Name : Auliah Dwi Purnama (1182040024)

Aneu Nurbayani (1182040015)

Anita Zukhrufah (1182040019)
Class : 6A
Journal: Some New Trends for Applied Linguistics and Foreign Language Teaching in the
United States

Author: Karl C. Diller

1.1 Summary
Language teaching in the United States is undergoing a profound transformation in the new
climate created by generative grammar and cognitive psychology.
Five ideas or trends that most important or hopeful for improving the teaching of foreign
languages in the late 1970's.
1. The linguistic theories of Noam Chomsky have challenged or overturned many
presuppositions about language learning, and have undermined the theoretical basis for
mimicry, memorization, and pattern drills as language teaching methods; new conditions
have likewise undermined the pragmatic basis of these methods.
2. A renewed appreciation of the importance of grammar in language learning is following
the acceptance of the fact that language is not merely a matter of conditioned habits, but
rather, is characterized by rule-governed creativity. Experimental justification for this has
been found.
3. Error analysis is fulfilling the function of contrastive structural analysis in a more
workable and pragmatic way.
4. Meaningful use of both oral and written language is being emphasized in the effort to
help students understand and generate new sentences. Several very different new methods
have developed which have this point in common (e.g. those of Asher and of Winitz and
Reeds, the Silent Way, and Community Language learning).
5. In light of these trends, the temporary phase of eclecticism among confused teachers is
giving way to a balanced set of methods and techniques suited to several individual
learning strategies, as new criteria for choosing and devising language teaching methods
are being developed.
1.2 Discussion
The English language is essential for all EFL students to gain vocational chances.
Meanwhile, in Indonesia, many teachers underestimate the process of English learning.
Mostly, Indonesian teachers use mimicry-memorization and pattern drill methods. These
methods usually lead the students into learning confusion because they do not know the
essential point of a language that will be taught.
Therefore, the mentioned five new trends in the journal can be applied to the Indonesian
education system. From those five trends, meaningful learning is the most suitable method to
be applied in Indonesia because Indonesian students need to achieve knowledge that will be
long-lasting in their minds.
The government must renew teaching and learning policies, especially in accepting some
individuals to be a teacher. Before being appointed as a teacher, an individual should pass a
variety of tests and training. If the government is wiser and more thorough in assigning an
individual to be a teacher, then the students should not be worried because they have been
guaranteed with a capable teacher who does not only know but understands the overall
aspects of a target language that being taught.
1.3 Conclusion
In conclusion, the five new trends for applied linguistics and foreign language teaching
are also feasible to be applied in the Indonesian education system. The new methods are
more emphasized meaningful practice and exclude imitating, memorizing, and pattern drills,
such as those used by many teachers in Indonesia. Students need more contextual learning so
that they can use language more naturally in real life. In this case, it is not only teachers who
must be involved in the new movement but also the government, which has an essential role
in improving the education system's quality. Therefore, harmony between educators and
stakeholders in the field of education in Indonesia is crucial.

Reference
Diller, K. (1975). Some New Trends for Applied Linguistics and Foreign Language Teaching in the
United States. TESOL Quarterly, 9(1), 65-73. doi:10.2307/3586013