Students from All Over the USA Learn and Practice Bahasa Indonesia Virtually with ICONE During the Pandemic

Students from All Over The USA Learn and Practice Bahasa Indonesia Virtually with ICONE During the Pandemic

Massachusetts, 11/23/2020—As COVID-19 cases continue to soar, ICONE has completely adapted to full live online class sessions for its Bahasa Indonesia Fall 2020 semester. Students from all over the USA and various backgrounds have jumped into the opportunity to learn and practice the Indonesian language from the comfort and safety of their homes. And after a well-structured, engaging, and fun 10-week online class session, our Beginner and Intermediate level students have successfully completed the course and are ready to interact more effectively with their Indonesian family members, friends, and colleagues.

Led by ICONE's native and experienced instructor Tia Wulansari, sessions were designed in such a way so that students can actively engage with their fellow students as well as the instructor utilizing multiple online learning tools in a variety of real-life settings. Unlike those of the previous in-person classes, the students were required to watch a pre-recorded grammar and vocabulary video and did an online exercise before each lesson via Book Widget. During the live session through Zoom, students then reviewed the materials from the video, practiced writing and speaking with the instructor, and used the Kahoot website for interactive quizzes.

In addition to students from different New England states, this semester was also special because of students participating all the way from California, Seattle, Kentucky, and Virginia. Starting with very little knowledge and skills of the language, the Beginner level students ended the semester by being able to compose complex sentences after practicing a lot on vocabularies in the right grammar patterns. Students even set up a study group to help them practice more together outside class sessions - proof of how eager they were in learning Bahasa Indonesia wholeheartedly.

As for this semester's Intermediate level students, since many of them have had experience living or working in Indonesia, most students had pretty strong language proficiency. For the instructor, it felt almost like teaching an Advanced level course. These Intermediate students spent many sessions learning about the prefixes and suffixes of Bahasa Indonesia, and comparing and contrasting the informal and formal usage of the language. It was not always an easy assignment, but it was very interesting and valuable exposure to the language.

Both Beginner and Intermediate level online classes ended with a fun Jeopardy-like game as a way to review what they have learned throughout the semester. Every student was able to answer all the questions, which proved the effectiveness of their virtual learning. We applaud each of these fabulous and enthusiastic students for all their hard work. With the skills they all acquired this semester, we are confident that they can now speak and listen better in Bahasa Indonesia.

In their exit reviews, students highlighted how much they have gained necessary language skills from the well-thought balance in the learning efforts required from their sessions. And to add to that, being able to practice speaking and listening with an instructor who was very encouraging and helpful made the whole learning experience worthwhile. Students also appreciate the different aspects of Indonesian culture embedded in the course through videos, pictures, articles, and class discussions.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the making of ICONE's Fall 2020 Bahasa Indonesia course including the Indonesian Education and Cultural Attaché, Prof. Popy Rufaidah, and her team at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Washington DC, ICONE's President Olla Chas, Treasurer Trisia Bantacut, and ICONE's Educational and Cultural Programs Director Dhanni Setyaning. Bersama, kita bisa!

> Check out our students' testimonials and the main Indonesian Language Course page.

Selamat! Congratulations to the Superb Graduates of ICONE’s Indonesian Language Spring 2020 Class!

Massachusetts, 4/18/2020—COVID-19 pandemic evidently cannot stop our students from learning Indonesian language, Bahasa Indonesia. And today, we are very proud of their accomplishment in completing ICONE's Bahasa Indonesia course for the spring term of 2020.

The seven-week program of ICONE's Bahasa Indonesia course this term was unlike any other previous terms we ever done. The circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have forced everyone to practice social distancing by staying home, and in turn, required us to modify our Bahasa Indonesia course to be done virtually. Started with an in-person class meeting on the first session at Pao Arts Center in Boston, the course was then switched into virtual face-to-face sessions for the remainder of six weeks led by our experienced instructor Tia Wulansari.

