In an effort to improve language skills, Universitas Brawijaya students who are members of FISIP FIB Berbakti Desa (FBD UB) group 70 created an innovative program that combines interactive learning methods and games.
This program aims to improve the literacy of grade 4-5 students of SDN 01 Petungsewu through fun and effective learning.
The program called “Language Class” involves learning English and Indonesian. The low language skills at SDN 01 Petungsewu in the use of English and Indonesian have motivated UB students to help teachers in the learning process.
“The children at SDN 01 Petungsewu are very lacking in Indonesian and English. In their daily lives, children always use Javanese, even their teachers teach in Javanese,” said Erna, the homeroom teacher for grade 5.
Based on Erna’s words, her party took the initiative to create a language class at SDN 01 Petungsewu. This program provides various educational games such as composing words and sentences, guessing styles, and puzzles that are specially designed for children so that the material presented is easier to understand and active in learning.
In addition, this program also applies a project-based learning method where students are invited to participate in small groups to understand the contents of the text in order to improve literacy. This not only improves literacy but also trains language, communication, and cooperation skills.
“Based on the great interest in learning from the students participating in the learning, students have prepared a periodic follow-up plan in Petungsewu to provide enrichment of language learning to students. Hopefully this good intention can be realized,” said Intan, one of the field supervisors of KKN Group 70 FBD Jantra.
The enthusiasm of the students can also be seen from the activeness of the students in the classroom. For example, 4th grade students competed to answer the questions given. In addition, they were also excited when they found out that they would learn while playing. The students competed with each other to win the game.
In the last series of the Language Class program, FBD UB received many positive affirmations from the students. They stated that our teaching and presence were very impressive and beneficial for them. Some of them even approached and asked for additional classes. Moreover, FBD UB also received feedback from the teachers, especially the homeroom teachers for grades 4 and 5. The teaching method was considered effective, seen from how the students immediately understood the material taught and were able to practice it.
The “Language Class” program at SDN 01 Petungsewu is expected to optimize the quality of language education at the elementary school level and foster student learning motivation with a pleasant learning atmosphere so that students become more excited and enthusiastic to follow the lessons. (*/PR/ Trans. Iir).
