CALL, Speak English Software

A. Background (The reasons why do you select the software)

Today there are many ways to help the students in increasing their speaking ability. A media is one of the ways except methods and techniques which can guide students to improve their speaking ability. Online and offline softwares are a good media for students to help the students in speaking lesson. One of the offline softwares that we can use is Speak English software.

Speak English is a software that we can find it easily from our android.  As the writer knows that there are many people have used android today especially for teenagers. Besides, this is an offline software so we just need to download then install the software. After it we can use it freely without use kuota. This software provides two levels. The first is beginner session, this session is very suitable for beginner to practice the students’ pronounciation and to give basic vocabulary. The second is advanced session. In this session contained with proffesional topic in our daily activity. The cool display of this software is my reason also why I prefer to use this software than the others. 

B. Description of the software (include software’s tutorial)

The name of this software is Speak English. This is the cover of Speak English after we download it. 

This software provides two sessions, they are beginner sessions and advanced sessions. Beginner level is contained with speaking material about pronunciation and basic vocabulary. This is the beginner sessions’ content.

In pronunciation I, the students can practice their pronunciation by using prefix like TH, W, and V. The students can practice their pronunciation and their listening by listening the speaker voice, repeat the speaker voice then record your voice.  

Click the play button to hear the pronounce 

Record your voice by clicking the gold button  

Click the next button to go to the next part

                

In the pronunciation II, the students can learn Silent letters from A to I

In the pronunciation III, the students can continue to learn Silent letters from I to Z

In the pronunciation IV, the students can know the difference between words. 

In the My first phrase, the students will learn about basic conversation in daily activity

In Number, times, and date the students will learn about basic vocabulary about number, times, and date

In around house item, the students be taught basic vocabulary about house. The students will be shown a picture also as a clue. 

These are the vocabulary list in the beginner level for every sessions.

The next level of this software is advanced level. In this lessons contained with professional topic. This is the cover in advanced sessions.

In the top list there is Small Talk session. In Small talk the students will go to the next level of conversation which different with basic conversation in beginner session. 

The next lesson of this level is presentation. In this part the students will be given presentation conversation material like in the class or in the office. 

Then, in job interview part, the students will be taught about job interview material like interview between a boss with the applicant

In Traveling item contained with travelling conversation. There are some statements that very useful for students  to be used when do travelling. 

Flirting material is very suitable for teenagers because the material is very fun for teenagers’ daily activity. The conversation can be like when the first time a boy meets with a girl or invitation to go to the party.

Go to the costumer service part, the students will learn about conversation in costumer service area. 

The last lesson of this sessions is sales pitch. This part contained with how to be a seller. This material will teach the students about statement or conversation in sales activity. 

If you back to the home there are some items that have different function in this software on the bottom

Like this app is an item in the first list of the home. The function of this item is to suggest us to like Speak English software in facebook. It needs your quota if you want to like it.

Rate this app has function to give a rate of this software. It needs your quota also when you want to give a rate.

Setting icon can help us to set the recorder, volume of the speaker, and volume of the recorder. 

Love letter contained with introduction of Speak English Software

Tutorial icon contained with simple tutorial about how to use this software

Imprint gives us contact information about this software like email and website

C.The advantages of the software

• Speak English  has a cool layout
• Speak English gives two session lesson like Beginner and advanced 
• Speak English provides pictures in every session lesson
• Speak English is an offline so, the students do not need any kuota when use it   
• Speak English has pronunciation lesson
• Speak English provides  vocabulary list for every session
• Speak English can practice students’ listening ability
• The students can practice their pronunciation by their self 
• The students can record their voice to practice their pronunciation 

D.The weakness/disadvantages of the software

• Speak English limits the session lesson
• Speak English sells the other sessions so, the students must buy its by online 
• Speak English is easier to be downloaded in android than in PC

E.The process of using the software for learning and teaching activities

     In beginning activity :

•  Greeting to the students
• Doing attendance to the students
• Explaining about daily activity conversation material
• Doing ask and answer session between teacher and students about the material

     In core activity:

• Asking the students to open Speak English software from their android phone
• Asking the students to select the beginner session then choose My first phrase item
• Asking the students to learn all of the statements in My first phrase session by listening and recording  their voice
• Asking the students to make daily conversation in pair by recording their voice each       other from their  android
• Asking the students to play their recording voice in pair while the other students are     listening the conversation

     In closing activity:

• Giving ask and answer session again for the students about the material, listening and   speaking activity  during the class
• Reviewing the material about daily activity conversation

F. Conclusion and recommendation 

Speak English software is an offline software that focus to improve students’ speaking ability and students’ pronunciation. This software can increase the students’ listening skill also by hearing the speaker voice. The students can practice their pronunciation by record their own voice. This software is divided into two levels. They are beginner sessions and advanced sessions. 

