Some people believe that we need a teacher
to learn something we want; especially, in learning English. Due to the
difficulties in learning English, people tend to join English courses or even
find a private teacher. However, autodidactic learning is one of the best ways
in learning English. There are two types of autodidactic learning: old style
and new style ( Care, at al., 2011 The old style is carried out without any
help from other people and learning sources such as books, media, and the
internet that can facilitate the learning. The second is the new style. It is
relatively modern because the autodidacts are already provided with sufficient
number of learning sources such as materials, media, and other facilities. The
first style can be applied to find motivation of learning English. Autodidactic
learning achieves two types of motivation: integrative and instrumental (
Gardner, 1985 ). Integrative motivation refers to an idea that one learns
English because he or she wants to be involved in the cultures of its speaker.
Instrumental motivation deals with the expectation of getting the benefits of
English such as jobs, positions, and scholarship. Ellis ( 1994 ) introduced two
types of motivation: intrinsic an extrinsic. Intrinsic motivation mainly has to
do with the internal factors such as eagerness and interest to undertake
activities which are considered interesting and beneficial. Whereas, extrinsic
motivation is connected to the external factors such as rewards, punishments,
good marks, and successful result in examination. One of the examples of who
gets the benefit is my teacher, Suharyadi. He was an autodidactic English
learner. In his autodidactic English learning his motivation is closely related
to the extrinsic motivation although it does not provide comprehensive accounts. In this
regard, he can extend an idea that extrinsic motivation can also include thread,
underestimation, and undermining which can motivate a person to learn English.
Studies show that motivation affects the students’ English learning ( Lifrieri,
2005; Gardner, 2006 ).
Secondly, Hayati ( 2006 ) states that
students learn a number of word when using dictionaries. In the same case, Shen
( 2013 : 77 ) states that the use of a dictionary has a significant effect on
the students’ learning particularly in reading. It is also proved by
Suharyadi’s autodidactic learning technique in building his vocabularies. For
instance, he states that his dictionary is the only learning source that he
used a lot in his first stage of learning he has no idea on what and how to say
it. Besides a dictionary, he also uses a small note book to facilitate his
words building. He brings it whenever he goes. Inside the book, he makes a list
of words taken from the dictionary. His principle is ‘One word one day’.
Thirdly, Suharyadi, my lecturer, states
that autodidactic learning help memorize the new words. He adds that he also
loves name anything at home in English. He uses some papers to write on. He cut
the paper into pieces which fit the words. He writes an English word in a piece
of cut paper and attaches it on the object. So, he can see the words every day
and read them for many times expecting that he can remember the words: spelling
and meaning easily. The next is using the words in sentences. Using the words
from the dictionary is the last paramount stage in his English learning.
Furthermore, he consistently reads the words loudly many times and uses them in
sentences. He combines word by word to generate sentences without grammar
knowledge. What Suharyadi states is also supported by Hoang and Thu ( 2006 : 1 ) arguing that memorization, as one of
the learning methods, aids EFL learners learn and use the English language, as
long as they can apply it in learning consistently. Similarly, Rashidi and Omid
( 2011 ) found out that memorization is an effective way for students in
learning EFL vocabulary.
In conclusion, autodidactic learning
technique is one of the best ways to learn English language since it brings
some benefits: finding motivation, helping find vocabularies, and memorizing
the new words. So, I suggest you to learn English in an autodidactic way and
take the benefits of it.
References :
Cahyono, B. Y, & Emaliana, Ive. ( 2014 ). Success
Stories in English Language Teaching and Learning. Malang :State University
of Malang.
NAILAH SA’DIYATUL FITRIAH
Academic Persuasion
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