Currently, the YUM VTC is unable to open face to face classes due to COVID-19 though we are preparing ourselves to open once the government allows us. In the meantime, we do our best to keep our students motivated to learn and for that, we have found a few solutions:

The English course is the only course that can be run online so far. Our tutors have made several videos explaining each lesson based on the modules. Each student already owns the English module and can work with them at home. At the end of each video, our tutor will give the weekly assignment. The students can deliver their work by sending a picture to their tutors.

Another activity that has happened during COVID-19 is a collaboration with Bina Nusantara University (Binus). During two days, our English class students had the opportunity to practice their English in online conversation classes. The students were divided into two groups and each class was led by the two English teachers from Binus. They practiced self-introduction and conversations around daily activities. The students were shy at the beginning, but on the second day, they became more relaxed and enjoyed their session very much. Our online class is using a giant screen, several laptops, and a mobile phone supported by YUM’s Wi-Fi.

Here are what our students have to say:

“I am Renaldy and I am a 2nd-grade student at one of the vocational schools in Cipanas. All of my school lessons are delivered online. Once a week, I have to deliver my homework to my school. I feel very bored with this condition but I understand that this is for everyone’s good. I am so happy that I can be reconnected again with my English tutor, even though it is just by video and WhatsApp group. At the end of the course, I hope that I will be able to speak and write in English well.”