THE USE OF ENGLISH CLASSROOM GREETING AND CHARACTER BUILDING IN TK PELITA SARI DESA MAMBANG TABANAN

This study aims to determine activities of using English classroom greeting expressions in TK Pelita Sari, Desa Mambang, Tabanan, to find out perceptions of teachers and parents regarding development of English language skills at an early stage for the children who are influenced by habituation of this English classroom greeting activity, and to determine the positive value contained in English classroom greeting expressions on formation of children's characters. A qualitative descriptive method was employed using observation sheets and interview guides to children, teachers and parents. The results show that: first, the activity of using the English Classroom Greeting was a routine activity carried out every day by the children; second, teachers and parents perceived that the use of the expressions provided language experience for the children which resulted in positive development in speaking and listening in English. Third, there were two character values that seemed to develop along with the language experience in using English Classroom Expression, namely, friendly / communicative and social respect.