FOUR SKILLS IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

FOUR SKILLS IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

1. 1.      Listening comprehension is the receptive skill in the oral mode. When we speak of listening what we really mean is listening and understanding what we hear.

In our first language, we have all the skills and background knowledge we need to understand what we hear, so we probably aren’t even aware of how complex a process it is. Here we will briefly describe some of what is involved in learning to understand what we hear in a second language.
Listening, one of the means of language communication, is used most widely in people’s daily lives. In addition, teaching the learners a lot of listening activities is a good way of enlargening their vocabulary. On the other hand, it also helps the learners improve their listening comprehension. For instance, people know that the largest difference between mother language learning and foreign language learning is the environment. For a foreign language, we can meet it only in formal places and classes. Training and practicing the oral reading is not a day’s work. Practice is important. Only through the practice can the learners improve their listening comprehension.

1. 2.      Speaking is the productive skill in the oral mode. It, like the other skills, is more complicated than it seems at first and involves more than just pronouncing words.

Interactive speaking situations include face-to-face conversations and telephone calls, in which we are alternately listening and speaking, and in which we have a chance to ask for clarification, repetition, or slower speech from our conversation partner. Some speaking situations are partially interactive, such as when giving a speech to a live audience, where the convention is that the audience does not interrupt the speech. The speaker nevertheless can see the audience and judge from the expressions on their faces and body language whether or not he or she is being understood.
Some few speaking situations may be totally non-interactive, such as when recording a speech for a radio broadcast .
Speaking is often connected with listening. For example, the two-way communication makes up for the defect in communicative ability in the traditional learning. Two-way means the relationship of the communication between the teacher and the students at school. This relationship is connected with the communicative activities between two people. It can create a fresh environment for speaking language. The two-way communication can lengthen the dialogue limitlessly. This is its advantage. At the same time, if the speakers want to give the correct response, he has to think hard, the sentence is not easily forgotten which is created by themselves through thinking, sometimes with the teacher’s hint. They can talk freely and express themselves as well as they can.

1. 3.      Reading is the receptive skill in the written mode. It can develop independently of listening and speaking skills, but often develops along with them, especially in societies with a highly-developed literary tradition. Reading can help build vocabulary that helps listening comprehension at the later stages, particularly.

Reading is an important way of gaining information in language learning and it is a basic skill for a language learner. There are a lot of reading exercises in an examination today. But all these readings must be done in limited time. So learners are asked to read them correctly and with a certain speed. For instance, someone reads word by word. Someone reads with his finger pointing to the words or with his head shaking. Those are all bad habits. They should read phrase by phrase. Do not blink eyes so often and shake head. Just move the eyeball. That is enough. If they want to get more word information, there must be a proper distance between their eyes and the reading material.

1. 4.      Writing is the productive skill in the written mode. It, too, is more complicated than it seems at first, and often seems to be the hardest of the skills, even for native speakers of a language, since it involves not just a graphic representation of speech, but the development and presentation of thoughts in a structured way.

Writing is one way of providing variety in classroom procedures. It provides a learner with physical evidence of his achievements and he can measure his improvement. It helps to consolidate their grasp of vocabulary and structure, and complements the other language skills. Sentence is the base of an article. So he should begin his writing with sentences. For example, translation, sentence pattern exchanging, and text shortening and rewriting. It helps to understand the text and write compositions. It can foster the learner’s ability to summarize and to use the language freely.

bacaan islami.,,

 The green curtain

                                          By ; budi irwansyah

"How melodious it is..., who is the owner of that voice? Surely, it is more beautiful", thought Irwan, who was sitting near a curtain.

The Green curtain,  that is the recitation barrier between male and female students. This Recitation class is directly taken care of by Kiai and just followed by the  students  in Islamic boarding  boarding school., the study takes  every friday morning after  dawn until sunrise,and only once a week

Each begining of tafsir lesson,  the Kiai asked one of the students who wants to read a few ayat that will explain. Incidentally,in that  friday morning, female students’ trun  to recite  the ayat of holy qur’an ,and  this time the reciter  was a new student of santriwati .

Therefore,everyone is surprised . They are wondering about the singer of ayat the qur’an that morning. Curiosity continued to them, who wanted to know the name and the beauty of the girl behind the curtain that reading is able to penetrate the hearts of those who hear it.

No exception, Irwan. Burly man who happens to be sitting next to the reader of the qur’an,

 it is very amazing. "Oh, if the curtain is exposed, how satisfied my thirst", thought Irwan.

