UNIT 1

Language and Culture

TASK 1 (WARM UP)

Answer these questions sufficiently.
1. Do you like blogging activities? What do you usually do?
2. What are the advantages of blogging?
3. What are the challenges of a blog writer to promote his/her blogs popularity?

TASK 2 (READING)
The following text is taken from a blog entitled Me and Around. In this text the writer
shares her thought about English learning. Read the text quickly and scan two basic reasons
of learning English according to the writer.
English in Indonesia
By Fadila M. Hafsah
Today, it is highly essential to know the language for communication. In general, the most
popular language is English. In this computer age, English is the only language that anyone
can understand. As international language English is a dominant language in this world. It is
used in commerce and science because dealing with many languages is too complex and
costly. It does not really matter what language it is, but if we decide ideologically that we will
not learn it, the world is not going to be a path for accommodating us to make a change in our
lives. The Indonesian should master English because of two reasons, we can communicate
with almost all of people in this world with English and it helps us to make a change for our
country and also our lives.

First, we can communicate with almost all of people in this world with English. There are
many languages in Indonesia. Each part of Indonesia has its own language. In fact, there are
more than 742 languages all over Indonesia. Most Indonesians speak at least one of the
several hundred local languages, often as their first language. But how can we communicate
with them if we dont understand? And the answer is only with Bahasa. So we are able to
communicate with other Indonesians people otherwise we have to learn those 742 languages
to be able to speak around us. We can see in this world there are many countries and almost
every country has different language. If we do not use English to communicate, it will be
difficult to communicate with other people from other countries. Because one language that
almost of all countries can use is English.
Second, English can help us to make a change for our country and also our lives. If we care
enough for something in around us, we can conclude that almost of all technology use
English. Because, we as Indonesian, must understand how to operate and understand it and
for it, we must learn it. We can understand something only if learn it, right? Not because
English is our national language since we were born like some countries. The other example,
we can have collaboration with other country. And we must use English for communicate
with our partner. We will have a good quality of work if we can understand each other. So, a
change for our country and also our lives will be created as well as we want.
The Indonesians should master English for the better future and the better life. Because, with
English, we can communicate with almost of all people in this world and get job easily if we
can speak English very well. I agree if some people said that learning English is not easy as
we only said it. But, like some people said You can because you want it! So in conclusion,
English is very important thing to learn by us to survive ourselves in this globalization era.
This is what Im thinking about, how about you there?

TASK 3 (SPEAKING)
Make a group of four and discuss the issues in English learning by answering these
questions.
1. Do you agree with the writers opinion that English is important for Indonesian
modern societies? Why or why not?
2. What are the possible emerging problems when Indonesians intend to learn English?
What are the causes of each problem?
3. What are the best solutions to ease Indonesians in learning English?

TASK 4 (WRITING)
Write the result of discussion in TASK 3 in the following column.
Why (or why not)
English is important

Indonesians problem in Problem 1 Cause

English learning

Problem 2 Cause

Problem 3 Cause

Solution
Overview: Essay
An essay is a nonfiction text that tries to deliver an idea in interesting way. It consists of three
parts, i.e. an introduction, a body (usually including some main ideas), and a conclusion. The
main idea of an essay is called thesis statement, written in the introduction part. The
paragraphs which build an essay follow the general structure of paragraph. Each of them
should have a topic sentence and some supporting sentences. The following diagram shows
the structure of the basic three-part essay.

