By Irfan NugrohoAs of three hours prior to the class began, I kept thinking what the best activity to teach “Comparative/Superlative Adjectives” to the ninth graders. All of sudden, the word “debate” struck my mind, and thus asked myself, “Why not?”
Teaching “Comparative/Superlative Adjectives” is about ‘educating’ students to compare hence there would be a debatable argument on any statement using these kinds of adjective. That is why, I put a great agenda that my students should be trained to think critically.
“Debate competition” I called this classroom activity. After explaining students what “comparative/superlative adjectives” are, I did conduct a small-scale debate amongst the students in my class. The emphasize of the debate is on the use of “comparative/superlative” in real communication.
Here is a complete procedures of “teaching comparative/superlative adjectives” to the ninth graders.
A. Aims
Students are able to:
- Understand what “comparative/superlative adjectives” are
- Differentiate when to use “comparative adjectives” and when to use “superlative adjectives”
- Use it in real communication
- Think critically
B. Activities
- Mentioning kinds of kata sifat (adjectives) in Bahasa Indonesia and in English
- Powerpoint presentation
- Introducing the rules of the debate
- Debate competition
C. Procedures (80 minutes)
- Warming Up (5 minutes)
I started the class by throwing some questions such as “Kenapa orang-oang barat cenderung lebih pintar daripada orang Indonesia?” (Why are Westerners considered smarter than Indonesians?).
“Bagaimana kita merubah pendapat tersebut sehingga semua orang akan berpikir bahwa orang Indonesia adalah manusia terpintar di dunia?” (How do we changed that opinion, thus people would admit that Indonesia is the smartest people on earth?)
Too much exaggerated I think but it’s OK as I was trying to boost up their motivation to study more and more. Since then, I did highlight the use of “lebih pintar” (smarter) and “paling pintar” (the smartest) then started the “Presentation Stage.”
(In another class I used questions like, “Who is the richest man in Indonesia?” and “Can you find someone richer than M. President?”)
- Explanation – Presentation Stage (25 minutes)
I used the included herein Powerpoint to explain the students about “Comparative/Superlative Adjectives.” You may download it for free.
The first and second slides of the powerpoint read “Adjectives (kata sifat)” and “What is adjective?” As I have finished telling them the definition of adjective, I got each student to mention one adjective in Bahasa Indonesia. I gave them one point to those who can also mention adjectives in English.
There would be about 40 adjectives at the end of that stage. Since then, I continued explaining about “Positive Adjective,” “Comparative Adjective,” and “Superlative Adjectives.” Two table were displayed thus they could see how an adjective can change in such ways thus results in Comparative/ Superlative Adjectives.
The presentation stage is over, continued with introduction to the rules of a debate.
- Practice Stage (10 minutes)
I began this stage by giving a statement, “I am the most handsome man in this room!” Spontaneously, students reacted in various ways – expressing that they disagreed to what I had just said.
Then, I asked them, “Do you agree with that statement?” and they loudly answered, “ No, we don’t.” If that so, I then introduced them to “I disagree with you,” or “I agree with you” to express an agreement or disagreement.
As they disagreed, I asked them once more, “What are you reasons?” They answered in various ways – unfortunately they did still use Bahasa Indonesia – and therefore I got them to compare me to the one who is “more handsome than” me. I wanted them to express the reason using “Comparative Adjectives.”
Since then, one of them said, “I am more handsome than you!” Once again, all of students laughed at the boy. Another student followed the debate while saying “I am more handsome than you (me) and him.”
- Production Stage (35 minutes)
I did as such for three statements – or you may adjust to the situation – until the students have understand the rules of the debate. Since then, I wanted one student to deliver a statement using “Superlative Adjectives” and the others responded it in disagreement as saying “I disagree with....” and using “Comparative Adjectives.”
Scoring system was set for those who can deliver statement and responded to the statement appropriately. Two points for them.
Teaching “Comparative/Superlative Adjectives” is about ‘educating’ students to compare hence there would be a debatable argument on any statement using these kinds of adjective. That is why, I put a great agenda that my students should be trained to think critically.
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