In early February 2025, ETA Hira Baig, in collaboration with her co-teacher and counterpart Ridha Astanti, led an interactive lesson with students from Class 10 Culinary two at SMKN 5 Pontianak. The lesson focused on reading and interpreting bar graphs and charts in English. It encouraged students to apply their English skills in a practical and engaging way while incorporating real-world data collection.

After an introduction to bar graphs and key vocabulary, students were divided into groups of five to six. Each group surveyed their classmates on popular topics such as favorite foods, drinks, snacks, desserts, school subjects, and cafes in Pontianak. Using the collected data, students created colorful bar chart posters and prepared short presentations in English to explain their findings. Each student was required to speak at least once during their presentation, encouraging everyone to use their English-speaking skills.

The activity reinforced students’ understanding of data representation and allowed them to practice speaking English in an academic setting. The students showed enthusiasm in the survey process and their presentations, making the lesson educational and enjoyable. Through this activity, the students gained confidence in using English for real-life communication.

Hira Baig is currently teaching at SMKN 5 Pontianak, West Kalimantan.