DEVELOPING ENGLISH LISTENING MATERIALS FOR THE TENTH GRADE STUDENTS OF MUSIC PERFORMING ART VOCATIONAL SCHOOL

The aim of this study was to find out an appropriate English listening materials for
the Grader X students of music performing art vocational school. Sekolah
Menengah Kejuruan (SMK) or Vocational School is an institution where students
are prepared to be work-ready after finishing their education in specific major.
Music Performing Art is one of the major provided in Indonesia’s vocational
school. By the fact that listening activities are often ignored by teachers and that
listening is one of the test in the National Examination, then listening activities are
considered important in English learning activity. However, the finding of materials
that provided for the Grade X students of Music Performing Art major at SMK
Negeri 11 Medan shows that the listening materials provided in the textbook are
not related to the students’ major, instead the materials are rather general and more
suitable for other major. Therefore, it is needed to develop the English listening
materials for the tenth grader of music performing art major. Small-Scale Research
and Development (R&D) is the suitable method in developing the materials. Based
on the students’ needs analysis obtained from the questionnaires which responded
by 64 students and interviews which involved 4 students, the researcher found that
78.13% of the respondents assumed that the existing materials provided by the
teachers are general, and further 93.75% expect a major-related English listening
materials. The materials are developed by adding some musical terms, like music
instruments, and topics related to musical field, like popular singer’s profile, as a
step to meet the students’ needs. The experts’ validation shows that the materials
are appropriate and recommended to be used. Based on the result of the study,
conclusion and suggestions are directed to the English teachers in SMK Negeri 11
Medan, especially, and in other music major vocational school, generally, who are
expected to provide materials which are related to the students’ major, by doing so
the students might have motivation in learning English and to support their
knowledge to be a professional musicians.