Making my way through Bandung

Selamat Siang! (Good Day!)

It is only 11:45 in the morning here and I have already had a great day! On the second day of our training we had the opportunity to visit Indonesian schools in Bandung.  All of the ETAs were separated into groups based on what type of school we are placed in.  The three main types are pesantrens (Islamic boarding schools, SMAs/madrasahs (state funded secondary schools), and SMKs (vocational scools).  Since I will be teaching at SMK Muhammadiyah Kudus, a computer science vocational school, I was part of the group that visited SMK 3 in Bandung.  The SMK group consisted of six (Ab, Kelly, Erica, Lolly, Sarah, and myself) who all sat in on an English class in pairs.  Kelly and I were paired together and sat in the back of an 11th grade class and observed as the teacher, Ibu Betty, lead the class in a lesson about describing daily tasks.

The students also prepared presentations where they brought in a traditional Indonesian item and shared how to use them and in some instances how to make them.  I was really impressed with most students' level of English.  If all of my classes are like the one I visited today then it will be smooth sailing!  At the end of the class Ibu (trans: respectful term for older lady similar to Mrs.) Betty asked Kelly to come to the front and answer questions that the students had for us.  The students were really thrilled to hear from us and were so enraptured by our responses.  After we spoke, the students presented Kelly and I with a special gift; an item for each of us from their presentations.  I received a kipas (Indonesian woven fan) and Kelly received a traditional basket used to hold rice. The students were so happy to have native English speakers from the U.S. visit their class that they all wanted to take pictures with us.  Luckily I had my own camera so you can see some of the photos below.

After the pictures the students brought us samples of traditional Sundanese (regional culture) food.  They also presented Kelly with another gift for her birthday (they also sang to her earlier!).  The students were so gracious! One girl came up to me with her pda phone and asked me if I have Facebook.  I answered affirmatively so she handed me her phone and asked me to type in my name so that she could friend me.  It was an offer that I could not refuse.

If there was ever any doubt about whether I made the right decision by coming here to teach, it was all diminished by today's school visit.  I am so excited to begin working at my school and hopefully building great relationships with the students there.

 Picture with our class (Me and Kelly in the middle, Erica and Sarah on the ends)

 

Class singing Happy Birthday to Kelly

"Lagi-lagi!" ("Again-again!")

Wahyu Ramadan presenting us traditional Indonesion food.  Wahyu is concentrating in tourism at the vocational school and wants to be an English speaking tour guide in Indonesia.  Judging by his knack for presentations, I think he will be quite the guide.

Best,

Kal