ABSTRACT
Global competition has been marked by communication across national borders. Therefore, language learning should be established in a position where it can contribute to competitiveness among nations. When a coalition, called the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, was formed in the United States, they observed that every individual should be more than capable not only of reading, math and science, but must also be equipped with such skills as critical thinking, solving complex and multidisciplinary problems, and the ability to communicate and collaborate. All of these skills, especially the ability to communicate and collaborate. require the strengthening of language learning, as language is a very basic tool for communication and collaboration. This article is therefore intended to elaborate the key issues of restructuring the teaching of English in empowering Indonesians to respond to global competition. The data reported here were gathered from selected English teachers in Indonesia, in the face of the current and future challenges. In addition to this, the teachers’ perceptions on the implementation of the so-called scientific approach to the teaching of English, as suggested in the 2013 National Curriculum, were also sought and explored. Using descriptive, quantitative analysis, the data gathered are interpreted and presented here.
