In February, tenth-grade classes at SMKN 1 Sangatta Utara learned about narrative text and storytelling. Spread over four lessons, students created their own characters, plots, illustrations, and then put them all together in a final storyboard, which they presented to their class.

ETA Brian Miner was very proud to see how students took advantage of the opportunity in class to make creative and entertaining stories in English. Brian also hosted a local WORDS competition at SMKN 1 Sangatta Utara on February 23.

Eight students performed and fourteen submitted their storybooks. The students’ performances and stories centered on the theme “Future of Indonesia.” Brian was very impressed with his students’ storytelling abilities and their artistic talents. He is inspired by their messages for a better future in Indonesia.

Brian is especially thankful for Tiastono Taufiq, Flora Irawati, and Nur Haeda, who judged the competition at SMKN 1. After judging the WORDS competition at SMA 2 Sangatta Utara and seeing students from SMKN 1 perform, Brian is even more excited to see all the participants compete at the national competition in Jakarta this April.

Brian Miner is currently teaching at SMKN 1 Sangatta Utara, East Kalimantan