Kang GURU in Indonesia

Originally Kang Guru had two aims:

1. To provide information about Australia to an Indonesian audience.
2. To serve as an English language learning resource across Indonesia.

This was achieved through a weekly English language radio program at a pre-intermediate level of English, and a bi-annual magazine. The aims of the project have been reviewed and modified over the years to reflect the changing educational, social and political context. In 2000 the above aims were expanded to include the following:

3. To contribute to positive Australia-Indonesia relations through improving cross-cultural understanding.
4. To promote the work of AusAID in Indonesia and provide a focus on the development issues it addresses, specifically through highlighting issues that arise from the Australian aid program in Indonesia.

From 2000 onwards Kang Guru began to respond to requests from teachers who were interested in using Kang Guru as a resource in the classroom.

This led to an additional aim:

5. To provide high quality English language resources, using Kang Guru source material, to teachers and learners of English in Indonesia.

Kang Guru currently achieves these five aims through the following activities:

1. Kang  GURU radio program — a weekly pre-recorded 20-minute radio program broadcast by approximately 130 public and private stations nationwide.
2. Kang  GURU magazine — currently 35,000 magazines produced and distributed four times a year (March, June, September and December).
3. Kang  GURU website — receives approximately 400,000 hits per month (2008) and an average of 200,000 hits per month on the FORUM Page.
4. Kang  GURU Teacher Development Activities and Resources
5. Kang  GURU Connection Language Club Network (finishing in December 2008)

Kang GURU — The Facts

• Over 1000 radio programs produced since 1989.
• Kang  GURU is broadcast by 159 RRI and selected private radio stations around Indonesia on AM, FM and SW frequencies.
• 200 broadcasts per week around Indonesia.
• 17,000 registered magazine readers receive FREE copies of the Kang Guru magazine every March, June, September and December.
• 18,000 copies of the magazine are distributed through 900 plus targeted universities,  high schools and educational institutions in cities all across Indonesia.
• Kang  GURU magazines are also distributed to Kang Guru Connection Language Clubs and to schools through the Kang Guru Listening and Reading Class Sets and the Kang Guru Teacher Packages.
• 1,000,000+ magazines distributed to date.
• Receives up to 1000 letters per month from Indonesia but also letters, hundreds of SMS, and e-mails from other parts of SE Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, Africa and the USA.
• Receives approximately 500 e-mails each month directly to KGI and via the website.
• The Kang  GURU website averages 400,000 hits per month as of September 2008. To add to that, the Forum Page consistently attracts between 150,000 - 160,000 hits per month.

Some background information on Kang Guru 2006 - 7

From left: Tjok, Alwi, Ogi and Andriani at IALF Bali on Aug. 11th, 2006

KGRE preparing for the future… The Curriculum Corporation of Australia, based in Melbourne, was contracted by KGRE to carry out a Multi-Media Review of Kang Guru Radio English. Andriani, Program Manager at the Curriculum Corporation, looked at the KGRE magazine, radio and internet services in 2006.

From left: Andriani, Tjok, Ogi and Denise Finney from IALF Bali at Kaizan Restaurant in Bali, Aug. 10th, 2006

AusAID Indonesia was represented by Philippa Power, Second Counselor at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta. Brent Hall, Australia's Consul to Bali was also present as was Liz O'Neill from the Public Affairs at the embassy in Jakarta. IALF's CEO, Geoff Crewes was present to add support from IALF Indonesia. Julie Klugman from AusAID's ACCESS project and Nina Shatifan from the AusAID's WSLIC 2 project were there to support KGRE as it entered the next phase of KGRE in Indonesia. Three Bali-based Kang Guru Connection Clubs (KGCCs)— Six Sense, Fellowship and Formula Clubs assisted with the Launch. The Six Sense Club worked for many days planning and developing the KGRE display while the Fellowship and Formula Clubs presented a live version of the song ‘I Am Australian’ and a poem about the importance of teachers, respectively. AusAID Press Release

Brent Hall, from the Australian Consulate in Bali, together with Liz from Public Affairs, Australian Embassy in Jakarta enjoying the IALF Open Day with Peter Rowe.

After the launching ceremony, KGRE opened a special display room with hundreds of photos and displays showing the work of KGRE. Ogi, Tjok, Alwi and Rachel explained to visitors all about KGRE from 11.00am until almost 4.00pm. Rachel conducted several very popular quizzes during the day and each time a quiz was held the room was full, full, full! Thanks to all the KGRE-ites who attended the activities and to those who sent emails of congratulations through the internet.

“A big thank you to all KGRE staff. Our club, MESS, KGCC #050, was one of the three winning clubs and I got the first big chance representing our club members coming to Bali helping and supporting the re-launch of KGRE new office in Jalan Sesetan. The beauty of Bali captivated me and I dared to say, ‘Bali is truly Indonesia’ I arrived at the Ngurah Rai Airport on Thursday evening at 20. 30, Cok, one of the KGRE staff picked me up and dropped me off the hotel by taxi and I thanked her to wait for me patiently. At the hotel, I met other three club members, Pak Paulus from Flores and Hakim with his student from Jombang. I was excited meeting those three guys since it was nearly impossible without the assistance of KGRE, most importantly, Ogi and others who had arranged everything. The next morning, we went to KGRE new office by a taxi. There, we discussed anything for Saturday's event with Pak Kevin and Ogi. We saw Alwi, Darmika, and Cok were also busy doing some decorations together with other club members from Bali who helped them as well. Then, On Saturday, I got the first turn coming forward delivering my speech after the Deputy of Australian Ambassador, Mr. Peter Rowe. I was actually a bit nervous since the meeting attended by many VIPs. But I dared myself and said, ‘It's the show time!’ There was no more stage-fright when I saw most of the attendees' faces were so friendly and curious waiting for my speech. I did it well and once again, I thanked KGRE and AusAid who have been our good friends helping us improve our English.” Wibowo – MESS, KGCC #050