The idea for ETA Nitika Johri’s Community Engagement Project, the English Corner, started when a few English teachers and students asked her to create a space for English in the school. There was a corner in the library that had seats but never attracted any students. This corner became the perfect opportunity for an English space in the school, thus starting the idea of the English Corner at SMAN 1 Salatiga!

After a few planning sessions with students and teachers about what they would like to experience and have access to in the English Corner, the space was ready to be transformed. Nitika invited fellow ETA Sam Chen and Harrison Thomas, an American friend in Salatiga, to help with the project. During an English Club session, about 20 students helped cut, paste, decorate, and create different elements of the English Corner. They also had the opportunity to talk with and use the help of Sam and Harrison, two exciting and interesting native English speakers.

After two and a half hours, the English Corner was completed! It currently features the Feature of the Month, maps, motivational quotations, and posters for students to fill in what they have learned and shared about Indonesian and American culture. On the bookshelf, there are National Geographic magazines, English games, and other cards and crafts the students have made in English Club.

Nitika was also thrilled to find students using the English Corner to practice for the WORDS Competition, complete assignments, and taking initiative to add their own decorations!

Nitika Johri is currently teaching at SMAN 1 Salatiga, Central Java