Learning English In Native country Or In Foreign Country

Learning English In Native country Or In Foreign Country

Learning a foreign language is not easy. There are some parts of that language that must be mastered such as vocabulary, spelling, pronunciation, or function of the language. It also happens in learning English, even though English is the majority and popular language that is taught in other countries whether as second language or foreign language. Then, in order to cover the problem, there are two common choices. First, learning English in Native country (USA, UK, and Australia) and keep only learning in original country (EFL country). Absolutely, both learning English in English native country and English as foreign language country have differences and similarities.

First, learning English in native country is different with learning English in original country in term of the using of the English based on the culture point of view. Somehow, a language is influenced by the the culture of the native country. Sapir (1884–1939), and his student, Whorf (1897–1941) stated that the way we think and view the world is determined by our language (Anderson & Lightfoot, 2002; Crystal, 1987; Hayes, Ornstein, & Gage, 1987). It also happen in English. The use of English is also influenced by the culture of the English-speaking country. The structure of the English is also influenced such as the native will say “ I broke my leg .........” in order to say that his or her leg is broken . Then, this is the benefit when learners learn English in native county, they also can learn about the use of English based on the culture of the English speaking country itself. It will give good point for learners. It will help the learners to apply English in home or work environment.

Second, the real life practice. In native country, the learners are insisted to speak in English. When they run their lives, they have to speak in English for their daily activities such as shopping, using a taxi, having a class, asking a direction or even communicate with the local citizen. It will be much different if the learners learn in their country when English is a foreign language or second language. They can use their mother tongue language because the society will understand it. Instead of that, when they would like to use English, the society will not understand. Although if they can, they only can use English in certain place and with certain people. That is why, some of learners go to USA, UK or Australia for better English learning.

Third, the role of English in educational situation based on the educational policy. In native country, English is used as intro-mental language for all the subject in educational circumstances.  It will be used since kindergarten until highest level of education. Whereas in English as Foreign language country, English only a subject that must be taught in certain level of education. For example in Indonesia, in the new curriculum in 2013, English only taught for junior and senior high school. Furthermore, although in the English Department itself. Not all the subject used English when the lecturer try to explain the subject, especially in general courses. They still combine with mother tongue language. This kind of policy will not support the learners learn English effectively.

In  the other hand, there are also some similarities between learning English in Native Country and English as Foreign language. First, whether in native or foreign country, the English learners will learn the same subject of English such as Grammar, vocabulary, and punctuation. In native country or foreign country, the learners will learn the same grammar and vocabulary ( for writen form). For example in grammar, the learners should learn about tenses and also the sentence structure (including the use of verb, to be, modals, and also sentence order). In vocabulary aspect, they will learn the same English vocabulary. According to a joint research team of Harvard University researchers and Google, it recorded an increasing of English vocabulary reached 8500 words per year. Now the total has reached 1.022 million words, so the learners in native country or foreign country should master those vocabulary slowly but sure. In spoken form, whether in foreign country and native country, the learners will learn about pronunciation, word stressing, and also language function (including exponent and expression). For example, in foreign country, the learners will learn the expression of greeting, asking and giving suggestion, introducing and many others. In English as native country, they also will learn about that.

The next similarity is the learners can learn English with media especially information and communication technology. The learners can learn through blogs and social media. ..................................