ICT and Action Research Training in Makassar

The second workshop of 10 February 2007 in Makassar aimed to improve teachers’ skills in the use of computers as a tool to boost the learning of English Language. Jalu, helped by Ibu Ratna (2005 alumna) conducted a workshop on using CD ROM English program application to provide alternative and make initiative in upgrading students’ skills particularly in listening. Around 25 teachers were taught step by step on how to use the CD. They enjoyed the CD program and admitted that it was very useful for their teaching resources. SATA gave away each participant a CD and English teaching materials as learning resource. At the other occasion, 3 alumni were present to take the chance to share exchange experiences of their stay in the US. They were Busyaeri Jafat (as usually called Erik) of 2006 YES program and 2 Pak Yaumin and Wahyudin of Aminef alumni. Erik shared an experience of how he could participate in the program and had a testimony of his stay with American family and went to school there. The most important lesson he explained was that the discipline of time of Americans and parents gave a strong attention on their children education and the progress of child’s learning. Attendees were curious of finding out to get the change to join the programs and wanted to learn from them.

Workshop for Elementary Teachers in Jakarta

Linking with some teachers in Jakarta area, SATA was invited by Ar-Rahman Islamic Elementary School to hold a joint workshop of Active Learning for Primary Teachers located at Ar-Rahman Islamic School. The Saturday workshop was initiated to build connection with many Islamic schools, particularly for elementary level. Jalu, the coordinator of SATA, delivered active learning best practices in the specific area of understanding learning styles of every student to optimize the students’ absorption of lessons. With other two presenters who are Jalu’s colleague from his previous school, the workshop was stresses on the creativity of teachers teaching in classroom to design learning which is more integrated so the learning is more hands-on. 45 teachers were present in the workshop and they had testified that such program was really helping them in the improvement of the classroom best practices as they also hoped for another training in the future. At the end, SATA presented 10 reusable camera packages for the participating schools to document their process of learning with their students.

English Teacher Immersion Program in Surabaya

The workshop entitled “English Teacher Immersion Program” organized by State Alumni Teachers Association (SATA) in collaboration with Al Hikmah Middle School invited around 50 English teachers in South Surabaya area. Many alumni involved in the workshop. This workshop was attended by local Education Officer (Dinas) and Head of MGMP. Mary Beth took the opening remark to speak about US-Indonesian relations, particularly in educational programs. Then Ibu Ratna of American Corner appeared to speak about her office. They were both very pleased to be invited and hoped the program gave a lot benefit for the participants. Bu Pratiwi (Aminef alumna) delivered her lesson on Genre Based Text and Promoting Intercultural Learning, while Pak Eddy (Aminef alumnus) performed more practical teaching initiatives for English teachers. The participants gained more ideas in developing their teachings. Jalu spoke more in class management, specifically his experience in developing student discipline. He also involved them in a creativity game. Silfia and Dian, alumni of 2005 program, worked hard to make the event happen. They worked together with their colleagues to set everything ready for the success of the program. On this occasion, the US Consulate Surabaya distributed many sets of book about America for all participants and SATA donated 10 mini reusable cameras (to document teachings) and some English teaching materials. SATA also donated a set of computer + printer for a poor middle school named IT-TAQU.

Click http://new.photos.yahoo.com/jalueleven/album/576460762388676823 for photos.

Thank You Madania and Good Bye friends!

Dear all,

Assalamu'alaikum Wr. Wb.
20th December 2006 is going to be my last day to be with Madania. I am going to resign from this school due to my new job at Sampoerna Foundation Teacher Institute. My first day there is going to be on the 2nd January 2007 and I look forward to it. I am going to work in the special program development whose job is to develop possible training programs for teachers and deliver training for teachers.

