Kang GURU Travels to Lombok

Ayu’s second visit to Lombok was actually to take a closer look at the Kang Guru Connection Clubs. Many of them have been with Kang Guru for many years. Ayu visited 6 clubs and met members of theEnglish Debate Club at IKIP Mataram. The two days in Lombok was packed and exhausting but fun. Ayu was glad that she could finally meet all the clubs and their members. The main purpose of her visit this time was to gather some information from the club members and also ask clubs’ suggestions about how to improve Kang Guru Club Connection network.

March 29,2009 - IKIP Mataram

Husna Ady from IKIP Mataram has contacted Kang Guru so many times to request for a visit. After some arrangements I put them on my first agenda on Saturday morning. The meeting with English Debate Club started at 9 am at IKIP Mataram. It was my first visit to the university. The meeting started with an opening speech by the Dean, the chair of the committee and myself. There were about 35 people attending the meeting and we had several games and interactive activities. There were so many questions about Kang Guru. I was surprised that lots of students from IKIP were still unfamiliar with Kang Guru. AHusna Ady was little bit disappointed as there was no native speaker from Kang Guru however it was an enjoyable meeting. After 90 minutes I, accompanied by Sultan (leader of Gado-gado English Club), headed to the next destination - SMANDA in Labuapi, Lobar.

SMANDA English Club (KGCC #078)

In SMANDA I met with the Principal and the English teacher, Mr Yusuf, who always sends a regular Club Activcity Reports (CARs) to Kang Guru in Bali. They took us to one of the classrooms with 40 students inside. They were little bit shy to speak and most of them hadnever heard about Kang Guru so I had to introduce them to Kang Guru. We had several language games with them. Although they were little bit nervous at first, when I got to the games the students started to participate a little bit more.

L’GENDA English Club ( KGCC #104)

My last visit for the day was to L’Genda English Club. L’Genda is located in Kopang, Central Lombok which was a never ending journey. I was glad that I had Sultan sitting next to me to keep me company and help me with directions. We had to stop several times to ask people for help. The way to Kopang was beautiful: rice fields, rivers and a big dams. After 90 minute journey we finally found L’Genda English Club located in MA Assholihiyah Al Ma’arif. I began with a discussion about Kang Guru and the Connection Clubs. I put the members into groups and each group had to discuss about the future of Kang Guru, input, suggestions etc. We then had a few games using the March 2008 magazine and interactive discussion. There were some young members and some older ones but they were not afraid to try to speak A few younger members were good at quizzes too! I had a great time at L’Genda especially meeting Supiadi, the leader, and all the members. The visit to L’Genda English Club makes me appreciate them even more. Although the club is located in a remote area and far a way from the post office and other public amenities, they always try to stay in touch with Kang Guru and the most importantly the members know a lot about Kang Guru and Australia.

March 30,2009

GADO-GADO English Club (KGCC #091)

I checked out from the hotel early and went straight to Kopang to visit the Gado-Gado English Club. This time Sultan didn’t go with me because he was waiting for me with his club members. I was pleased to see the enthusiastic members of Gado-Gado English Club. Just like other clubs, at the beginning the members were little bit shy but afterwards they were very enthusiastic. Some of them were really interested to get a scholarship to study abroad in the future especially if in Australia. I think Sultan has succeeded to make the students interested in learning English by introducing Kang Guru to them. My comment about the members - impressive! Well Done Sultan!

SASAK English Club ( KGCC #023)

Just like Sultan, Mulyadi has always been a good friend of Kang Guru. He is a great and active leader of the SASAK English Club and constantly keeping in touch with Kang Guru. Sultan was once again with me. We arrived at Muhammadyah University in Central Lombok. The members of SASAK English Club were mostly university students. About 70 students from theEnglish Department joined the Kang Guru meeting. We had several activities and discussions. I couldn’t stay long because I had to visit ALFA English Club in Mataram. Mulyadi gave me a beautiful piece of cloth originally from Sasak. Thanks Mulyadi!

ALFA English Club (KGCC #013)

I was rushing to go to my last destination, the ALFA English Club, before I went to the airport to return to Bali. The meeting with the Alfa English Club was held at IAIN Mataram. I was late because the trip from Central Lombok to Mataram was longer than I thought. When I arrived there all the members looked exhausted. They said they have been waiting for me for more than one hour. I met with Fadhil, the Kang Guru Champion and Rahmi who work for the LAPIS-ELTIS in Mataram. We had interactive discussion with the club members for half an hour followed by short quizzes. I was sorry that I couldn’t stay long with ALFA English Club because I had to rush to the airport. It was 4.15pm and my flight was at 5 pm!!! I said good bye to everyone and I asked Fadhil and Rahmi to continue the activities with the members . When I got to the airport I was lucky because the flight was postponed for 30 minutes!

A few days after my trip to Lombok, I compiled all the information I got from all the clubs members. Below are the quotes from all club members about Kang Guru. These are suggestions, comments and input they wrote for Kang Guru.

Comments about Kang Guru -

· We love the magazine, first of all because it’s a free English magazine. Where else can we get free educational English magazine.

· Kang Guru really motivates the club members to study more and more of English because they can get the resources for free.

· Kang Guru should be spread to schools all over Indonesia so that more students are encouraged to learn English.

· They can get new method in learning as well as teaching in English.

· We can learn more not only about Indonesia and Australia but also the world and it’s important to avoid misunderstanding.

· This school used to refuse to learn a foreign language until they know about Kang Guru. Now the members are very keen on English and some of them are interested to get a scholarship to Australia.

· Kang Guru crews are friendly, helpful, funny and easy going …

· Club members usually can’t wait for the next edition of the Kang Guru magazine.

· We just hope that Kang Guru will always exist in Indonesia.

Comments about Kang Guru materials -

· With materials from Kang Guru (magazines, LRCS, CDs) club members can improve their speaking, listening, reading as well as writing skills.

· The club activities are much more interesting by using Kang Guru materials than the one we got at school.

· The LRCS is very challenging and there are lots of variations on the exercises. Sometimes the exercises are completely new for us. Because of the variation of activities suggested by Kang Guru in the magazine as well as LRCS, members never miss the meeting and more people want to join the Connection Club.

· The materials are very easy to understand.

Comments about KGCC -

· The clubs always need a media where they can share everything about English, and where they can ask questions about teaching and learning English.

· By joining Kang Guru we gain confidence in using English.

· Most of the Clubs are in a very remote area sometimes unreachable by public transports, but even in the remotest area Knag Guru can still reach them.

· Who else would support English club in away that KG does (by giving free magazines and other materials).

Suggestions to improve the Connection Club -

· Kang Guru Should visit the club more often.

· Kang Guru should encourage people in remote area to form a club to give them more understanding about Australia.

· More workshop for teachers/ Club leaders.

· Club leaders should be given a certificate from Kang Guru.