Learning English as a second language can be a rewarding experience, especially for elementary students who are at a formative stage of their education. A strong foundation in English grammar and vocabulary is essential for effective communication and further language development. UNNES GIAT 9, with its comprehensive program, aims to provide the necessary support for students to achieve proficiency in English. As we know that learning English means that we understand the basic grammar which is defined as a set of rules that structure a language and it is crucial for expressing ideas clearly and correctly. For elementary students, understanding basic grammar concepts such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, and sentence structure is the first step.Â
Therefore through UNNES (Universitas Negeri Semarang) Giat which is one of the flagship programs of Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka at UNNES or commonly known as KKN which is held from June 24, 2024 to August 17, 2024 provide the work program that aims to serve the community by targeting various fields, especially those related to education. In this activity, one of the individual work programs carried out was about "The Importance of Learning Basic English for Students of Elementary School". Its program actually carried out by UNNES GIAT 9 members, Amanda Sekar Rahmadany has taught basic vocabulary to test the memorization of how much basic English the 5th graders at SD 3 Loram Wetan have mastered. Basically, the activity in the form of teaching basic English aims to sharpen the ability of elementary school students to speak a language other than their native language, besides that it also indirectly enhances their development to learn new vocabulary which will be useful for continuing school after the elementary level.This work program was carried out precisely on July 31, 2024 with the audience of 5th grade students at SD 3 Loram Wetan. The process of this activity begins with the introduction of vocabulary related to verbs, adjectives, nouns, and counting. This is done to test the students' memory regarding the vocabulary they have learned during their learning period. Afterwards, students were given 2 worksheets containing questions related to basic English that had been repeated at the beginning of the session. Based on the results of the students' work, it shows that almost all students master the basic English material and can answer many questions correctly. Although there were some writing mistakes in the worksheets, the 5th grade students of SD 3 Loram Wetan showed that they were successful in doing the activity.
However there are some tips for beginners to quickly mastering English. First in first you can start with the very basics, which begins with simple grammar rules and gradually move to more complex ones. Don't give up easily, even if it feels difficult at the beginning but effort will not betray the results, so keep practicing because the more consistent you are, the higher chances you will master English. Despite the fact that building vocabulary is a must for an individual in order to get rich vocabulary for understanding a wide range of texts.
Mastering basic grammar and vocabulary is fundamental for elementary students learning English. With the right approach and support, students can build a strong foundation that will serve them well in their educational journey and beyond. UNNES GIAT 9's comprehensive program is an excellent resource for students looking to improve their English skills in a supportive and engaging environment. By following the tips and strategies mentioned, students can make significant progress in their English language learning.
