January 2026 Edition
As we step into the new year, January brings new opportunities and experiences. In this edition of the Fulbright ETA Monthly Highlights, we reflect on the strides made, the challenges overcome, and the impact our dedicated cohort of educators across Indonesia created. From innovative teaching methods to community outreach initiatives, each story encapsulates resilience, creativity, and dedication that define our mission. Join us as we celebrate the commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding and empowering learners with the English language skills they need to thrive in a growing, interconnected world. Plus… see the exciting ways many of our ETAs are preparing for the AMINEF WORDS National Competition.
This month’s edition also includes a bonus feature article highlighting the ETA Mid-Year Enrichment Conference in Jakarta!
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.
On January 22, 2026, ETA Jason Yan, at SMK Krian 2 Sidoarjo, was in Jakarta for the annual ETA Mid-Year Conference. As part of the conference experience, some of the ETAs, along with their co-teachers, participated in an educational field trip to Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), one of Indonesia’s most iconic cultural parks. The.. Read More.
Rising Action: WORDS Preparation Underway at SMKN 9 Padang
WORDS Storytelling preparation has officially kicked off at SMK Negeri 9 Padang—ETA Aurelia Tan and counterpart Lilla Rama Dona tirelessly promoted SMKN9’s WORDS Competition to every single 10th- and 11th-grade class during the first week of classes. They were met with 25 students attending the first WORDS workshop on January 14! On Wednesday, January 14,.. Read More.
Defrosting After “Winter” Break
In the first few days back after New Year’s, ETA Brianna Adu-Kyei hosted a few gentle review sessions to get everyone at SMA Muhammadiyah 1 Taman back into the English-thinking zone. But how to get her students to dust off all those fiddly last-unit concepts? Games, of course! First, she played Mad Minutes, a competitive.. Read More.
ETA Christina Stoll and her 10th- and 11th-grade students kicked off the new semester by playing an American Culture Jeopardy game in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States. The categories included Musicians, Cities, Presidents, Sports, and Random Facts. Students excelled at answering questions about basketball players and state capitals (where the hint.. Read More.
Elementary School English Lessons
This month, ETA Emiko Wu began teaching English at a local elementary school. In collaboration with her school’s English Club, Emiko and several senior high school students plan and deliver a weekly lesson for a 6th-grade class at MIN 2 South Konawe. Emiko has especially enjoyed collaborating with the senior high school students as they.. Read More.
Mid-Year Enrichment Conference
Earlier this month, ETA Iyesha Belgrave had the opportunity to attend the Mid-Year Enrichment Conference in Jakarta. Along with 16 other ETAs and 17 co-teachers, she engaged in educational and constructive workshops to reflect on the grant thus far as well as consider ways to improve in the future. On the first day of the.. Read More.
Fulbright ETA 2026 Mid-Year Enrichment Conference
English Teaching Assistants (ETAs) and their co-teachers (Indonesian English teachers they work with at their schools) participated in the annual Fulbright ETA Program Mid-Year Enrichment Conference in Jakarta from January 19–23, 2026. The conference marks the halfway point of the grant and allows ETAs and co-teachers to share their experiences, learn best practices from one.. Read More.
