February 2026 Edition
As we close out February, we reflect on a journey filled with fellowship, creativity, and cultural exchange. In this edition of the Fulbright ETA Monthly Highlights, we celebrate the ETAs’ commitment to nurturing English language proficiency and fostering cross-cultural understanding in classrooms across Indonesia.
This month, many of the ETAs hosted their local WORDS competitions — something reflected in many of their highlights. We look forward to seeing the local winners perform at the upcoming national WORDS competition.
Join us as we reflect on the transformative power of cultural exchange and the boundless potential it unlocks.
AMINEF American Program and Communications Teams
We welcome your thoughts and reflections.
Share which stories stood out, what teaching approaches sparked ideas, or which activities you’d like to explore further. Feel free to write to us at communications@aminef.or.id. Selected feedback will be featured in the next edition—and you may even receive a small token of appreciation from us.
English Storytelling at SMKN 3 Palangkaraya
February featured the successful hosting of the local WORDS competition, an English storytelling competition designed to showcase students’ creativity, confidence, and growth at SMKN 3 Palangkaraya. Led by Fulbright ETA Nia Dufeal, the event brought together 16 student participants who each presented original stories about their lives and communities in English. In the week leading.. Read More.
For the week of February 2 to February 6, ETA Victoria Djou led a safari-themed lesson focused on giving directions. The highlight was an interactive final activity that encouraged creativity, collaboration, and real-world language use. Students were divided into groups and given a small squishy toy animal, which they had to hide somewhere on the.. Read More.
When ETA Payton Storey arrived at SMAN 3 Kota Jambi in October, students eagerly asked him questions and conversed in English. But since he was still getting his bearings and needed to attend to other things, he did not indulge them heartily. So, while occasional nibbles of conversation vented their curiosity, students’ questions continued to.. Read More.
Kulon Progo SMK English Teachers Community Event
On February 11, English teachers from vocational high schools (SMK) across Kulon Progo gathered at SMKN 1 Kokap for the Kulon Progo SMK English Teachers’ Cultural Exchange Day, a Community Engagement Project led by ETA Jackson Harris in collaboration with SMKN 1 Kokap English faculty. The event brought together approximately 40 English teachers for a.. Read More.
On February 13, Charlie, an ETA at SMAN 1 Kalianda, and five of his English Club students visited a local first-grade class as part of his Community Engagement Project to teach English at elementary schools. This lesson focused on the names of fruits in English. Greeted by huge smiles from the kids, Charlie and his.. Read More.
Local WORDS Competition at SMAN 2 Palangkaraya
ETA Christina Stoll recently hosted a local WORDS competition at SMAN 2 Palangkaraya. The event featured students competing in English storytelling. The stories followed this year’s theme of “community,” which included stories about family, school life, and even Indonesia as a whole. Each story was written and performed by a student from SMAN 2 Palangkaraya.. Read More.
On February 14, ETA Alice Rodi held SMK Raden Umar Said’s (RUS) local WORDS competition. The event began in the school’s Aula (hall) at 1 pm with opening remarks from Alice, student MCs Mano and Zidane, and principal Bapak Agam. Seven students performed before intermission, followed by six more after a brief break for coffee.. Read More.
ETA Navara Syed hosted the first-ever local WORDS competition at SMKN 6 Padang! For the past six weeks, 13 students in 10th and 11th grades have been preparing for the competition. Students outlined, drafted, wrote, rewrote, and practiced presenting their stories in weekly workshops hosted by Navara. A total of five WORDS preparation sessions were.. Read More.
SMKN 3 Kendari Local WORDS Winner and His Magic Pencil
In February, ETA Jasmine Coley held her local WORDS competition at SMKN 3 Kendari. The competition included two passionate competitors, both with unique stories surrounding art communities. The stories still varied widely, from a complex story about the impacts of AI within the art community to friends within the art community boosting the self-esteem of.. Read More.
In the first week of February, ETA Jason Yan at SMK Krian 2 Sidoarjo began teaching procedural texts to 10th graders at his school. To bring the topic to life, Jason, along with his co-teachers, designed a hands-on activity that challenged students to go beyond simply writing about a process: they had to actually demonstrate.. Read More.
