JAKARTA – U.S. Embassy Jakarta’s Regional English Language Office (RELO) launched a new phase of its English Language Teacher Training (ELTT) on February 7, 2023, in partnership with Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs (MORA). 600 teachers from 17 cities in Sumatera, Java, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi islands – from MORA-affiliated madrasah and pesantren – will receive in-person and online training for five months. RELO received more than 1,200 applications for the program.
“Building educational connections are a key part of our partnership with Indonesia,” noted U.S. Embassy Spokesperson Michael Quinlan. “That is why we are proud to support a whole host of English language programs, including this one launched today to help Indonesians develop English language skills and expand access to further educational and economic opportunities.”
In opening remarks at a February 7 virtual event, the Director of Madrasah Teachers and Education Personnel of the Directorate General of Islamic Education (MORA), Dr. Muhammad Zain noted the country-wide need for English skills for madrasah teachers and students to be connected to the global community and recognized the ELTT program for enhancing English skills among students. With these skills comes increased opportunity for the students and teachers to actively engage in interfaith dialogs and participate in global exchange programs.
RELO Director Rick Rosenberg thanked MORA and teachers and students in the program, noting, “The strength, success, and scalability of the ELTT program is built upon the energy and dedication of the Indonesian teachers and our long and productive collaboration.”
The Regional English Language Office (RELO) Jakarta helps strengthening the U.S.–Indonesia Strategic Partnership by building capacity through English teaching and learning in Indonesia. RELO Jakarta initiated the ELTT program with implementing partner World Learning, a U.S. non-governmental organization, in 2021. The pilot program, which concluded in 2022, successfully trained 12 senior faculty members in state Islamic universities as “Master Trainers” of English language instruction, 56 junior faculty “Trainers,” and enhanced the skills of 280 madrasah and pesantren teachers. The curriculum and platform used in the ELTT program, National Geographic Learning’s “EL Teach,” provides MORA with meaningful data from coursework and assessments. This data informs the design of future teacher training programs and helps measure coursework and teacher performance, highlighting areas for improvement.