4,5 years with Madania has given me a lot of great things. I have been through wonderful times being a teacher of elementary (4 years) and middle year (6 months). As a teacher, Madania has taught me fantastic lessons to grow and learn together with other teachers to be 'real' teachers, maybe most wanted teachers. I will never forget all the great times I used to have such as the Ciputat training days in 2002, the experiences being with my lovely students in grade 5 (2002/2003), 2J (2003/2004), 3J (2004/2005), 3J (2005/2006), and my 6-months stay with my teenage students in 8J (2006/2007) this year. Those years are fascinating! Thank you to my great, helpful, and fun colleagues who have supported and worked hand-in-hand to make all teaching experiences possible for the students for their growth academically, physically, mentally, and socially. Hope they will be 'great people' someday to make a better nation and the world in the future. I shall also thank to the parents whose children were my students in those years I was with them. Thank you and I will never forget all the assistance and wonderful cooperation. I wish a greater success for Madania school in the future and look forward to the possible partnership with my new institution we can make in the making of better educational program tomorrow. To all dearest Madanians, wish you all the best and in your work. I will never forget you all.

Last, I would like to appologize for all the mistakes I have made to all of you my dear fellows. I hope to see you again in the future occasions to work together in possible forms of cooperation. God blesses you all.
Take care.
Wassalam.

EL Formative Test

Dear parents and students,

El formative test for grade 8 will be on 11-15 December 2006.
The test will assess students' listening, reading, grammar application (present tenses and passice voice) and writing. Oral test is given too and will be assessed by John. Have your child be ready and good luck students!

Workshop for Teachers in Makassar

State Alumni Teacher's Association (SATA) held a day workshop for teachers in Makassar. It was on Saturday, November 25 in UIN Alauddin campus Makassar City. Although we expected about 50 teachers to attend the event, surprisingly we had around 80 teachers participated in the workshop. The workshop was about KTSP (2006 curriculum) and best practices in teaching. Before the workshop, the audience received very valuable information about American scholarships for teachers and students in Makassar who would like to continue their study in the US. Michael McCoy explained all about it and the audience looked enthusiastic about finding more a program called ETA (English Teaching Assisstances). On the other occasion, the representative from USAID and American Cormer also presented their programs on education in Indonesia and how the US government takes an active part in the development of the education.

The workshop was also attended by the rector of UIN Makassar and he took the chance to open it. Pak Muis, the director of Lembaga Bahasa UIN, spoke about the English Language Center which provides a wide access to public for resources in learning and teaching. Pak Jalu led a discussion on KTSP and how his school has implemented it in the classrooms. Some participants shared their experiences about the implementation of KTSP and the obstacles they had to get resolutions from the audience and speaker. In the other rooms, Anthony Zak, American Fellow in Makassar, taught English teachers some practical strategies handling large classes.

In the end, SATA commited to donate a computer set to a poor school in Makassar as a action of community service. The distribution will be made in December this year. To make a post action of the workshop, the audience was challenged to compete to design a creative lesson plan in their classroom learning and SATA will provide a pocket camera and a mini grant to support the activities.

The audience passed positive comments on the event, but some of them regreted about the limited time they had. They hope to have a similar event in the near future to enhance quality teaching.

Click http://new.photos.yahoo.com/jalueleven/album/576460762356909503 for photos.

Blog Workshop

My first collaborative work between Alumni Teachers and my institution Madania School was to conduct a one-day ICT workshop for teachers on Saturday Oct 7, 2006 at Madania campus, Parung, Bogor. On the workshop entitling "The advantanges of weblog in the learning processes", I was asked to deliver a sharing time with the participants, who were teachers and school administrators, about my experience in creating and benefitting weblog. After sharing, I trained about 50 teachers on how to create a weblog. Each participant received a tutotial book about Blogging provided by State Alumni Teachers. After the workshop, the participants now have had a weblog and they would optimize it in publishing and supporting the process of learning in their classrooms. This workshop was also a collaboration among, Madania School, Alumni Teachers, Microsoft, and Detikinet. Click http://photos.yahoo.com/jalueleven for more photos.

English EHB (Monday 9 Oct)

The Grammar Topics for English EHB are:

• Simple Present Tense
• Simple Past Tense
• Present Perfect Tense
• Modal Auxiliaries (can, may, must, be allowed to, etc)
• Question Form (Direct Question: Who are you waiting for? --> Indirect Questions: May I know who you are waiting for?; Does she speak French? --> Can you tell me if she speaks French?)
• Imperative (command) sentence
• Passive Voice (A Mouse ate the cheese. --> the cheese was eaten by a mouse)

PS: Study the Formative Test 1 and 2 Problems, Practice your Reading Comprehension and Writing.
Good Luck!
online resource: click www.englishclub.com/grammar/