Since the dawn of globalization, the English language was no longer viewed as a luxury that a handful of people mastered and have access to, instead, it’s transformed into a necessity that every adult, teenager, and child must possess to be able to navigate the ever-connected borders and looming international workforce competition.
Especially with around 1.35 billion people worldwide speaking English, English Language status as an undisputed prerequisite to reach further in life becomes more undeniable than ever. With that in mind, Al-Azhar Kindergarten and Primary School along with Melody Publishing, Taiwan unified in advocating the use of the English Language in both countries’ daily lives, which brought Melody Publishing into Al-Azhar Islamic Kindergarten and Primary School.
The Fateful Visit to the Directorate of Primary and Secondary Education of Al-Azhar Foundation
Originating from a preschool English teacher training institution, Melody provided English teachers for kindergartens and nurseries. Nevertheless, Melody’s focus shifted to developing her own teaching materials either through an online teaching institution or textbooks, due to the insufficient English teaching materials in the Taiwan market. Melody recognizes Al-Azhar Kindergarten and Primary School’s renowned reputation, for providing international and bilingual classes for its students.
On December 4th, 2024, 9 Melody delegations visited the Directorate of Primary and Secondary Education of Al-Azhar Foundation, on the 8th floor of the Al-Azhar Foundation (YPI Al-Azhar) building. Some of the leaders of the delegations are President Lee, President of Melody Publishing, Cindy Lee, General Manager, and Prof. Yinghuei Chen, Ph.D, Chair Professor in English Language & Literature, Asia University Taiwan. They were warmly received by Dra. Ai Kiki Rokibah, Head of Primary & Secondary Education Directorate of Al-Azhar Foundation, Drs. H. Muhammad Yasin, M.M, Head of Curriculum & Program Development of Al-Azhar Foundation, Dr. Mohamad Ghozali Moenawar, Lc., M.M., Head of the Office of International Cooperation and Partnership of University Al-Azhar Indonesia (UAI), and others.
During the course of the visit, both parties deliberated on collaboration prospects such as the use of English textbooks that were published by Melody for kindergarten and primary school students in Al-Azhar Foundation and study visits to Taiwan for the students. Moreover, Melody delegations were warmly astounded by the English Teacher of Al-Azhar Foundation drive in teaching students wasn’t because of the high incentives, but rather because of the belief of blessing or barokah, which is a gift from Allah SWT that brings kindness to human life.
With the discussion coming to a close, respective parties exchanged gifts, which were represented by President Lee and Dra. Ai Kiki.
Tranquil Visit in Kindergarten
After exchanging experiences on teaching English in Indonesia and Taiwan with the Directorate of Primary and Secondary Education, Melody’s delegations were split into two groups, the first went to visit Al-Azhar Islamic Kindergarten 1 (TKIA 1) and was led by Ms. Cindy, whilst the other to Al-Azhar Islamic Primary School 1 (SDI Al-Azhar 1) and led by Prof. Chen & President Lee.
In TKIA 1, Ms. Cindy and her group were welcomed by myriad gleeful smiles, glintful eyes, and the pristine curiosity of a group of kindergarten students who were in the middle of their lunch break. A serene discussion now escorts the lunch break and fosters a cultural exchange of how the students learn English in their daily school life as a student in TKIA 1 and highlights how English has paved the way for humans from different countries can understand each other.
The visit to the kindergarten went delightfully calm, on the contrary, the visit to the Primary School would prove to be otherwise.
Enlightening Exchange of English Education Policy
The second group was hosted by Drs. H. Rusnadi, Headmaster of SDI Al-Azhar 1, who was accompanied by other teachers. Both parties expressed their interest in having one of Melody’s teachers teach in SDI Al-Azhar 1. Then, each party exchange ideas of how English education and policies in Taiwan is incentivized by the government and how it can drive and inspire the Indonesian government to formulate a stimulating English education policy. Afterward, both parties exchanged appreciation and then continued to visit SDI Al-Azhar Indoor Education Park.
The Indoor Education Park was a sustainable education park that was inaugurated on August 21, based on the initiatives of Drs. Rusnadi, the park was made to teach students green and clean initiatives that have become a prevalent issue the world faces. Therefore, students will understand and appreciate the environment and create new innovations that would help the environment. The concrete action taken by the school was deeply appreciated by the Melody delegations. Afterward, the visit continues to the primary school classes.
Exuberant Experience in Primary School Visit
The moment Melody delegations stepped their foot in the class and greeted the students, heads were turned, followed by the excited sound of dozens of running steps and accompanied by enthusiastic chatter that canceled out each other:
Mister-Mister! Look at my work! Is it good? Mister where do you come from? Mister how long have you stayed in Jakarta?”
Dozens of students swarmed the delegations, with hands up in the air, holding a painted canvas the students had creatively made. The delegations were overjoyed with the student’s initiative and confidence and talking in English, which made the delegations converse exuberantly with the students.
At the end of the visit, all the students waved goodbye and asked the delegations to revisit them. The delegations left not only with an insight into how the English Language has become a cultivated norm in Al-Azhar Islamic Schools but also with a beaming smile that the students of Al-Azhar Islamic Schools have the necessary foundation to navigate the tide of opportunities and challenges the continuously connected world could offer. Aamin. (BR)