English and The Gorgeous Sumba

English Class of Stube-HEMAT Sumba

"Let's talk using English!" Such challenge is often avoided by most students, because they don’t have enough vocabulary to speak in English. However, for some, it is assumed as a challenge that must be faced. That’s right, speaking is a combination of knowledge, skills and art, so one’s ability to speak will be growing better when it is done continuously. Similarly in Sumba, youth and students should speak English among themselves to help them to be familiar with the language and develop communication among people in the midst of language diversity in the world, variety of science and knowledge and to compete in global market.

  

Stube-HEMAT Sumba has English class program by introducing local content of natural beauty of Sumba. It is expected that the learners will be familiar with the topic. "Let's Talk: The Gorgeous Sumba" is a self-learning module which is independently compiled by Stube-HEMAT. This book contains brief readings and dialogues that introduce a variety of natural potencies, cultural uniqueness and figures giving a positive contribution to Sumba. The beauty of beaches and waterfalls represent the unique natural potencies of Sumba. Traditional houses in the traditional village and the splendid grave stones become magnet of Sumba culture, and it is completed with the works of Yacob Tanda and Gideon Mbiliyora at the end of this book. In fact, most of participants even know some new places in Sumba written in the book for the first time after reading the module! They feel so curious and decide to visit and prove the beauty and uniqueness of those places.

"I think this book is good, simple but interesting, because we can learn English in a different way, we are led not only to read and interpret it, but we also learn to know our surroundings, especially waterfalls that we had not known yet. The test that records us using video is very exciting", said Ana Ratundima. Elsi commented, "I think this English class is good and very useful for youth here, because we learn English with Sumba local context. It is interesting to learn it”.

According to Salmon Pandarangga, S.Si., M.Si, the instructor, the participants showed their enthusiasm toward the material given, in fact, their capabilities must be improved, and they were encouraged to make learning groups. It will help them to promote Sumba to the world. Trustha Rembaka, S.Th, the coordinator of Stube-HEMAT Yogyakarta, also agreed with his opinion. Trustha also became an instructor for several meetings while he was in Sumba. "The participants seemed enthusiastic in learning English although several times when they found new words, they had to look up the dictionary to find the meanings. As a variation, several meetings were held outdoor, under the sandalwood trees to avoid heat on tin house roof in Waingapu. At the end of the program, the participants had a reading-text test, Trustha explained.

Let’s promote Sumba in English. (TRU)