During the first three months of ETA Riley Heist’s time in Indonesia, she noticed that students would use Indonesian words when telling her and her co-teachers they were not finished yet, they were confused, or they would like something to be repeated. After noticing this, Riley decided to make a poster that included some key vocabulary.
On the poster, she wrote the Indonesian word/s and the English translation – such as “Saya bingung” and “I’m confused.” Riley brought the poster to class and explained to her students that every time they use one of the English phrases, the class will receive a point. Whichever class had the most points at the end of the semester will get a prize.
After students mastered the phrases on the first poster, she created a second poster with slang that the students were using. Riley has also decided to focus on encouragement. Many of her students have told her that they are afraid to speak in class because they don’t want to be wrong in fear of their classmates laughing. Riley decided to solve this by giving students ample vocabulary to encourage their classmates along with rewards five points (instead of one) for every phrase of encouragement she hears.
Riley Heist is currently teaching at SMAN 10 Samarinda, East Kalimantan
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