Understanding the High School Students’ Perceptions of the Need of Native English Teachers in Indonesian EFL Classrooms

Lembar Pengesahan tidak disertai tanda tangan dosen pembimbingThis study is intended to investigate the students‟ perceptions of the need of native English speaker teachers in Indonesian EFL classrooms. The participants of this study are 137 students (39 male and 98 female) of SMAN 1 Salatiga, Central Java. The data of this study were collected through a questionnaire. The result of this study is summarized in three findings. Firstly, the students‟ definitions of native English speakers, which define native speakers as foreign teachers, foreigners whose mother tongue are English, and foreigners who acquire English through learning. Secondly, the students enjoy the native speakers‟ fun teaching. Thirdly, this study shows that the native English speakers are needed in Indonesian EFL classrooms, especially to help the students to practice their English. However, the findings also highlight the important role Indonesian English teachers play in EFL classrooms. This is to suggest that L1 still play an important role in the L2 learning process. Based on the findings, two suggestions are proposed: team teaching with certain task division for local teachers and native English speakers should be established and language training, in this case Indonesian language, should be provided for the native English speakers. The suggestions proposed can be used as a consideration and review of employing native speakers