TASK 5 (WRITING)
Go Back to the text English in Indonesia and complete the following essay outline
based on the text.
English in Indonesia

1. Introduction
a. The background of the topic :
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
b. Thesis statement:
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
2. Body 1
a. Main idea:
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
b. Supporting idea(s)
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
3. Body 2
a. Main idea:
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
b. Supporting idea(s)
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
4. Conclusion
a. Concluding sentence:
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
b. Suggestion:
Now arrange your own essay outline using the result of the discussion about English
in Indonesia
 Obstacles in Learning English

1. Introduction
a. The background of the topic :
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
b. Thesis statement:
However, there are_____ possible problems found when Indonesians decide to
learn English: ________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
2. Body 1
a. Main idea:
The first problem is
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
b. Supporting idea(s)
This problem is caused by
__________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

3. Body 2
a. Main idea:
The second problem is____________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
b. Supporting idea(s)
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
4. Conclusion
a. Concluding sentence:
In
conclusion,____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
b. Suggestion:

TASK 6 (GRAMMAR)
PERSONAL PRONOUN
The writer of English in Indonesia writes the essay in her point of view so she
mostly uses first personal pronoun such as I, We, Us, and Our. Think about rewriting the
text in your point of view by changing the personal pronouns. The following copied
sentences contain the first personal pronoun expressions. Reformulate the sentence by
switching the first personal pronouns into the proper nouns of third personal pronouns
without changing the meaning.
1. It does not really matter what language it is, but if people, we decide ideologically
that we will not learn it, the world is not going to be a path for accommodating us to
make a change in our lives.
It does not really matter what language it is, but if people decide ideologically that they
will not learn it, the world is not going to be a path for accommodating them to make a
change in their lives.

2. The Indonesian should master English because of two reasons, we can communicate
with almost all of people in this world with English and it helps us to make a change for
our country and also our lives.
3.
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

4. Most Indonesians speak at least one of the several hundred local languages, often as
their first language. But how can we communicate with them if we dont understand?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

5. Second, English can help us make a change for our country and also our lives. If we
care enough for something in around us, we can conclude that almost of all technology
use English.

_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

6. The Indonesians should master English for the better future and the better life.
Because, with English, we can communicate with almost of all people in this world and
get job easily if we can speak English very well.
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

EXPRESSING OPINION
In my view, from my point of view, in my opinion are all fairly formal ways of
expressing opinions.
From my point of view it makes no difference whether you return on Saturday night
or Sunday morning.

In my view (or in my opinion), birds should not be kept in cages.

to my mind: to emphasize that this is your opinion

reckon: usually to express an opinion about what Is likely to happen
feel: to express a strong personal opinion
if you ask me: to express an opinion that may be critical
 to be honest (with you): to express a critical opinion without seeming rude
as far as I'm concerned: to express an opinion that may be different from others'
To my mind the quality of their football is just not good enough.

I reckon it'll rain later today. Let's go tomorrow.

I feel she shouldn't be getting married so young.

If you ask me, it's unreasonable to pay for something which should be free.

To be honest (with you), I'm surprised you got into university with such low
grades.

As far as I'm concerned, the matter is over and done with and we can now
move forward.

If you are required to write an academic essay in which you are asked to express an
opinion (see below), useful alternatives to in my view include:
I think that
It seems to me that
I would argue that
I believe that it is quite unacceptable for animals to be kept in zoos.
It seems to me that when animals are confined to a cage they never have enough room
to move around.
I would argue that it is kinder to allow a rare animal to die naturally in the wilds rather
than to prolong its life artificially in a zoo.
TASK 7 (GRAMMAR)
Write sentences of opinion based on the discussion result written in TASK 4 using the
following expressions of giving opinion.
1. In my opinion,___________Most of people in Indonesia are barely motivated to learn
English.
________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
2. I feel that English rules the world._____
______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
3. I would argue that we need to work hard to be
successful________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

TASK 8 (VOCABULARY)
Match the word on the left column with the proper definition provided in the right
side by drawing a line.
commerce the language learned by children and
passed from one generation to the next
computer age to give or interchange thoughts, feelings, information, or the like
to communicate an interchange of goods or commodities
local language worldwide integration and development
first language the period in modern history characterized by computer use and
 development and its effects on all aspects of life
collaboration regional language
globalization the act of working with another or others on a joint project