Pontianak, February 27, 2024 – On Wednesday, February 27, 2024, the English Tadris Study Program, Teacher Training and Tarbiyah Faculty, State Islamic Institute (IAIN) Pontianak received a special visit from Ruth Goode, Director of the Regional English Language Office (RELO) at the US Embassy Jakarta, and Dian Savitri, Cultural Affairs Specialist at the US Embassy Jakarta. The purpose of this visit was to explore collaboration opportunities in the field of English language education between our institution and educational institutions in the United States.
The guests were welcomed by the Vice Dean for Academic and Development Affairs, Eka Hendry AR, as well as the Head of the English Tadris Study Program, Sulaiman, and several English language lecturers. Discussions between the two parties regarding collaboration opportunities were highly productive, covering various initiatives such as the Online Professional English Network (OPEN) Program, OPEN Global Online Courses (GOCs), and OPEN Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) Program.
Furthermore, one aspect that caught Ruth Goode’s attention was the effort to provide access to English language education in remote areas with limited internet access. She highlighted the idea of flash drives containing English language materials as an alternative solution, but emphasized the need for training for teachers in those areas to optimize the use of such materials.
Dian Savitri added the importance of providing easily accessible resources for teachers, especially in areas that may have limited access or resources. “We are committed to providing teachers with access to quality learning materials and courses that can enhance their English teaching skills,” she said. Accessible through the flyer below:
Eka Hendry highlighted the need to enhance the knowledge and skills of lecturers in keeping up with the latest developments in the field of English language education and information technology. “By training lecturers to continuously update their knowledge, we can ensure that they can produce English teachers who are not only competent in teaching but also capable of integrating information technology into learning,” he explained.
Furthermore, Eka Hendry emphasized the importance of having quality English teachers in remote areas, where access to education is often limited. “Through collaboration with RELO, US Embassy Jakarta, and other educational institutions, we hope to create an inclusive and sustainable education model to improve access to English language education across the region,” he added.
Sulaiman highlighted the potential for collaboration in research as an important step in developing understanding and solutions to education challenges in the region. He stated, “Research collaboration between our institution and RELO can be an effective means to identify specific issues in English language teaching and seek innovative solutions.“
Additionally, Sulaiman also emphasized the importance of community service in enhancing access to English language education in West Kalimantan. He added, “Through this collaboration, we hope to make a significant contribution to expanding the reach of English language education, especially in marginalized areas.“
Sulaiman agreed with the rector’s idea to work together with local and international partners to improve education at our institution. “We’re ready to team up with the Regional English Language Office (RELO) to provide useful training for teachers in West Kalimantan,” he stated. He also highlighted the importance of following through on the rector’s suggestion to collaborate with national and international groups to boost the institution’s reputation and become recognized on a global scale.
Militansina, one of the English language lecturers, added that integrating local culture and climate change issues into the English language curriculum could provide significant added value for students. “Collaboration to develop teaching materials that consider local culture and climate change issues will not only help students better connect with the learning content but also provide a deeper understanding of the environmental challenges facing our planet,” she explained.
She stressed that students need to be provided with relevant initial knowledge about climate change and environmental conservation efforts from an early age, so that they can become responsible agents of change in preserving our planet without forgetting local culture values.
Militansina also expressed readiness to collaborate with relevant parties, including RELO and other educational institutions, in developing and implementing an inclusive curriculum that is oriented towards environmental and cultural preservation.
Additionally, Nanik Shobikah also emphasized that collaboration with the Department of Education and the Ministry of Religion can ensure that the training organized can be accessed and utilized optimally by teachers in the Education Department and in madrasahs in the Kalimantan region. “We believe that with strong collaboration, we can create relevant and impactful training programs for education in these areas,” she added.
The offer of collaboration from Nanik Shobikah demonstrates our institution’s commitment to making a real contribution to improving the quality of English language teaching in the Kalimantan region, and emphasizes the importance of interagency collaboration in achieving common goals in the field of Education.
Author: Militansina