The main weakness of this software is Speak English limits the other sessions. Speak English only provides two levels where each level has a restrictiveness like vocabulary. The students can get the other lessons by buying its via online. So, it needs your paypal account and your quota. In covering this weakness, the teacher must be more active in the class to interact with the students. The teachers can add the other materials in the class from the book or make material by their own self without online. 

At the end, I totally recommend for all teachers and students to download and install this Speak English Software in their android phone. This software is very useful in teaching and learning process because it can improve students’ speaking ability by listening and pronunciation part. Besides, Speak English is an offline software so, we can use it without need quota.  You can download Speak English software from play store in your android by typing Speak English in searching box. If you want to try to download Speak English from your PC just click this link Speak English

Presentation of the 2013 communique to President Putin's Chief G20 Advisor

only for GIRLS of G20 member countries (including Indonesia) aged 18-20. DEADLINE: March 30, 2014

Successful applicants will get:

-Summit learning materials and supplies;
-Return economy air travel arrangements, from the closest international airport to the delegate’s home to Australia;
-Accommodations while in Australia (in transit accommodations to be covered by the delegate);
-Meals – breakfast, lunch, dinner and refreshments each day;
-All ground transportation while in Australia.

http://www.girls20summit.com/the-summit/application-australia-2014/

Study of the United States Institute for Student Leaders on Global Environmental Issues 2014

Call for Applications for the 2014 Study of the United States Institute for Student Leaders on Global Environmental Issues

The Public Affairs Section of the Embassy of the United States in Jakarta is pleased to announce the call for applications to the 2014 Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders on “Global Environment Issues.”


Program Description

The Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) for Student Leaders are intensive short term academic programs whose purpose is to provide groups of undergraduate student leaders with a deeper understanding of the United States, while simultaneously enhancing their leadership skills. The five-week Institutes will consist of a balanced series of seminar discussions, readings, group presentations, and lectures. The coursework and classroom activities will be complemented by educational travel, site visits, leadership activities, and volunteer opportunities within the local community. The Institutes will include an academic residency component of approximately four weeks and a domestic study tour of approximately one week. During the academic residency, participants will also have the opportunity to engage in educational and cultural activities outside of the classroom. The Institute on Global Environmental Issues will be hosted by the East-West Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. The four week academic residency will explore the role that environmental policy has played in the economic and political development of the United States. The Institute will use experiential learning techniques to expose participants to current themes in the field, including natural resource management, sustainable development/sustainable agricultural practices, food security, ecotourism, energy generation (new and traditional forms), and water management and treatment. The issues will be explored from numerous angles: local grassroots activism and civic initiatives, market-oriented approaches, and federal government policies and regulation. Finally, the Institute will explore environmental issues in the context of a globalized society, and draw comparisons between the United States and the participants’ home countries. Students will also have the opportunity to leave the classroom to meet with community leaders, and representatives of non-profit organizations. The academic residency will be complemented by an educational tour that will take participants to another area of the U.S. where they will meet with local, state, private, and nonprofit organizations working in the field. The Institute will then conclude with a 3 day program in Washington, D.C. Information on the 2013 program can be found at http://www.susieastwestcenter.com/. For more details, please visit this link : http://jakarta.usembassy.gov/study/susi-2014.html#.Urk8dwAYyyw.twitter

Aku resmi jatuh cinta sekaligus patah hati

Sebenarnya, saat itu aku tidak tahu dan memang tidak pernah mau tahu tentang apa itu cinta. Aku masih duduk di bangku kelas tiga SMA saat itu. Ya memang sudah sewajarnya untuk mencicipi rasa cinta. Namun, aku masih enggan untuk mengetahui bahkan mendalami arti dari kata cinta. Lupa tugas, cekcok, sampai cemburu merupakan beberapa alasan paling utama untuk menghindari perasaan tersakral umat manusia terhadap lawan jenisnya itu. Tapi, nampaknya orang ini berhasil mengajarkanku tentang perasaan itu. Aku pernah membaca sebuah kutipan "Jika tidak gila bukan cinta namanya". Menurutku kutipan ini hanya takhayul tapi, nampaknya dia lah sosok yang pertama kali mampu membuatku benar-benar gila. 

