textbook entitled “Stairway: A Fun and Easy English Book” for Grade II of Elementary School has 8 indicators out of 11 indicators suggested by Rajan. The percentage of listening
skill indicators in the English textbook is 72,72%. It means that the
English textbook is good and compatible with the good materials
design suggested by Rajan.
b. Speaking Skill Materials
The speaking materials in the English textbook “Stairway: A Fun and Easy English Book” for Grade II of Elementary School have 7 indicators out of 11 indicators suggested by Rajan. The percentage
of speaking skill indicators in the English textbook is 63,63%. It
means that the English textbook is good or compatible with the good
materials design suggested by Rajan.
c. Reading Skill Materials
of reading skill indicators in the English textbook is 63,63%. It
means that the English textbook is good or compatible with the good
materials design suggested by Rajan.
d. Writing Skill Materials
The writing materials in the English textbook “Stairway: A Fun and Easy English Book” for Grade II of Elementary School have 7 indicators out of 11 indicators suggested by Rajan. The percentage
of writing skill indicators in the English textbook is 63,63%. It
means that the English textbook is good or compatible with the good
materials design suggested by Rajan.
G. CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION
1. Conclusion
After analyzing language skill materials in the textbook entitled “Stairway: A Fun and Easy English Book” for Grade II of Elementary School, the writer can draw some conclusions based on the research
finding as follows:
a. The compatibility of Material Design in English textbook with the
Criteria of Good Materials Design Suggested by Rajan:
1. Listening Materials
The compatibility of listening skill material has 8 indicators
out of 11 indicators or 72,72%.
2. Speaking Skill Materials
The percentage of speaking skill indicators in the English
textbook is 63,63%. It means that the English textbook is good or
compatible with the good materials design suggested by Rajan.
3. Reading Skill Materials
The percentage of reading skill indicators in the English
textbook is 63,63%. It means that the English textbook is good or
4. Writing Skill Materials
The percentage of writing skill indicators in the English
textbook is 63,63%. It means that the English textbook is good or
compatible with the good materials design suggested by Rajan.
5. The Materials Design Facilitate the Students for Achieving the
Competencies.
students can employ their ability in speaking well. So, the speaking
materials in the textbook is good to help the students for achieving
the competency.
d. Reading Materials
The reading material in the textbook contains the simple
text which is easy to understand by the learner. So, the reading
materials in the textbook is good to help the students for achieving
the competency. So, the reading materials in the textbook are good to increase the students’ ability in achieving the competency of speaking skill.
e. Writing Materials
The writing material in the textbok contains the simple
sentence. It can make the students easy to understand the material.
So, the writing material in the textbook is good to help the students
for achieving the competency.
2. Suggestion
The writer gives some suggestions to the person who has relation
a. For the Elementary English teacher
The English teacher should be able to choose a suitable textbook
for the students and it is appropriate with the level. So, the students
will be more interested in learning and able to understand the material.
b. For the author of English Textbook
The author should improve the innovation in the textbook with
complete cassetes which contain sound of native speaker. So, the
students will be able to improve their listening and speaking skill.
c. For the next researcher
For the next researchers, who are interested in analyzing
textbooks, this study limits on the compatibility the materials of
English textbook with the criteria of good material design sugested by
Rajan. The next researchers can study in other aspects not only
compatibility but also in grammatical, contextual learning,
pronunciation, vocabulary, and others.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Arikunto, Suharsini. 1996. Prosedur Penelitian: Suatu Pendekatan Praktek. Jakarta: Ricka Cipta.
Cunningsworth, Alan. 1984. Evaluating and Selecting English Foreign Language Teaching Material. New York: Masemillan.
Dewi, Ida Kusuma, dkk. 2012. Stairway: A Fun and Easy English Book. Solo: PT. Tiga Serangkai Pustaka Mandiri.
Fauziati, Endang. 2010. Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). Surakarta: PT. Era Pustaka Utama.
Moleong, Lexy. J. 1989. Metodologi Penelitian Kualitatif. Bandung: Remaja Karya CV.
Rahayu. 2012. Task Analysis on Workbook Entitled "Satria" for Junior High School Used in Klaten Regency Based on The Criteria of Good Tasks Suggested by Candlin. Surakarta: Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta.
Rajan, Sundara. 2003. Material Design. SEAMO. Regional Language Centre.
Septianawati. 2008 The Evaluation of English Textbook for the First Year Students of Vocational School Based on the School Level based Curriculum.Surakarta: Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta.
