Integrated Skill

(a poster about integrated skill)

Integrated skill is integrating more than one skill or all four skills in English (reading, listening, speaking, and writing) in teaching English. Before integrated skill, traditional ESL or EFL course using segregated skill.

Segregated skill is segregating language skills into reading class, listening class, speaking class, and writing class. Segregated skill assessed not suitable to be used in teaching because it only focus on one skill, so students cannot use language in meaningful way. Or in other word, segregated skill is uncommunicative.

While, the integrated skill considered more appropriate to be applied in teaching because language is used as a means of interaction, rather than an academic subject, and it is communicative.

Here some advantages and disadvantages of integrated skills:

Advantages:                                                                               

·         Language is taught in communication

·         Easy to use language in a meaningful way

·         Language is as a means of interaction than academic subject.

Disadvantages:

·         Students ca not focus on one skill at a time

·         Students cannot develop the skill that they have not mastered yet.

( The advantages and disadvantages is adapted from http://www.cenarestgabon.org/advantages-and-disadvantages-ict-integration-in-the-classroom.html )

So, which one would you choose when you are teaching? Segregated skill or integrated skill?

For me, I will choose integrated skill, moreover, now there are technologies that can help us to facilitate learning.

What is the role of technology in teaching integrated skill?

Yeah, technology can be used to teach integrated skill. The role of technology in teaching integrated skill is as the learning media. For example, teaching using Skype. By using skype, we integrate three skills, listening, speaking, and writing (note-taking).