In the first semester, ETA Sophia Lopresti worked with the students of SMAN 11 Padang to write and perform their own poems. When her family made plans to visit SMAN 11, ETA Sophia asked her students to write short speeches with the prompt “what do you believe is most important for visitors to understand about your town/region and Minang culture?” Sophia initially pictured her family’s visit including a tour of the school, spending time with some teachers/students, and having lunch at one of the restaurants in Bungus, famous for ikan gulai (fish curry – her favorite!).

Instead, the teachers and students of SMAN 11 prepared a traditional Minang welcoming ceremony, including speeches from some students in English club, and a bazar where each class showcased their homemade foods, drinks, and crafts.

Students wrote poems and speeches about topics such as local culinary specialties, nearby tourist attractions, entrepreneurship, and their hometown of Bungus. Asking the students to write about what is most important to them allows them to express a clear passion while speaking, which is something that captivates the audience, regardless of language!

The “EXPO 2018 Bazar & Exhibition,” which took place after the welcoming ceremony, was very exciting too! Sophia’s family enjoyed the bazar for hours, talking with the students and trying local foods and drinks. Although they were quite full from all the snacking, ETA Sophia’s family still found room in their stomachs to have ikan gulai for lunch!

Sophia Lopresti is currently teaching at SMAN 11 Padang, West Sumatra