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Students engaged in interactive/collaborative classroom activities.

A visit to the Cultural Studies Faculty (Fakultas Ilmu Budaya) on March 13. Thanks for reaching out to have me come to talk to you. In this faculty they teach English literature, Indonesian literature, and ethnomusicology. We talked about active and engaged classrooms and about US Academic culture.

My last official meeting with undergraduate students. Fourth semester students came to learn and share about language teaching strategies on March 12. I have since run into some of the undergraduates when they have been here for classes. All students here are very kind and eager to chat, even though they maybe a bit shy at first.

More undergraduate students on March 11. This time for a workshop on language assessment. These 6th semester students have one more year of study left, including their mini-thesis. I continue to be impressed with the level of engagement and the tough questions students here ask (both undergraduate and graduate). Pictured at the top are the Three Graces: Yuni, Wati, and Desy, all lecturers in the English program at Pahlawan (and Gunung Kelua). They were instrumental in bringing the undergraduates to campus for their workshops. Great colleagues and new friends!!

On Saturday morning there's a big turnout at SMK 4 for the MGMP Bahasa Ingriss SMK (Musyawarah Guru Mata Pelajaran--a teachers' association) meeting. We talked about how to get students active and encourage them to use English in the high school classroom. SMK is vocational high school, and many students may wind up in working in fields where spoken English is required. These teachers are eager to help them gain the proficiency they need. Thanks to the organizers, especially Pak Anam, and all the attendees.

General lecture open to all college faculty on March 8. Here I am with some of them. Note the "freestylin'!" in the second photo :-)

Kampus Pahlawan, March 6. I traveled to the undergraduate campus to talk to lecturer colleagues about teaching pronunciation. Exciting to hear about their strategies and adaptations for learners with varying proficiency and motivation levels.

On March 1, a number of my colleagues in the English program came to a workshop on research writing. Everybody has great ideas, and I look forward to continuing to work together after I return home.

February 27: A wonderful group of second semester English program undergraduates came to campus for a workshop on teaching pronunciation. Thanks to all of them for their eager participation and to their lecturers for encouraging them to come and to participate. Keep up the good work mahasiswa!

It's not ALL about the food. The next few posts will be from my lecturing opportunities on campus and in the community. But before we go there: Akreditasi! Here are some pictures as the expert staff get the final version of the program's accreditation report ready for printing. I've managed to get mentioned in it. As a "seasoned veteran" of recent NIU accreditation efforts, I shared a sigh of relief when this document got submitted and printed...but there will still be tweaks before it is sent to Jakarta, I imagine.

Catching up: I had a day free and took the opportunity to go to visit the Grade 10 and Grade 11 English classes of SMAN 10, Kampus B. What fun and exciting classes and energetic students! Thank you to the students who welcomed me and to Bu Sumirah who invited me.

Catching up: Still the last weekend in February, and I am invited to a wedding, this time Bugis style, in Samarinda Seberang as a guest of our office manager and all-round office hero, Andi and her family. On the way home, we took the "alternate route" which allowed us to stop at the first mosque in Samarinda...built completely out of wood with no nails.

Catching up: The last weekend in February brought many adventures. A wedding celebration, Flores style with some of the S2 students, followed by a trip to Samarinda Seberang to visit the historical sarung weaving shop as well as to the Islamic Center and the Buddhist Center. Full Saturday!

Catching up: This Friday (22 February) I made a point of heading to the Dean's exercise time, a little more prepared than last week. SO HOT! But fun to participate, and then to get breakfast nasi kuning with Andi and Putri!