Kang Guru working with teachers in Papua and Sulawesi

Kevin Dalton from Kang Guru Radio English recently ran the first KGRE Teacher Workshops in Papua. The first workshop was held at SMKN I in Jayapura, one of the schools that focuses on preparing students for work in the tourism industry. This school was one of the schools involved in the AusAID-funded Tourism and Training Project, which ended early this year. The principal, Laura Holle, who studied in Australia in the early ‘90s, spoke highly of the positive outcomes from the AusAID project and their ongoing benefit to the school. The school also runs a mini hotel – the Yotefa View Hotel – which is opposite the school building. It has very reasonable rates, good food and high occupancy rates!

English is an important part of the students’ training program so there was considerable interest in the teacher workshop. Over 80 teachers participated in the day’s session and were keen to try out the KGRE Teacher package in their classes. Kevin also ran a discussion session with 250(!) junior and senior high school students at SMKN 1 – which was a very lively session with many challenging questions for him to answer.

Kevin then visited SMA 5, on the hills overlooking Jayapura. Over 50 keen English language students were there to meet him and to practice their English. They are eager to start a language club and join the network of Kang Guru Connection clubs.

In Jayapura Kevin also visited the AusAID-funded HIV/AIDS project. Interviews with some of the people on the project will be featured in the Kang Guru radio program. He also visited the UNICEF office in nearby Abepura. The December KGRE magazine will feature an article on the work of UNICEF and the district health authorities on infant immunization and nutrition in Papua.

From Jayapura Kevin went to Sorong where he began discussions with teachers about forming a teacher association in Sorong to assist with professional development and the sharing of expertise and resources. Kevin also visited the RRI radio station in Sorong, which was planning to celebrate its 60th anniversary. Kevin hosted a live on-air program with over 60 people in the studio participating in the interactive format.

The Kang Guru team was also in Sulawesi recently conducting work- shops for teachers as well as meeting many members of the active Kang Guru Connection clubs in Makassar. Kevin, Ogi and Geoff went on to Gowa and Rachel went to Wajo to conduct teacher workshops.

Indonesia Australia Language Foundation

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