I have just found this article on the APBIPA website which was written several years ago. It is quite timely as both Ibu Sharon & Ibu Trees are currently visiting Pak Agus in Singaraja and working with the students at his school! The lasting effects of such a visit are never ending not only for the adult participants but even more importantly, for their students.

Fourteen Days of Teaching Indonesian in South Australia

Agus Jaya Parhyuna (SMKN 1 Singaraja)
Usman Ismail (SMKN 1 Kota Bima)

The following is a short report on a two-week teaching experience in four schools Adelaide by Pak Agus and Pak Usman. They joined our new program: Indonesia-Australia School Attachment Program – specially designed for SMK, SMA and SMP teachers. This is a joint program between APBIPA Bali and SMKN 3 Denpasar (representing Directorate of Vocational High School), Ministry of Education and culture. The first part of teh report is by Pak Agus and the second is by Pak Usman.

It is very interesting to know not only what they experience in Australia but also how they have felt about Bahasa Indonesia and about being a native speaker of Indonesian in the middle of Australians teachers and students of Bahasa Indonesia.

1. “I would like to tell you about my experiences with the Indonesia-Australia School Attachment Program on the Fleurieu Peninsular, South Australia. Before going overseas I needed to catch up with current trends teaching methodology of Indonesian as a second or foreign language (known as BIPA), the Australian cross cultural issues, 4 different schools where I would teach Indonesian and typical Australian way of life.

It was like a dream visiting that giant continent for the first time. There were many and long steps I went through to be admitted in the program including: applying for my visa and passport, organizing a letter of invitation from the school in Adelaide and a sponsor letter from SMKN 1 Singaraja. I would never have imagined how I could manage all these just by myself considering I am only a high school teacher. Fortunately, there is an association in Bali (APBIPA Bali) that assisted me with all the necessary preparation, e.g., BIPA teaching methodology courses, introduction to Australian culture, child protection programs and many kinds of Indonesian teaching techniques and games.

I was so lucky to be hosted by three kind and friendly families. They live in a beautiful, quiet coastal, rural area in South Australia. Sometimes the sea breezes cooled me while I was fishing during my spare time. Moreover, almost all families have pets and look after them as they look after each other. They feed and bath their pets regularly. Every day I ate something different and I really appreciated their willingness to help me learn about Australian cooking. I enjoyed trying so many new types of fresh fruits and vegetables.

School started at 8.55am and finished at 3:00pm on Monday to Friday. Some students walked to school, others were driven by their parents. Punctuality is valued and mandatory for all staff and students. There is a high commitment among students and teachers in the process of teaching and learning. Staff and students bring their own lunch from home. We ate our lunch together at lunch time in the staff room with a cup of tea or coffee or a glass of water or milk. Staff and students rarely buy food from the school canteen for price and health reasons. Students learn Mathematics, English, Indonesian, Sport, History, Performing Arts, Visual Art, Spelling, Society and Environment, Science, and well as many other subjects. The teachers are so warm and friendly towards each other and towards students. Assessment is done compassionately as is student punishment for those who don’t follow the school rules.

The people on the Fleurieu Peninsular live in harmony with their environment and each other including Aboriginal peoples, animals, and many kinds of native plants. Everything is so different, but the differences shouldn’t create conflicts. Instead, they create a wonderful and harmonious rainbow in the sky. I am so grateful and blessed to have experienced these all.”

2. “Puja dan puji syukur kami panjatkan kehadirat Tuhan yang Maha Esa, karena kami telah dengan sukses kembali ke Negeri ini setelah melaksanakan satu tugas mulia: memperkenalkan bahasa dan budaya Indonesia kepada sejumlah siswa di Adelaide. Saya dan dua teman lain (Pak Agus dari Bali dan Ibu Indra dari Palembang) mendapat kesempatan mengajar di empat sekolah: Port Elliot Primary School, Victor R-7 School, Goolwa Primary School dan Victor Harbor High School.”

Kami tiba pada hari Minggu, 11 Maret 2012 dan dijemput oleh Ibu Trees dan Ibu Katty di bandara Adelaide dengan sangat luar biasa setelah melakukan perjalanan selama 7 jam 30 menit dari Denpasar via Sydney. Selanjutnya, kami dijamu makan siang oleh Pak Tony, keluarga besar dari Ibu Katty, dan dari sini kami dijemput oleh keluarga angkat masing-masing.

Selama satu minggu pertama di host kami masing-masing dilayani dengan baik dan dihormati. Mereka megganggap kami sebagai satu keluarga besar. Kami diperkenalkan pada seluruh keluarga besarnya dijamu makan malam dan diperkenalkan budaya mereka dan terjadi diskusi tentang budaya kita dan mereka yang berhubungan dengan lingkungan tempat tinggal dan lingkungan sekolah. Di rumah begitu hangatnya perbincangan kami sewaktu makan bersama, sebuah perbincangan tentang lingkungan di mana manusianya betul-betul saling menghargai, saling percaya, dan menghormati.

Kami bertiga bergiliran mengunjungi empat sekolah yang berbeda selama dua minggu. Kami bersepakat bahwa para siswa di ke empat sekolah sangat antusias berbahasa Indoensia dengan kami, penutur asli yang khsus datang untuk mereka. Kami senang bisa melihat penerapan prinsip dan norma pendidikan yang berjalan dengan sangat baik. Prinsip ‘reward and punishment’ juga dikelola dengan sangat apik.

Ruang kelas untuk Bahasa Indonesia ditata sedemikian rupa yang menggambarkan peta budaya Indonesia dari Sabang sampai Merauka. Kami pun menangis terharu dan merinding karena mereka begitu menghargai Bahasa dan budaya bangsa kita, Indonesia. Ternyata di ruang ini kami bisa merasakan sisi-sis indah Indonesia yang sebenarnya.

Kesan penting lainnya adalah bahwa mereka menyatakan program ini sangat singkat sehingga mereka berharap agar program seperti ini akan berlanjut.”

Original source of article:http://www.apbipabali.org/home/2-blog/74-teaching-indonesian-in-adelaide.html