Kang GURU Travels to Batang in Java — September, 2007

Sue visited Batang in Java September to present KGRE Teacher Workshops. Sue also visted several schools and their English language students.

Usually at KGRE we fly to workshops so it made a nice change to arrive in Batang, near Pekalongan by car. The hotel was easy to find as it is situated on the main road which runs through Batang. It is a small town which, despite having heavy traffic running through it 24 hours a day, seemed clean and tidy.Although it is close to the sea you cannot see the sea from the town. The hotel was comfortable and I had a chance to relax and wander up and down the main street and around the Alun Alun before meeting some members of the committee for dinner. Pak Arziska, and two other members of the committee took me to a wonderful beach side fish restaurant and we discussed lots of different topics including KGRE and Indonesian sinetron. Pak Agus had visited the restaurant earlier in the day because at the last minute they had suddenly thought – ‘what if she doesn’t eat fish!’ They needn’t have worried as I loved the local fish which was very tasty. After dinner we visited the hall where the workshop was to be held to check everything was ready, and then we returned to the hotel which was close by. They agreed to pick me up about 7:45 the next morning for the workshop.

Next morning two members of the committee arrived on time and we loaded the car with the workshop materials and headed off to the scout hut – (Gedung Pramuka) close to the hotel. Some teachers had arrived early and were eager to get started. I chatted to some of them as I set out the workshop materials and they seemed very keen to know more about teaching English. Almost everyone arrived early, despite the long distances some teachers had travelled and the workshop began on time. We started by watching Umu and Cynthia (who attend SMKN 1 Batang) dance the Gambyong dance. Mrs Dewi then introduced Pak Mugiharjo, a representative from from Diknas, who gave a short speech. Dewi also presented a short report from the committee. Then after a tea break the KGRE workshop began.

We had a great time – there were some teachers who are already familiar with KGRE materials and there were no shortages of volunteers for the games. The teachers were attentive and I’m sure they went home with lots of new ideas for teaching listening in their classes in the future.
An unusual thing happened at lunch time as Pak Mugiharjo arrived to take me out for lunch. This is unusual because at KGRE workshops we usually eat with the teachers, and it gives us time to chat and answer questions informally. But he insisted and so off we went to a local warung – Warung Solo with Pak Arzisca. The food was simple and home cooked and very delicious. It made a nice change from a lunch box but when I returned there were lots of teachers waiting to talk to me about ordering packages and with questions about this and that. I answered as many questions as I could then began the second half of the workshop. The time seemed to fly by and I finished the workshop with some KGRE quizzes. It was time for the teachers to go home and time for me to meet with students, some of which had already arrived.

A large number of students attended the meeting and they weren’t shy about asking questions. I met Wika who had been one of the runners up to the writing competition. You can read part of her letter on the back cover of the June 2007 KGRE magazine. Finally the students divided into teams and we had a very lively KGRE quiz to finish off the meeting. It was a close game. The winners won by just half a point!

The next day Pak Iman and I left to visit two schools in the Kaceng area – about 30 minutes from Batang. First I went to YAYASAN Madrasah Islamiah and we went upstairs where lots of students were sitting waiting patiently. I heard a speech by Nurul, a prizewinner at a local English speaking contest and was impressed by the master of ceremonies who had lovely clear spoken English. The students were shy at first but were soon asking questions in return for a KGRE souvenir. All to soon it was time to move onto the next school SMK Muhammadiyah Kajen where most of the students study engineering. I met many of the teachers including the headmaster – Dri Sugiarso, the chemistry teacher and the PE teacher. They offered me tea and a variety of local cakes but I only got time to try one apam, which was delicious. Then we went to a very long classroom and met with about 80 students. Most of these students were boys and once again it took the offer of KGRE souvenirs to get them talking! But then they were hard to stop!

It was a great meeting and their English really was very good. I hope they continue to listen to KGRE, which is played from a station at their school – Radio REES FM. I called in there to see the room where the program is played and presented by Pak Iman every Friday.

The areas around Batang and Kajen are interesting and apart from producing the famous batik, there are also tea plantations in the hills and fields of sweet smelling jasmine – for the tea maybe! Thanks to everyone who organized a great workshop and visits to the schools. I really enjoyed myself and I hope to meet you all again one day.