Awal pertemuan dan perkenalan kami memang tak seromantis FTV bergenre remaja atau pun drama korea bertabur cowok-cowok manis. Dia hanya lah seorang instructor dari salah satu perguruan tinggi yang berlatar belakang teknologi informasi. Di antara instructor yang lainnya dia lah yang paling menarik perhatianku dan teman-temanku yang kebetulan saat itu memiliki jadwal sama untuk diajar. Dia tidak ganteng, tinggi atau pun  mancung. Dia sama sekali bukan tipe ku namun, dia mampu membuat ku sesak nafas saat berada disampingnya. Intinya dia keren! 

Siang itu terlihat segerombolan teman sebayaku berjalan meninggalkan aula. Pertanda giliranku dan teman-temanku tiba untuk memasuki ruangan. Kami duduk di kursi yang tersedia. Aku memilih duduk di bagian depan dengan alasan ingin mendapat zona baru sekaligus pembimbing yang lain hehe. Aku berhadapan dengan layar komputer yang masih berwajah gelap. Sekilas aku memperhatikan teman-temanku yang sudah mendapatkan instructor masing-masing. Belum lama bola mataku berpencar tiba-tiba, dia duduk di sampingku. Tanpa perlu pikir panjang aku sudah yakin jika dia lah pembimbing yang ditakdirkan oleh Tuhan hari itu. Aku menahan tawa geli ku tapi batinku serasa tertawa sembari tersipu malu. "Ayo kita mulai" itu kata pertama yang cukup membuatku melakukan brainstorming untuk menjawabnya. "Ayo" aku membalasnya.

Sekitar dua jam aku duduk bersama dengannya. Dia memberikanku kesan yang cukup membuatku speechless. Dia humoris, cerdas menurutku, baik dan easygoing di mataku. Sejak hari itu aku telah meresmikan diriku sendiri. Aku telah jatuh cinta. 

Memasuki hari kelima, aku dan teman-temanku serasa makin akrab dengannya. Sebenarnya bukan dia saja. Tapi, mungkin karena efek kesan yang tertinggal kemarin yang justru membuatku lebih fokus padanya. Kami berbincang dengan riangnya. Di tengah perbincangan entah mengapa dia membuka sebuah topik tentang cinta. Aku yang tak tahu menahu dan memang tak punya pengalaman terpaksa diam dan ikut alur saja dengan pembicaraan mereka. Seorang temanku iseng mengambil dompetnya. Dia juga tidak keberatan saat dirampas LOL. Ketika temanku membukanya, kami menemukan foto seorang siswa SMA terselip di dompetnya dan dia mengakuinya bahwa itu miliknya. Dia melanjutkan "Dia bukan milikku lagi". Pernyataan yang melegakan buatku. Aku langsung menyambarnya dengan sebuah pertanyaan "Pacaran kok sama anak SMA bukan anak kuliahan?". Mungkin pertanyaan inilah dampak tak mengeksplor dunia percintaan. Dengan tenang dia menjawab "Loh kenapa? gak masalah kan". Pernyataan yang melegakan kembali terlontar. 

***

Time is over. Suasana pertemuan terakhir dengannya memang terasa aneh. Di penutupan acara itu kami mengobrol lebih lama. Kami saling bertukar alamat FB. Di perpisahan ini aku menemukan perasaan baru. Sesak >_<. 

Aku tiba dirumah. Aku membuka akun FBku dan sebuah pemberitahuan muncul. Dia menerima permintaan pertemananku. Aku menanggapinya dengan senyum. Pipiku serasa memerah. 

