teaching in Indonesia vs. South Korea - anyone else notice this?
A discussion in Teaching English in Indonesia on the SpeakWise Indonesia teacher forum.
So I just wrapped up a lesson last Tuesday with my 7th graders, and it hit me: teaching here in Indonesia feels so different from what I experienced back in South Korea. I mean, first off, the students are so outgoing! Like, when I asked them to share their favorite hobbies, a girl, Nia, just stood up and started doing a little dance to describe her love for traditional Indonesian music. It was adorable and kinda refreshing.
But to be fair, it made me wonder if I should be incorporating more of that kind of energy into my lessons. Is that just me? In Korea, the vibe was more about following the textbook and being more reserved, you know? Here, there's so much warmth and enthusiasm.
And honestly, I'm still figuring out how to blend the structure I used back home with the spontaneous, lively spirit I see in my classroom now. Anyone else dealing with this? How do you balance the two worlds? I keep thinking about how to maybe take a more flexible approach while still keeping some order. I guess it’s a work in progress.
3 replies
Aisha Rahman — Bilingual ESL Specialist
Yes, this exactly! I’ve noticed the same thing with my students here. Just the other day, a boy named Arman brought in his guitar to class to share a song he had written! It really shows how open and expressive the students can be compared to my experience in South Korea where they tended to be more reserved. I think it speaks volumes about the cultural differences in how students engage with learning. It's refreshing and makes teaching so much more dynamic! Have you found any particular strategies that work well to encourage this kind of participation?
Lisa Chen — Cambridge Examiner
Absolutely, I feel you! My 8th graders here in Yogyakarta can be just as lively. I had a similar moment when one of my students, Rio, jumped up and started mimicking a traditional shadow puppet show to share his passion! It's such a contrast to the more reserved atmosphere I encountered in Seoul. The way students express themselves here feels more spontaneous—it's refreshing! Have you noticed any specific cultural influences that shape their outgoing nature?
Claire Dubois — Teacher Trainer
I completely understand what you mean about the vibrancy of students here in Indonesia! Just last week, during a lesson on cultural heritage, one of my students brought in traditional snacks to share, and it turned into a spontaneous festivity. Their openness and willingness to express themselves is refreshing, isn’t it? It feels like there’s more of a communal atmosphere; every little interaction seems to become an opportunity for engagement. Do you find that the students here are more curious about sharing their culture compared to what you experienced in South Korea?