The change from in-person class to virtual learning did not stop our adult beginner students from learning Bahasa Indonesia and making tremendous weekly progress. Every week students were given recorded lessons, online materials, quizzes on multiple platforms, and followed by live interactive online teaching sessions on Saturday mornings. The students learned various aspects of Bahasa Indonesia, such as ways of self-introduction, numbers, and vocabulary to talk about daily activities. Their vocabulary grew larger and their understanding of the language grew stronger. Embedded in each lesson, the students also learned about the richness of the Indonesian cultures and its people. Students' hard works were paid off when each of them proved their newly acquired language skills by composing a well-written short descriptive essay in Indonesian and reading it fluently on the final day of the course.

It was such an honor for ICONE to follow each of the student's improvement throughout the weeks. We commend our students for their eagerness to keep learning virtually and our instructor for her hard work in maintaining the quality of each lesson from the comfort and safety of their homes.

Warmest congratulations to Emeric Viani, Laura Brubaker-Wittman, Margaret Geary, Jason Katz-Brown, and Aden Makris for completing the course. We hope that with the language skills they have acquired, they will be able to communicate better in Bahasa Indonesia with their Indonesian family, friends, or colleagues, and can effectively enjoy their future travel or work in Indonesia.

Special thank you to our Ibu Guru Tia for a job well done in teaching Bahasa Indonesia with well-thought preparation, passion, and dedication, especially in such a unique situation we are currently in.

Thank you as well to the Education and Cultural Attaché, Prof. Popy Rufaidah, and her team at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Washington DC for supporting ICONE in rolling out this program. Our appreciation also goes to the management of the Pao Arts Center at Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center for assisting ICONE in providing a classroom for our first in-person class session. Last but not the least, thank you to the President of ICONE Olla Chas and the Treasurer of ICONE Trisia Bantacut for leading the initiative and managing the funding, and Dhanni Setyaning, the Educational and Cultural Programs Director of ICONE, for managing the program.

Keep on practicing Bahasa Indonesia and we hope to see you back at the next ICONE's Indonesian Language Course!

> Check out our students' testimonials and Indonesian Language Course page.

2019 Ramadan Berbagi / Ramadan to Share

Samarinda, 6/12/2019 - With the support of our community here in New England, ICONE has concluded the annual Ramadan Berbagi / Ramadan to Share program for this year. This program is one of ICONE's charity programs to give back to Indonesia that focuses on supporting education among children and youth in need in Indonesia.

This year, expanding our charity outreach outside Java, the donations with the amount of IDR 8,600,000 went to Panti Asuhan Aisyiah Siti Khadijah, an orphanage center located in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Thanks to those who have contributed to the children of this orphanage center while also purchased the scrumptious selections of Indonesian cookies (kue kering) made by our favorite partner and friend "Z's Kitchen Indonesian Baked Goods". Special thank you as well to our local representative, Rahmida Fadhilah, who has delivered the donation to the orphanage despite the heavy flooding that has been paralyzing most parts of the city since last week.

About Panti Asuhan Aisyiah Siti Khadijah

Panti Asuhan Aisyiyah Siti Khadijah is an orphanage center under the management of the Aisyiyah Muhammadiyah charitable department and located at Jl. Merdeka No. 27, Samarinda, East of Kalimantan, Indonesia. For its operations, the orphanage relies on public donations or sadaqah (almsgiving). The orphanage is currently taking care of 30 children (age 1-10 years old) and 24 youths (age 11-17 years old). Various educational programs, as well as vocational activities, are given at this center to better prepare these children and youths to live productively and independently in their future.

About Ramadhan Berbagi / Ramadhan to Share program

This program, while serving its purpose in supporting and empowering our local talents in culinary, is also one of ICONE’s giving back programs to Indonesia, which focuses on providing educational support to children and youth in need. Started in 2016, every Ramadhan, 100% of donation from this program goes to different targeted community and welfare institutions that requires help in Indonesia. Bersama, kita bisa!

Elementary School Children in Stoughton, MA Learn About Komodo Through Book & Storytelling

Stoughton, 05/15/2019 – The Indonesian Community of New England, Inc. (ICONE) introduced Komodo dragon - the largest lizard in the world that only can be found in Komodo Island in Indonesia - to the elementary students in Massachusetts through book and storytelling. Supported by the Education and Cultural Attaché office at Embassy of Republic Indonesia in Washington D.C., this initiative is part of ICONE's Indonesian Storytelling Tour program that aims at introducing and promoting the richness of Indonesian values, culture, and biodiversity to children in New England through stories and children books at local schools and libraries.

