ME AND MATHEMATICS

My name is Ratna Indrayani. In this paper, I want to talk about my "love story" on english and mathematics lesson. Started by the beginning of it's introduction (english introduction in my life) until finally I can say that now I'm ready to teach mathematics in english (related to my study program –Mathematics education).

The first time I was acquainted with english lesson is when I was in the first class of Lower Secondary School. Maybe it's sounds foolish that the first thing that made me be interested in english lesson is not on it's content, but more on the similarity of my teacher's name with me. We have the same nick name, "Ratna". I don't know why, that similarity made me always enthusiastic on learning english lesson. My enthusiasm was proven by my english lesson mark that often higher than the other students that time. My self confident became increase more and more, and made me be the best student who had the highest mark on english lesson of School Test Graduation on my Lower Secondary School that time.

When I was on the first class of Upper Secondary School, there were more number of competitive students who had the high skills on english. So that I was no more "special" on that lesson anymore. I was just an ordinary student who had an ordinary skills on it. But in the middle of semester, there was held a competition test for some lesson. I participate and choose english lesson as my choice. Through the selection to selection, it was out of my mind that I was accepted on that competition class. That incident was enough to getting up my spirit on learning english lesson again.

In the second class, there was held the same test again. But this time I choose mathematics as my choice, and I was accepted.

Mathematics and english, I exactly love both of them. It was proven by my test graduation mark of Upper Secondary School, they are 10.00 for mathematics mark, and 9.60 for english one. I'm satisfied for that.

When I wanted to continue my education to university degree, I was confuse on choosing the study program, between mathematics and english. Both of it became the most favorite class in Yogyakarta State University. My parents more support me to choose mathematics because according to them, I have more skills for that subject. And after I think about it, if a choose mathematics, and I have skills in english too, maybe someday I can teach mathematics in english. It's mean that I hope I can be a good international mathematics teacher.

Today, I have already teach english lesson in an informal forum on my village. In this forum, I was chosen to be an english teacher for the first class of elementary school until the third class of lower secondary school. Not the wage I looking for, but more on it's experience. I use that chance as an exercise media to develop my teaching ability. I'm glad because I can get this valuable chance so that I can learn a lot of new thing from it.

As the other proof of my love on mathematics and english, here I have a poem that I made by my self. This poem is about mathematics.

MATHEMATICS

Mathematics doesn't teach us awaken, but awaken strength…

Mathematics doesn't teach us we scorn our self, but exhale gallantry…

Mathematics doesn't to demoralize, but to raise the spirit…

Mathematics comes to people which still have them although expectation have been disappointed…

To which still have them although trust have been betrayed…

To which still to try although they almost surrender…

And to them which still have confidence and bravery that they can do it!

Don't ever say goodbye if you still wish to try!

Don't ever surrender if you still ready to!

Don’t ever tell you don't want to try if you still not earned it yet!

Because mathematics is the spirit of human life…

Ratna Indrayani

25-05-2008/09:52 am