Throughout the lesson, Irwan can not concentrate on listening to the Kiai explanation. His heart continue to think of the voice. Letter Sounds are out of it’s makhraj (pronounce), it really penetrating Alwi inner. Her mind keep imagining the divine beauty of the singer kalam ilahi.(al qu’an)

After the recitation, Irwan is trying to ask one of his close friends.

" don’t you know??, who read the Qur’an before?"

Asked Irwan to Husin who is sitting next to him.

"Well,  had you crushed on him ", teased Husin.

"Oh, no, I am  just wondering of," Irwan said, trying to cover his embarrassment.

"It's not just you which amazed of her, but we are all too stunned," said Husin.

"Allright, let’s race to get her. But before that who is her name ? So  the race will be fair ", said Irwan .

"Well, that's the problem. I do not know," Husin said with a laugh,  satisfied has been    teasing Irwan who is in love.

Indeed, when the recitation is held at the Kiai’s house is over, there is not the slightest chance for students or female students face to face. Therefore, a way out between the male and female separates  apart. The out way  for female  straight to the kiai’s room that  concatenated to girls' dormitories. As for the male students, their way to go out  directly to the boarding page.

It is very closed! Not chunk an opportunity to look at the female students, whether in progress of recitation.

 "How can I tell her?", Thought Irwan.

Until nightfall, the  curiosity, and Irwan  can not stop it.

"Is this the name of love?" Asked Irwan in wishper.

Seeing his friend still can not close his eyes, Husin greets irwan,

 "Hey, are you daydreaming? You must  thinking about that girl, need’nt you?".

"oh no, do not disturb me, if you don’t want to give a hand", said Irwan.

"Oke, oke. Relax, my friend. I rgive up from this hunt," said Husin.

"Oh,is  that right???", said Irwan , seriously.

"Surely,. Because of you , my close friend, I give up and ready to help," said Husin.

"Then, do you know the way to know and get closer with her?" Asked Irwan,   hopefully.

"We wait for next Friday. I have a cousin. Her name is Nia. Usually she is sitting in the back. And  we send a letter and I will slip under the curtain. We give Nia and we ask who the reciter of the qur’an in that morning. How???, do you agree? "

"Well, that’s friends are for.I have clever friend like  you. Thanks buddy," Irwan said, looking relieved and happy.

***

Day after day feels so long. An hour feels a day. A day is like a week. Week as a month. A month like a year.

That’s what Irwan feels, waiting for next Friday. He is very curious to know. In fact, he has  prepared a piece of paper that contents hoping to get information about the name, place where she lives and everything about the girl who has  invaded the soul and mind.

When Friday comes, not as usual, this time  Irwan comes earliest. He wants to sit in his place as last Friday, hoping, perhaps the girl is sitting in the same place, right next to it.

"Oh no , the smell is not the same," Irwan said, disappointed. Finally he knows that this time, the girl who sits behind a curtain is not the same girl as Friday.

This time, the male students’trun who read the qur’an. Irwan is hoping that the Kiai points to himself. He wants to show his skill of reciting , while certainly hopes, his voice can penetrate to the inside of female student who has bewitched him until the seeds of love to blossom in the heart.

"Hey you..., read the verse!" The command Kiai.

How surprised! Kiai points to him. Is this what is called "Pucuk dicinta, ulam pun tiba"? Is this what the name "dating"? Absolutely incredible!

That’s what Irwan thinks. With a great enthusiasm, he recites verses of the qur’an. A song chosen the best he could. The Sheikh Abdurrahman Sudais’ style, the imam of the Masjidil Haram.

Meanwhile, Irwan is sitting in the back. When the lesson takes place, secretly, Husin sneaks a piece of paper. The sheets are passed through the bottom of the curtain. Without being asked, the paper was immediately withdrawn by tapering fingers. Who else if not  Husin’s cousin.

"A friend of mine asks  about the singer of verses of the Qur’an on Friday. What's her name and where does she come from? Please, soon to answere it. My friend loves her very much," as the contents of the letter. This last sentence was written by Husin, unknown by Alwi.

Shortly thereafter, a piece of paper  is sent back by Nia, through the bottom of the curtain. The same paper, but there is an answer that is written just below the question.

"Thank you", whispers Husin to Nia.

Not waiting for a long time, after the recitation, Irwan straight to Husin.

"What about your  mission, success isn’t it?", Asked Irwan.

"Alright, boss. But, do not forget to  treate me ‘’oke ," replied Husin, kidding.

 "Do not worry. Let's go to food stall. Let’s read the paper," Irwan invite.

Well this is a true friend," said Husin.

***

While enjoying pecel, Husin gives the paper to Irwan.

