The English-language Local WORDS Competition at SMAN 5 will be held in January 2026 and requires participants to craft original stories. In preparation for the story-writing component, ETA Victoria Djou hosted a workshop on December 11 to encourage reflection on the competition’s theme of community and to introduce the basics of storytelling.

During the first part of the workshop, students placed Post-it notes on the front table, identifying the communities to which they belong. Next, the students shared their experiences within those communities with their peers. This exercise encouraged students to reflect on what the term community means and to consider how they personally engage with their own communities.

For the remainder of the session, students explored storytelling fundamentals through the film “K-Pop Demon Hunters.” Through guided viewing and discussion, they examined how a familiar and beloved film uses classic story structure – from exposition to resolution – to develop compelling characters, create meaningful conflict, and build an engaging narrative. Through this activity, Victoria aimed to facilitate communication and critical thinking in English using a visual medium that her students enjoy.

Victoria Djou is currently teaching at SMAN 5 Bandar Lampung, Lampung.