Bukittinggi is known for being a popular tourist destination. This past month, ETA Ammarah Rehman and her English co-teacher Pak Hans decided to take their students on a field trip to one of the most popular tourist attractions in Bukittinggi, Jam Gadang. The tenth graders at MAN 2 Bukittinggi are learning about tourist locations. Therefore, ETA Ammarah had an idea to bring all of the students to the famous clock tower and have the students give a tour of the location.

Jam Gadang was built in 1926, during the Dutch colonization, as a gift from Queen Wilhelmina. The clock tower is printed on several t-shirts, key chains and painted across the city. Every Saturday night, there is a performance at Jam Gadang!

Ammarah and Pak Hans brought the students to Jam Gadang early in the morning and sat all the students down in a circle by the tower. Ammarah asked the students, “What will you tell a tourist about Jam Gadang?” The students went around the circle and stated a fact about the tower. The students were then given a Jam Gadang fact sheet that explained the history and cultural significance of Jam Gadang. The students practiced reading the fact sheet out loud and practiced giving a tour of Jam Gadang using their own knowledge and the fact sheet. Afterward, the students made YouTube-style videos of themselves giving a tour of Jam Gadang. The students really enjoyed being about to use English outside of the classroom!

Ammarah Rehman is currently teaching at MAN 2 Bukittinggi, West Sumatra.