Pagi ini aku disambut dengan sebuah gossip di kelas. Kata ciee... cieee dari berbagai penjuru dan dengan intonasi yang berbeda bagaikan soundtrack untukku pagi itu. Ternyata, seorang temanku menemukan fotoku di album FBnya. Aku melihatnya. Itu foto biasa menurutku. Hal yang wajar seseorang ingin mendokumentasikan kegiatannya. Pertanyaan yang muncul kenapa hanya aku yang harus ada di albumnya. Aku tak menanggapi pertanyaan itu. Rona pipiku rasanya berubah. 

Seminggu kemudian temanku memanggilku untuk bicara berdua. Aku mengikuti keinginannya. Dia akhirnya memulai pembicaraan yang serius. "Dia nanyain kamu terus sama aku, menurut kamu gimana?". Sontak aku diam mendengarnya. Dengan sok tidak tahu apa-apa aku kembali bertanya "Maksudnya?". "Kamu smsan aja sama dia masa lewat aku sih, kalian kayaknya cocok deh". Rentetan kata-kata barusan sukses membuatku mematung beberapa saat. Aku sudah mendapat kesimpulan dari alur diskusi ini. Dia menyukaiku. Entah pengaruh kaget ataupun apa secara spontan aku menyuruh temanku untuk menyampaikan padanya bahwa aku tidak dengan suka caranya. Jujur, disekolah aku kadang malu disorak-soraki dengan namanya. Aku belum siap untuk itu semua. Aku kembali pada pikirannku yang pendek tentang alasanku menolak jatuh cinta. Walhasil, keesokan harinya dia benar-benar berhenti menanyakan keadaanku.

Beberapa hari aku terus memikirkan hal ini. Aku tiba-tiba menjadi seorang stalker di FB. Batinku memastikan bahwa dia memang menyukaiku. Sayangnya, semuanya telah berakhir. Tak ada lagi kabar dirinya dan sapaan modusnya di chat facebook. Aku tidak siap untuk sebuah penyesalan.

***

Hari itu temanku mengajakku untuk mengerjakan tugas kelompok. Seperti biasa, tugas dibekukan sementara selanjutnya urusan kelompok untuk berceloteh. Kali ini aku yang jadi topik utama. Temanku dengan secepat kilat mengambil laptop lalu melakukan pencarian di facebook. Seperti dugaanku, dia mencari namanya. Teman-temanku terus menggodaku untuk melihat akunnya. Aku melakukan keinginan mereka. Temanku mengambil alih kursor dan mengklik tombol profile. Aku hanya menjadi penonton aksi stalking mereka tapi, tak bisa dipungkiri jika aku merindukannya. Tiba-tiba......! Hatiku jleb seketika. Layar itu memperlihatkanku sebuah informasi yang harusnya aku tak mesti tahu. Dia menjalin hubungan dengan seseorang. Dia baru saja berpacaran. 

Mendadak suasana hening di kamar itu. Temanku terus menggodaku. "Aduhh ada yang patah hati ni". Aku hanya terdiam dengan senyuman paksa. Kulihat temanku mengklik profile perempuan itu. Aku mengakui dia memang cantik dan anggun. Hubungan mereka akhirnya memunculkan penyesalan untukku.

Nyatanya aku memang tak menjalin hubungan resmi dengannya. Kami juga tidak pernah mengungkapkan perasaan satu sama lain. Aku hanya menganggapnya sebagai sebuah kisah. Aku ragu untuk menyebutnya sebagai kisah cinta. Intinya hubungan kami tidak jelas LOL. Tapi, aku berani bertanya pada hatiku yang nampaknya baru saja terkena stroke. Apakah kau patah hati? Batinku juga ragu untuk mengiyakannya. Namun, aku mengakui ini perasaan tersesak yang pernah kualami. Ini sudah cukup untuk menjadi bukti bahwa aku patah hati.  

Kembek in Action LOL

My Farewell meeting with X.1

My farewell meeting with all of fellas at X.1 Class of SMAN 8 Makassar . Nice to meet and to know you guys. I will see your face by your images here if I miss you so bad someday :'). So far I am proud  of you all. I know you are naughty but its normal for the teenagers like you guys. You are great students so, make your vision that you have written comes true (y).