"Let’s open it together," said Husin.

"Okay. Let me read," said Alwi while taking  the paper. He really can not be patient.

"Her name is Fitri. The new student. As I know, he comes from Malang, the apple city, as beautiful as the name and pretty face. But is it right, your friend has been in love her, without seing and knowing her. I am ready to help. But, do not forget , this service is not free isn’t it "

That are all about the letter and ended by her joke. After reading it, the more Irwan’s chest pounding.

"Sin, I will write a letter to Fitri. Please give her on the next Friday ", said Irwan.

"Alright, boss. That means that next Friday morning we have breakfast together again oke", teased Husin.

***

The pages by pages of letter papers are crumpled and torn by him. Not finished yet of  one paragraph, it has been crossed out and fail to be passed. Then, write again and again.

That’s what Irwan writes a letter to the girl whom has loved, even though he does not know exactly who and what she is. As  He knows, that verses song of the qur’an that reads has pierced his heart, then how she is, certainly she is someone special. Not all women are given the good at  like that. If her  voice is so beautiful, let alone the owner.

These are the reasons why Irwan  so reckless and fast to express his love. But, to pouring his feelings into a letter, it is more difficult than crossing the Sahara desert.

Finally, after two days is written, letter is completed. Irwan has been folded neatly and ready to be sent by Nia, Husin’s cousin.

***

"Miss, some body sends the letter to you when the recitation , please take it and reply it, will you? ," said Nia to Fitri.

"where does it come from?", Asked Fitri suprised.

"I do not know for sure. If you want to reply, I can give a hand to give him ," said Nia while going.

  

***

"I do not know and even though I have not seen you before. But, since I hear the your reciting of the holy Qur’an last Friday, I was so amazed. according to al-Ghazali, is part of love. Whether this feeling is called love or not, but clearly, I can not forget it ".

"My name is Irwan the reader of the Qur’an on last Friday. For me, this is not just a chance, but this is a signal of our love from God that we will be together forever    ".

Irwan is reckless to express this love, That the two paragraphs in the letter. How dear and  so fast, without a small talk.

This letter clearly makes Fitri feeling shaken. Like lightning in the midday . He really did not think that men express his love only after hearing his voice reciting ayat of the Qur’an. Although he has not seen yet, recognizin and knowing who she is, but he has been too express his love.

"Don’t you want to know and see me  first. I'm just worried, after seing me, you will be turned away and regret".

That is the letter Fitri replies to Irwan.which the point, "Look at me, then declare your love so you will not be regret later "

Irwan also replies to that letter . "By the name of  God, I do not need to see the face.it’s  Enough for me to know you, even though from the sound that I believe, the sound is  the sky. Who you are, I would still love you. What I want, just an answer, is my love accepted?"

,Irwan expresses his love to a woman Back who is still mysterious. But, the wise word says"Love is blind"it  has burned Irwan. Because of that, he keep expresses the love, even swear by God that he would still love Fitri, the female student who is not seen by him  clearly.

"Well, I accept your love. But, I also have to prepare myself, physical and mental, to be disappointed, if later on after we met, it turns you away from me. Now it's my turn to ask, do you  really love me the way I am , and never leave me after  knowing  the real of me? ", asked Fitri in her letter.

"How many times again, I declare my love? What can I make you believe in me by,   that I love you? I am not a man who break it. Once I express a love, then i love it forever," as a piece of a sentence in a last Irwan’s letter sent to Fitri.

almost two months they exchange letters. Every Friday, both them collide love, even if only through a piece of paper. Finally, before the Islamic boarding school holiday, they promise to meet. This is an opportunity for Irwan to see with both eyes the women who has loved. And, this is the proof for Fitri to know the sincerity of Irwan’s love.

***

In a small shop, exactly at the intersection of the streets of the village, the beautiful girl has been waiting for, with red veil., she sits while enjoying a cup hot tea alone. Well, she is  Fitri. Incidentally, the shopl is usually crowded, perhaps because it is the holiday season, there are only 2-3 people buyers. It is appropriate for a date.

Shortly thereafter, visible from a distance, a man who is rushed to the shop. "is that Irwan?" Asked Fitri in wishper. Seeing the black cap and white shirt are wear by him.

Fitri’s heart is increasingly pounding, as he is closer . It’s also felt by Irwan,. That men is so curious to see sweetheart that has made him crazy. From a close distance, Irwan is more impreesed by the beautiful girl behind the veil. "Wow, how beautiful! I hope she is Fitri", thought Irwan.

" Assalamualaikum," Alwi greeted.

" Waalaikum salam ", Fitri replied, briefly, then lowered her head again.