Our volunteer, Poppy Mulligan, read aloud a playful book titled “Dear Komodo Dragon” written by Nancy Kelly Allen at the Richard L. Wilkins Elementary School in Stoughton, Massachusetts. The students attentively listened to the amusing story about a little girl named Leslie and her real-life Komodo dragon pen-pal Komo. As pen-pals, the two characters learned about the things they both liked and how different their lives were. Initially wanted to be a dragon hunter when she grew up, Leslie changed her mind after learning that Komodo dragons are endangered species and her pen pal Komo is one of the only few left in the world. In the end, Leslie promised to protect all Komodo dragons and spread the word that they should not be poached or hunted.

From the book, the students learned that Komodo dragons are indigenous to Indonesia and also learned about their life cycle, physical and behavioral traits. At the end of the read-aloud session, the students eagerly asked questions about Komodo dragons, including whether they like to eat or attack humans. For their further reading, two Indonesian storybooks were donated to the class library.

Our special thanks to the school principal, Dr. Lisa Wheelan, and the kindergarten homeroom teacher, Ms. Kelly Fahey, for their support in making this storytelling session happened.

While we are working on the next storytelling events, please check out the following books from your local library and let your friends and families know about them.

- “Dear Komodo Dragon” by Nancy Kelly Allen.
- “Indonesian Children's Favorite Stories” by Joan Suyenaga.
- “Balinese Children's Favorite Stories” by Victor Mason.
- “I is for Indonesia” by Elizabeth Rush.
- “Tari: The Little Balinese Dancer” by Pamela Noensie and Garretta Lamore.
- “Go to Sleep, Gecko!” by Margaret Read MacDonald.

If you'd like to participate or volunteer in our future storytelling events, please email us at contact@icone-inc.org or dhanni.setyaning@icone-inc.org. Thank you.

It’s A Wrap: Congrats to ICONE’s Spring 2019 Bahasa Indonesia Course Graduates!

Cambridge 04/20/2019 – Once again ICONE has successfully conducted its Bahasa Indonesia course this spring with beginner and intermediate graduates. This seven-week program is part of ICONE's ongoing efforts in promoting Indonesian culture in New England through language and has been one of the most sought-after education initiatives that we have.

With the support of our experienced language instructor, Satyawidya Wulansari, students learned and practiced Bahasa in well-structured yet fun meetings. The students practiced their speaking, reading and writing skills through interactive exercises, games, and teamwork designed not only to help them become a better Bahasa Indonesia speaker but also to familiarize them with Indonesian culture and geography.

One of the activities that the students enjoyed the most was the "Monster Kamu Yang Mana" activity where they had to draw a funny-looking monster and described it to others for them to guess. They also enjoyed conversing with their peers as they not only got the chance to practice their vocabulary and grammar but also to hear their classmates speak Bahasa Indonesia.

By the end of the term, the Beginner class students were able to do the simple introduction, describe themselves to others, and ask and answer basic questions using simple sentences. The Intermediate class students were able to expand their skills from previous Beginner class and modify sentences using active transition verbs me-, passive transition verbs di-, and form nouns using -an.

Our sincere gratitude to Prof. Popy Rufaidah, the Education and Cultural Attache, and her team at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Washington DC for supporting ICONE in carrying out this program. Thank you as well to the President of Indonesian Students Association at MIT, Noortitan Hartono, for lending the classroom for the Bahasa Indonesia program, ICONE's President Olla Chas for leading, and ICONE's Director of Education, Arts, and Culture Dhini Purnamasari for her assistance in managing the program.

