Let's Have Fun With Our Friendly Native Speakers

 

In two days we went to 8 different schools in the small city of Cileungsi, near Bogor. The original request was for us to visit one English class for one period to allow the students to have a chance to converse with native English speakers. Word spread, and it soon turned into two days of traveling to 8 different schools and meeting with kids ranging from elementary to high school age. It was a hoot, as you will see in the following pictures.

On the first day Sister Lambson wasn't feeling well so I was on my own. The first school was an elementary school. The students sat outside on tarps because they don't have a hall large enough to hold them. You will see a lot of hijabs in these pictures because most of the students are Moslem and some of the schools we visited are Moslem schools. All schools wear uniforms here. The little girl up at the front is conversing with me in English. Soooooo cute. She drew a picture for us too which I will show later. The man in the scout uniform is an English teacher. His name is Tajul, and he arranged all of our visits. Thursday is scout day so many of the teachers and middle school students wore scout uniforms to school. This was a big day for both the students and the staff. 

This is a group of girls that performed a local dance for us. The staff and students were very excited for this day when they would be able to host native English speakers. Some of the English teachers told me that, even though they teach English, this was the first time they had actually spoken to a native speaker.

One of the children made this beautiful picture of Indonesian culture for us. Each school had prepared for weeks in advance. They made banners, prepared musical numbers and dances and practiced introducing themselves in English so that they would be ready when we came. They were super polite and treated us with great respect. The children have a custom of kissing their instructor's hand or holding your hand to their forehead. At times I was greeted by more than 100 students in this way. They conveyed a feeling of deep respect. They were very respectful in class and even laughed at my dumb jokes. 

This little boy was so brave. After the program he came to the office to ask me to sign his Indonesian flag.

This is a group picture at the second school. The girls on the right performed a special local dance, that's why they are in costume. This is a combined middle and high school but the kids also sat outside on the tarp as I spoke. 

At every school the staff wanted a picture with us. I think it was fun for them to stand next to a giant American old guy. After each event we literally took hundreds of pictures and selfies with the staff and students. They were surprised when I told them my age and always told me I looked much younger. The kids also told Cheri she is very beautiful. Indonesian kids are such charmers.

These pictures are from the next two schools I visited, both were high schools. One of the big challenges was getting students to stand up and have a simple conversation. Most of them did fine but they are pretty shy about using English with all their friends around them.

The 5th school we visited. An Islamic boarding school. 

The 6th school was a large high school with nearly 1000 students. We met with the English club. These two beautiful students greeted us with various local snacks and explained each one as we tasted them. They did it all in near perfect English.

These girls performed "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis. It was beautiful.

This group performed an English song I had not heard before about Mother. I had never heard the song before but it was sweet.

They gave me a Sundanese hat and Cheri a scarf from local textile.

 

 

"C" for English Club

The 7th School we visited.

A cultural and patriotic performance in the school yard

This is the English club of the 8th school we visited.