The suitable methods for teaching English to elementary school students based on their psychological situations

Nowadays, English is considered as an essential language that should be mastered by most people. In Indonesia, English has been taught since elementary school. However, the result is not satisfying. It can be seen that most of SMU students do not master English although they have learned it for about 6 years. The writer considers that the inability of Indonesian students in mastering English is caused at the beginning they got English. At the beginning of getting English, the students have found it difficult and boring because they have to memorise words that are obviously new for them. Thus, the writer chooses to observe the English teaching at the elementary school. In this study the writer makes an observation about the teaching and learning activities at “St. Theresia II” and “St. Yohannes Gabriel” catholic elementary schools. She also observed the psychological situations of the students, how the students’ feeling toward English lesson, and their expectations after getting English lesson. From the observations, it could be determined that teaching objective for elementary school is speaking. Thus, the writer held experiments of five methods which have he goal of communication. The material of the experiment was adjusted with the material in the text book used by the students. The experiments were held at “St. Yohannes Gabriel” elementary school. The writer gives some suggestions about how to increase students’ motivation in learning English especially what the students regard as difficult. The writer realizes that this study still needs to be developed. Thus, it is suggested that other students researchers related can conduct further studies in the future