Contextual Approach Through Mind Mapping Technique: A Case in EFL/ESL Writing Class

The aim of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of learning to write friendship short stories using a contextual approach through mind map techniques. Specifically, it aimed to describe the planning, implementation and evaluation process of learning to write friendship short stories using a contextual approach through a mind mapping model and to examine its effectiveness. This qualitative descriptive research used several methods. The documentation method was used to collect data in the form of documents, both primary and secondary documents that supported the learning process in class such as lesson plans. Observation method was undertaken to find out how learning activities to write short stories used a contextual approach through mind map techniques. The testing method was used to find out the results of students' writing in the form of short story texts through the mind mapping technique that had been created, and the interview was carried out to find out the application of the contextual approach in the learning to write short stories, and to find out students' responses upon the application of a contextual approach through the mind map technique. The subjects in this research were class IX Indonesian language students at Pelangi Dharma Nusantara junior high school with a total of 28 students per class. Results of the study revealed that the implemented technique was evident from students’ achievements. In addition, students’ responses through interviews were strongly supportive to yield that this approach was successful.