In the final week before the Eid Al Fitr break, Grade 10 and 11 students, alongside ETA Molly Gleason, wrapped up grammar lessons. Amidst this, Molly and her students wrote heartfelt notes to each other, expressing gratitude and reflecting on their progress over the past eight months. These notes highlighted their appreciation and significant improvement in their English skills and confidence since the beginning of the year.

Additionally, students practiced spoken English by verbally expressing their appreciation to Molly. This exercise sharpened their language abilities and boosted their confidence in using English.

As the last week of teaching concluded, Molly felt a lot of pride in the progress made by her students. While saying goodbye for the break feels bittersweet, Molly is hopeful that her students will continue to develop their English skills long after her grant has ended.

These moments of connection and growth serve as a reminder of the impact of dedicated teaching and motivated learning, setting the stage for even more outstanding achievements in the future. Molly hopes that her students carry with them memories of English and the bonds forged through mutual respect and shared experiences, showing the transformative power of cultural exchange in fostering understanding and connection across diverse backgrounds.

Molly Gleason is currently teaching at SMKN 3 Pekanbaru, Riau.