Indonesian Storytelling Tour Goes to New Hampshire

Indonesian Children Storytelling Tour Goes to New Hampshire

Madbury, 03/31/2019 – ICONE brings Indonesian children stories about Indonesian values of respect and caring to one of the Sunday schools in New Hampshire today. Supported by the Education and Cultural Attaché office at Embassy of Republic Indonesia in Washington D.C., this initiative is part of ICONE's Indonesian Storytelling Tour program that aims at introducing and promoting Indonesian values and culture to children in New England through stories and children books at local schools and libraries.

ICONE's volunteers, Belinda Dinsmore and Juliana Houseman, read aloud the Indonesian folktale "Kancil Steals Cucumber" from the book "Indonesian Children's Favorite Stories" by Joan Suyenaga, in their Sunday school at the Maranatha Indonesia United Church of Christ, Madbury, New Hampshire. The students were amused by Kancil, a mischievous mouse-deer character from the book who steals cucumbers from a farmer regularly. Annoyed when seeing most of his cucumbers gone in the morning, the farmer built himself a scarecrow to scare away the thief. He also applied very sticky jackfruit sap on the scarecrow. Being arrogant, Kancil kicked the scarecrow, got stuck, and was consequently captured. Put in a cage in the farmer's house and was about to get slaughtered, Kancil tricked the farmer's pet, a dog, into taking his place. The folktale ends when the dog was left in the cage thinking of his stupidity. Through this folktale, the students learned about the importance of not being arrogant and not underestimating one's intelligence.

Besides listening to the story, the students also learned about the old way of livings and the different Indonesian traditional clothes from looking at the different illustrations in the book. Our volunteers also shared some general information about Indonesia to the students and their parents, such as how diverse Indonesia is in terms of its people and culture, as well as about its 34 provinces. At the end of the storytelling session, two books were donated by ICONE's representative in New Hampshire Lina Pitono to the Sunday school for further reading and sharing.

While we're working on the next storytelling sessions, please check out the following books from your local library and let your friends and families know about them.

- "Indonesian Children's Favorite Stories" by Joan Suyenaga.
- "Balinese Children's Favorite Stories" by Victor Mason.
- "Dear Komodo Dragon" by Nancy Kelly Allen.
- "I is for Indonesia" by Elizabeth Rush.
- "Tari: The Little Balinese Dancer" by Pamela Noensie and Garretta Lamore.
- "Go to Sleep, Gecko!" by Margaret Read MacDonald.

If you would like to know more about our storytelling program, would like to have the Indonesian storytelling brought to your children’s school or close-by library(s), or would like to volunteer, please email us at contact@icone-inc.org or dhanni.setyaning@icone-inc.org. Thank you.

Also, read:

ICONE Launch Indonesian Storytelling Tour Program in New England

ICONE Launch Indonesian Children Storytelling Tour in New England

Teaching Young Readers The Indonesian Values of Respect, Sharing, Disciplines, Hardwork and Caring to the Environment & Community

Cambridge, 01/28/2019 – As part of our education programs, ICONE – supported by the Education and Cultural Attaché office at Embassy of Republic Indonesia in Washington D.C. – is initiating an Indonesian Storytelling Tour program in the New England region. The Indonesian Storytelling Tour program aims at introducing and promoting Indonesian values and culture to children in New England through Indonesian stories and children books at local schools and libraries.

The storytelling at the Al-Bustan Preschool in Cambridge, today, marks the first ICONE’s Indonesian Storytelling Tour program. ICONE’s volunteer, Dhini Purnamasari, read a Balinese folklore book titled “Go to Sleep Gecko!” to the preschoolers. In that read-aloud session, the children learned a glimpse of Indonesian culture from an enjoyable story of a Gecko that used to not be able to sleep because of the fireflies around him, but then learned that he just needed to put up with some things in life. His request that the fireflies stop working at night sets off a comical chain of problems for everyone in his village and complicates everyone's life. In the end, Gecko’s friend the Elephant teaches Gecko that everyone has a purpose in the village: the fireflies provide light, the buffalo safety, and the rain provides nourishment. Everything is connected. Through this cumulative tale from the Balinese tradition, Gecko learns that his well-being depends on that of the entire village and he finally goes to sleep, a little wiser. This Balinese folktale will teach readers the importance of respect, sharingStorytellingand citizenship.

