Should Eng Breaking Replace English Teachers in Schools?

Now, we come to a real global era. Once, I asked to a Microsoft's representative  in one of webinars held by Education and Culture Office of Jawa Tengah, Mr. Obet Hoseanto, The Education Industry Manager of Microsoft Indonesia, about the position of English language. He said that English language is the minimum language that must be mastered by students. In addition, he emphasized that students should learn two or three other more foreign languages so they can compete globally. For me, this minimum language is quite interesting to discuss, whether it should be in the box or out of the box of schools.

Dr. Muhdi, SH, M.Hum, the chief of Teachers Association of The Republic of Indonesia (PGRI) Jawa Tengah in the same occasion  also stated that in this era we should not speak students' competencies because these competencies are always developing. We, as teachers, should increase students' curiosities to learn more and more so they will be ready to face the Revolution Industry 4.0. What he said is not without consideration. Let's see our successes in teaching. Are we really successful in teaching competencies? I admit I am not. Students just learn it and forget it, except the stories I bring, the jokes I tell or songs we sing together.

If the school circumstance of learning is static on this way where English is taught in solitary, I am very sure Eng Breaking can enter the schools easily because the students recommend it. The students are schools' consumers so they can demand something for good. Is it a threat for English teachers in schools?

I would like to propose three things to calm this situation.

First, government should adopt and adapt the Eng Breaking curriculum to schools through block learning system. We have to recognize that these course  methods, techniques, and materials are so incredible right now. Don't ask me whether I have already bought the course or not. Honestly, I have not bought it yet but I always observed its advertisements wherever they were shown in YouTube. I browsed to its website and learned it. 

There is no fault for the government to bring it to schools because one of our national education purposes is to develop students' potentials. By Eng Breaking, this purpose can be gained easily related to English language. By maintaining this path, students will be skillful in using the language and automatically they will be hungry for new challenges of practicing the skill to develop their potentials. 

Second, when English language is practiced regularly in 15-30 minutes everyday, teachers will get benefit from it. It will be easier to lead students to the next levels of using English. It is almost the time to deliver all lessons in English language, isn't it? Most ASEAN countries use English as the language of instruction. When I was joining a short course in Singapore, I met teachers from Thailand, Myanmar, and Brunei Darussalam. They told me that English is used to teach mathematics, physics, biology, etc. It will be English teachers' new job to accompany other subject teachers to implement the language. Maybe we will be their peers in teaching their subjects or we should edit their materials before shared to students. New challenge.

Third, academic writing in English language should be encouraged in schools. Why? Because academic writing is very important in communicating ideas. It is also a must in 21st century learning. Due to "different brain, different outcome", we should train our students with this skill so they can find their own distinctive features.

Once, when I had to teach simple report writing for 12 grade of my vocational school, I asked my students to really do it in a very simple way. First, I divided my students into groups of five or six. I shared the topics with one group one topic. The topic was related to their near life situations such as food, music, learning style, social media, and game. 

They made survey to collect opinions about preferences on the topic they got, example: what kind of music they like, why and give suggestions. Based on the survey I asked them to write simple report scientifically using academic writing guidance. It was very difficult for them at the beginning and far from perfect. 

I found a proof that different ways of thinking really resulted in uniqueness. They are unique on their own ways. But, I am so sure that they can do better if they understand the English language better. I will be so assisted if such kind of Eng Breaking comes to my school. The academic writing skill will soar fast.