WRITING REDEFINED THROUGH GLOBAL LEARNING

12 December 2024 – The ULE1310 Fundamentals of English Language course recently hosted a successful Global Classroom session, conducted via Microsoft Teams. This specially designed session targeted students enrolled in Semester 1, Session 2024/2025. A total of 70 participants attended the interactive two-hour event, held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The session featured Dr. Ikmi Nur Oktavianti, M.A., a linguistics lecturer from the English Education Department at Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Dr. Ikmi delivered an insightful presentation on strategies for expanding ideas in opinion essays. Participants gained valuable insights into opinion essay structures and effective techniques for idea development. The session was dynamic and engaging, with Dr. Ikmi skillfully involving attendees in interactive activities using Mentimeter, Google Docs, and Google Forms.

Nurul Nadia Muhammad, the course coordinator, emphasized the importance of this Global Classroom initiative, noting that it addressed a key challenge faced by many students which is expressing ideas effectively in writing. “Students often have good ideas, but their inability to articulate them clearly in writing can hinder their success. This session was an effort by the teaching team to provide practical know-how from an expert,” she explained.
The event was not limited to ULE1310 students. Diploma students enrolled in the ULE1212 Essential English course also participated, as the session's content aligned with their syllabus. Nur Syafawati Sabuan, an instructor for both ULE1310 and ULE1212, encouraged her Diploma students to join, ensuring they too could benefit from the shared strategies.

One participant, Aqil Azmi, expressed his satisfaction with the session. “I’m glad I decided to join. The practical examples and clear explanations were incredibly helpful, and the interactive activities reinforced the concepts effectively,” he said.

This Global Classroom session was widely regarded as a valuable learning experience. Participants are expected to apply the techniques they learned to produce improved essays. Moving forward, the teaching team hopes to organize more sessions on other engaging topics to continue enriching students’ learning experiences.

Prepared by: Nurul Nadia Muhammad