For further reading about Indonesian culture and nature, three children books were donated for the school's library.

ICONE is currently working on the next storytelling events to reach a broader audience in the New England area. Meanwhile, check out the following children's books in your local libraries and help us spread the words:

- “Go to Sleep, Gecko!” by Margaret Read MacDonald.
- “Indonesian Children's Favorite Stories” by Joan Suyenaga.
- “Balinese Children's Favorite Stories” by Victor Mason.
- “Dear Komodo Dragon” by Nancy Kelly Allen.
- “I is for Indonesia” by Elizabeth Rush.
- “Tari: The Little Balinese Dancer” by Pamela Noensie and Garretta Lamore.

If you'd like to know more about our storytelling program, would like to have the Indonesian storytelling brought to your children’s school or close-by library(s), or would like to volunteer, please email us at contact@icone-inc.org or dhanni.setyaning@icone-inc.org. Thank you.

Ramadan Berbagi / Ramadan to Share 2017

2017 Ramadhan Berbagi (Ramadhan to Share)

Jakarta, 7/9/2017 - For the second time around, ICONE has completed one of its charity initiatives Ramadhan Berbagi (Ramadhan to Share) that focuses on supporting education among children and youth in need in Indonesia today. Charity donations from this year's program went to Yayasan Daarunnas, an orphanage center located at the Bojong Desa village in Tangerang, Indonesia.

Thank you to those who purchased the scrumptious selections of Indonesian cookies (kue kering) made by our local chef, Uum Humaerah, and donated some funds to the children of this orphanage center.

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About Yayasan Daarunnas

Yayasan Daarunnas is an orphanage center located at the Bojong Desa village in Tangerang, Indonesia. Mostly funded by regular donations through zakat/sadaqa (almsgiving), this orphanage is currently taking care of 75 children and youth. The orphanage has been supporting these children in need through foster care, education, and adoption.

For more information on the orphanage center, click here (note: the document is in Bahasa Indonesia).

About Ramadhan Berbagi / Ramadhan to Share program

Ramadhan Berbagi (Ramadhan to Share) 2016

2016 Ramadhan Berbagi (Ramadhan to Share)

Jakarta, 7/30/2016 - ICONE has concluded its first charity initiative, Ramadhan Berbagi (Ramadhan to Share) that focuses on supporting education among children and youth in need in Indonesia today. Charity donations from this year's program went to Millah Khalilulloh, an orphanage center in Tangerang, Indonesia. Thanks to those who purchased the scrumptious selections of Indonesian cookies (kue kering) made by our local chef, Uum Humaerah, that also donated some funds to the children of this orphanage center.

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About Millah Khalilulloh

Millah Khalilulloh is a small orphanage center located at Neroktog Pinang, Tangerang in Indonesia. Self-funded and operated by only a few of volunteers, this orphanage is currently taking care 50 children and youth. The orphanage has been supporting children in need through foster care, education and adoption.

About Ramadhan Berbagi / Ramadhan to Share program

This program, while serving its purpose in supporting and empowering our local talents in culinary, is also one of ICONE’s giving back programs to Indonesia, that focuses on providing education support to children and youth in need. Starting this year, every Ramadhan, 100% of donations from this program will go to different targeted community and welfare institutions that requires help. Bersama, kita bisa!

ICONE Celebrates Its First Indonesian Course Graduates

Boston, 5/8/2016 - The six-week program of ICONE’s Bahasa Indonesia beginners course, the first community-based Indonesian course ever held in Boston, has concluded and proudly brought forward its first ever graduates. Both the children and adult graduates are ready to use their new language skills to better communicate with their immediate Indonesian families and friends, confidently travel to Indonesia and conduct simple conversation with Indonesians in various daily situations.

Led by the experienced Indonesian-native instructors, students practiced basic speaking, listening, reading and writing skills to help them develop clarity and confidence when using Bahasa Indonesia. Storytelling, interactive exercises and understanding news and songs in Bahasa Indonesia were the most favorite sessions among the students.

Thanks to the outstanding instructors and the Indonesian Educational and Cultural Attaché office in Washington DC who have supported this language program all the way through.

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