On October 29, SMKN 1 Kokap held its annual Bulan Bahasa celebration, a schoolwide event dedicated to promoting language learning, creativity, and cross-cultural engagement. ETA Jackson Harris was invited as a special guest for the event, which featured competitions in book review, poem reading, and an English-language news anchor performance. Along with the SMKN 1 Kokap students, five nearby elementary schools (SD) joined the celebration by sending representatives to participate in an additional poem reading competition, creating a vibrant and collaborative atmosphere across grade levels.

As part of the festivities, Jackson served as one of the judges for the news anchor competition. This role allowed him to support students’ development in confidence, pronunciation, and public speaking while applying the communication skills practiced in English classes. Jackson also had the opportunity to engage with teachers and students from his own school and others throughout the event, talking to them and answering questions about his life and experiences in the US. This reinforced the Fulbright ETA program’s goals of strengthening English proficiency and fostering meaningful cultural exchange.

The Bulan Bahasa celebration not only showcased students’ enthusiasm for language learning and learning English but also strengthened Jackson’s connection with the school and the surrounding community. The event highlighted language as a powerful tool for creativity, communication, and bridging cultures.

Jackson Harris is currently teaching at SMKN 1 Kokap, Yogyakarta.