During the week of April 20-24, Fulbright ETA Andre Edmond facilitated performances in his classroom sessions on storytelling in dramas at SMAN 1 Praya. For 3 weeks, the students had been preparing to create a short performance based on an Indonesian legend or myth of their choosing in small groups of 4-6.

The students chose a variety of Indonesian stories to perform for their project. Not only did the stories they told originate from Lombok, but also from Sumatra, Sulawesi, Kalimantan, and Java. The students had to create their own script based on the story, writing dialogue to be spoken later in their performance. Additionally, students created a variety of props from scratch to enhance the visual appeal of their story. This activity gave students the opportunity to use the simple past tense both in a written and speaking activity.

Storytelling is a major component throughout Indonesia and within Lombok. The project the students created allows them to freely express their heritage while also enhancing their English speaking skills in a non-traditional classroom activity.

Andre Edmond is currently teaching at SMAN 1 Praya, Lombok Tengah, Nusa Tenggara Barat.