A Warm Welcome and Introduction to Pedagogical Contents at SMP Negeri 4 Pekalongan
A Warm Welcome to my Teaching Journey at SMP Negeri 4 Pekalongan
During my exchange program in Indonesia, my host university, Universitas Pekalongan, assigned me to teach Junior High School students at SMP Negeri 4 Pekalongan. On February 5, 2025, I was introduced to the school alongside my mentor.
It was truly an honor to be welcomed into this esteemed institution. I also had the privilege of meeting the key officials of SMP Negeri 4 Pekalongan, including the headmaster, teachers, and staffs. Their warm smiles and kind gestures made me feel at home. After the introductions, I shared a meal with them, which further deepened the sense of hospitality I received.
Following this, I was introduced to my cooperating teacher, Mr. Nur Yahya, S. Pd., an English teacher at SMP Negeri 4 Pekalongan. Since I am majoring in English education, I was introduced to have him as my cooperating teacher at SMP Negeri 4 Pekalongan. He familiarized me with his teaching schedule, which included classes for both Grade 8 and Grade 9 students.
I was also introduced to my weekly schedule throughout the program. The first week was for observation, allowing me to understand the teaching methods and classroom environment. The second week was for practice teaching, where I would gradually take on teaching responsibilities under supervision. Finally, in the third week, I would be fully teaching the classes, applying everything I had learned from my observations and practice sessions.
I also learned more about the school’s daily routine. SMP Negeri 4 Pekalongan holds classes from Monday to Saturday, starting at 7:15 AM and ending at 1:30 PM. Interestingly, I discovered that if there are certain events, such as heavy rain, the class hours are adjusted to a shorter schedule.
So these are my observations of the pedagogical contents at SMP Negeri 4 Pekalongan:
Before teaching Grade 8 and Grade 9 classes, I had the opportunity to observe my cooperating teacher, Mr. Nur Yahya, S. Pd. He is truly a great teacher, as his students always focus their attention on him during lessons, and they seem to understand the material well. His way of teaching is engaging, and he ensures that students understand the lesson before moving on to the next topic.
Mr. Nur Yahya introduced me to the modules and books he used as references for teaching. These modules follow the national standards for different grade levels, including Grade 8 and Grade 9. His main teaching method involves using a whiteboard and marker to help students visualize the lesson. By writing key points on the board, he effectively explains the topic while also allowing students to copy the notes in their notebooks.
During class, he uses both English and Indonesian when teaching. Some students struggle with understanding or speaking English, so this strategy helps them gradually become familiar with the language while still understanding the lesson. This approach ensures that no student is left behind while also encouraging them to develop their English skills.
When it comes to classroom activities, he encourages student participation by allowing them to recite, share their ideas, and engage in group work. He also gives written activities where students write in their activity notebooks. Through my observations, I noticed that students from different sections, such as sections A to F, have varying levels of English proficiency. Some students struggle more with understanding and speaking English, so when assigning written activities, my cooperating teacher first allows them to write in Indonesian language. He then instructs them to translate their work into English language as homework, which they submit the next day. This strategy helps students gradually improve their skills in English and build their vocabulary.
One thing that truly inspired me about my cooperating teacher is his dedication to improving students’ reading comprehension and English proficiency. He always emphasized that his goal is not just to teach theories but to help students apply what they learn in real-life situations. His passion for teaching and his commitment to his students’ learning is something I deeply admire and hope to emulate in my own teaching career.