Developing an Interactive Medium for Young Learners: Difficulties Faced By Efl Students in Multi-Level Classes

Abstract

Developing an interactive teaching medium is one of the solutions to deal with student diverse learning styles. This study attempted to develop an interactive medium to teach english vocabulary to young learners in the form of CD. Borg and Gall’s (1989) model of research and development which consisted of nine stages was employed. Needs analysis, planning, product development, product validation, main product revision, main field testing, operational product revision, operational field testing, and final product revision were performed. The data were gathered using interview and questionnaires. Both qualitative and quantitative data analyses were run. The result of prototype tryout to 40 fifth-grade students suggested no significant revision. Thus, the product could be tried out, at a larger scale, to 200 fifth-grade students who were selected randomly to represent ten elementary schools in Banyuwangi. Due to students different levels of proficiency, various problems appeared during the product implementation. Yet, findings of the study in general have confirmed the effectiveness of an interactive medium in improving student motivation to study English vocabulary.   Keywords: Interactive medium, English vocabulary, young