October 2024 Edition
October marks the changing seasons as fall begins and the temperature drops in much of the United States. Still, here in Indonesia, October signifies the arrival of a different season: the much-needed rainy season. In this collection of the Monthly Highlights, you’ll get a glimpse of how ETAs are engaging in local celebrations and sharing their own culture with Indonesian communities. Click through to read some unique and exciting stories from the 2024-2025 ETA cohort!
AMINEF American Program and Communications Teams
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Interactive English Learning in Action
In October 2024, Annie Cowen, a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) at SMA Xaverius Bandar Lampung, focused on integrating interactive classroom activities to enhance student engagement during her first full month. Annie executed lessons with engaging activities alongside her co-teachers and incorporated innovative learning strategies. These lessons encouraged and relied on active student participation by.. Read More.
Engaging English Games in Class
During the week of October 7, ETA Hira Baig at SMKN 5 Pontianak led an engaging series of English language games designed to enhance students’ communication skills in a fun and interactive way. The activities included popular language-learning games that got them up and moving, encouraging students to actively participate and practice their English in.. Read More.
School Camping Trip in the North Sumatran Highlands
ETA Brady Allen joined students and teachers on a camping trip to Lau Kawar in North Sumatra in late September. From dirt roads to incredible highland views, the journey via motorbike from SMKN 1 Kutalimbaru was an adventure. At camp, Brady bonded with students and teachers over many hours of card games. He even attempted.. Read More.
ETA Kylie Eiselstein began a “Theater Talks” project with the American Corner at Universitas Tanjungpura (Amcor UNTAN) this month. The series will take place once every two weeks throughout the year, with Kylie as the primary speaker. At the first session, to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, students gathered to watch Disney’s “Coco” (there weren’t many.. Read More.
Speak Slowly and Carry Pixie Sticks
ETA Hannah Semmes believes “speak slowly and carry pixie sticks” is a more effective policy than Teddy Roosevelt’s “speak softly and carry a big stick.” To practice procedural text, Hannah and her students made DIY Oralit, an Indonesian rehydration drink she learned to make at the AMINEF orientation. To incorporate culturally relevant material, Hannah and.. Read More.
On the third of October, one of ETA Alyssa Guiang’s classes brought the classroom to her! Morning classes were just starting at SMAN 1 Tomohon, and Alyssa was invited outside to try playing kolintang, a traditional percussion instrument native to the Minahasa regency in North Sulawesi. This instrument is usually played in an ensemble accompanied.. Read More.
ETA Adeena Ali recently attended the SMA Negeri 2 Tanjung Pandan students’ Art Festival, where she was invited to judge the “English Storytelling” competition. Student finalists showcased their storytelling skills by retelling legends such as “Si Kelingking” (The Little Finger), “Putri Nurjanu” (Princess Nurjanu), and “Raja Berekor” (The King of Tail). The festival also featured.. Read More.
This month, after a school trip to Palembang, ETA Maria Osman’s classes returned to a lively introduction of analytical exposition text with an interactive opinion game. Despite the rainy weather outside, the atmosphere inside the classroom was filled with excitement and energy. Maria divided the students into five groups and set up seven “opinion posts”.. Read More.
Bridging US Education with Semarang Classrooms
At the end of October, ETA Manav Rungta gave a compelling hour-long lecture at the MGMP (Musyawarah Guru Mata Pelajaran) English teachers’ workgroup meeting for senior high schools in Semarang. His presentation focused on the American education system, particularly in relation to English language instruction throughout elementary, middle, and high school. Speaking to all the.. Read More.
Just Dance! and Eat, and Shop…
Two weeks without class isn’t a vacation at SMA Negeri 1 Manggar! Instead, students worked on P5 (Proyek Penguatan Profil Pelajar Pancasila) projects on entrepreneurship and health. Throughout the two weeks, ETA Mary Breen chatted with the students in different classes and even learned the line dances choreographed by the 12th-grade classes. On October 3,.. Read More.