"is it right your name Fitri??’’ Asked irwan hoping the answer is yes. Therefore, irwan is still in doubt, lest the woman is a Fitri’s friend.

"Right. I'm Fitri. Definitely, are you Irwan ?", asked  Fitri.

"Oh, how lucky I am! She is more beautiful than her voice, natural beauty, white, clean, pure, and so fascinating," said irwan in mind that most deeply.

"May I sit down?" Asked irwan.

"Please. Here is just me anyway," said Fitri with a smile.

"Oh, her smile, masya Allah....", amazed irwan in the mind.

Fitri is still sitting in her seat. She doesn’t move although a bit. Fitri wis still silent shyly. While Irwan, resolutely choses to sit face of Fitri. Centimeter-by-centimeter of Fitri, and he sees all. If unable to stop himself, surely Irwan’s saliva will  melt on his chin. The man is  really enjoying the woman he very loves.

"Now, the more I make sure my love. I am grateful, if you accepted me. It is  a gift. It is nothing less from you", said Alwi, opened the conversation."But, you  have not seen all of me, you do not know the real of me. I'm not sure, you still express the love, when shortly you will know myself", said Fitri.

"Don’t be so humble.I never  have  seen a girl as perfect as you", said Irwan , ceaseless praise.

" Is it true, you will still love me the way I am? Do not tell me, you  just loved my voice, face and looks beautiful. That is  only a small part of me. Later, if my voice has turned ugly, face has been  growing old , the body becomes frail, crippled, handicapped, and so on, you will run away from me, "said Fitri.

"I repeat again, by the name of God, I swear I'll love you forever, whatever the circumstances. I love you what it is. In fact, though later you are blind, mute, paralyzed, or whatever happens, I still love", said Alwi froth with poetic words.

By Hearing this, Fitri  can not hold back her tears unwittingly, rolled down his cheeks.

"are these all truth promises?", Said Fitri, sobbed.

Actually this hand wants to just wipe the tears . But, there is no a power.

"Do not cry. I do not want any grief at you. Are you not sure with me? Or, you even rejected my love?", Said Irwan.

"That's not what I mean. I'm not sad. In fact, I'm really touched. Therefore, only this time, there is a men expressed love to me with what is", said Fitri.

There was silence for a moment. Both enjoy drinks and snacks to witness the romance between two people who are falling in love.

"Mas (brother), do not be surprised. Look to the bottom of the table. After that, my eyes contact and restate oath and love you earlier, if I do not misshear you," said Fitri to Irwan, as if solving the silence in the afternoon.

Alwi slightly backs the plastic chairs that he occupies. Then, revealing the table pedestal. He looks down . Then, his eyes soon finds out, what on earth under the table?

Little by little, with a shaky hand, Fitri begins to lift her skirt. The girl will show her lower body.

"Mashallah. La Hawla wa la quwwata illa billah," Alwi said, softly.

Fitri was back off a skirt that had been raised. Then, the woman's flawless froze, staring straight into the face Irwan. In contrast to Alwi. The man was very heavy to lift back his head after looked down and saw to the bottom of the body Fitri. As though he could no longer deny his body.

No power at all. However, Irwan is trying to unruly. Can he reiterate in love and vow? Looks,his  eye pour of a bit tear. Between sadness, love, confusion, doubt, brave, scared, everything is jumbled inside.

"How, Mas/ brother? will you still keep to love me and determine as your promise? I'm ready to hear it," said Fitri, trying to unruly.

What is exactly shown by Fitri? And, what is exactly witnessed by Irwan? Why is intimate atmosphere that turns into sadness?

Irwan is silent for a bit long. He tries hard to staring at two Fitri’s eyes which is currently being looks at him too ,sharply exceeding the sharpness of a sword.

Now, what sentence will eject from Irwan’s cavity. Shall he love Fitri after he saw everything. Seeing something he has never been imagined.

In a low voice, as if choked in the throat, Irwan said:

"I .... I ... I still would love to what is and forever".

Hearing Irwan’s  statement, burst into Fitri’s tears.

"lhamdulillah. Thank you, Ya Allah. You have heard and answered my prayers during this time", said Fitri in the heart.

"Since when are you  like this?", Said Irwan.

", since when I was childhood mas , I have only one of footprint. I do not remember the accident that happened to me at the time. So, by one foot, I can only wait and try to beg the love of a man who would love me anything the existence and forever, "Fitri.

"The divider curtain  , that is the witness of our love. This is the blind love. That love is sincerely, although not yet seeing everything. This True love just belongs to us, forever".