ETA Hannah Semmes and SMAN 10 Bengkulu co-teachers adopted a no-phone policy in English class. Despite initial resistance, students reported higher satisfaction with the learning experience in “exit ticket” surveys and found it more fun. Empirically, Hannah and the teachers noted two key advantages: 1) students must retrieve previous lessons from memory, reinforcing long-term learning, and 2) students naturally adopt leadership positions, helping each other across language levels.

In the English Club, students translated and performed English covers of dangdut (traditional/Indonesian Electronic Dance Music/EDM party songs). It turns out the lyrics are “spicier” than Hannah realized. The school also celebrated Bulan Bahasa (Language Month) with an English storytelling and speech competition, where Hannah served as a judge. She was awestruck by riveting renditions of classic Indonesian tales like “The Crying Stone.” Though each story originated in different geographical and cultural contexts across the archipelago, most shared one lesson: respect your parents—or die.

Hannah had a blast meeting with kindergarteners and first graders at HighScope during International Culture Week. She was invited by Bengkulu-based Fulbright alumna Ibu Ruri to read “Garbancito,” a Spanish children’s book, and to share Native American culture.

To cap it off, Hannah was invited to duet “I Will Always Love You” on stage at the beautiful Sunda wedding of a fellow English teacher. The crowd reported that co-teacher Ibu Henny has the voice of an angel. The consensus was that Hannah could have done better—everyone’s a critic!

Hannah Semmes is currently teaching at SMAN 10 Bengkulu, Bengkulu.