Reported by Witri Loviyanti, VDMS Grantee from Lambung Mangkurat University (UNLAM), Banjarmasin
In this era, English becomes the most wanted skill among job seekers. In Lambung Mangkurat University, one of requirements to get the ijazah is the TOEFL certificate; either ITP or prediction. Based on this situation, RR Banjarmasin initiated to start an informal TOEFL course among the grantees in Banjarmasin and Banjarbaru, Kalimantan Selatan. Until now, there had been three sessions of this activity. We know that it is hard to find time to meet because everyone has his/her own business with college. The first and second sessions were held in Banjarbaru on 27th November and 18th December 2016. The third session was held in Banjarmasin on 14th January 2017. This activity is monthly.
TOEFL test items
In this activity, an alumna, Kak Rizky, provided the TOEFL course materials and also brought notebook and speaker. Anyone ever tried to do TOEFL learning outdoor? It is not going to be easy, but surely her speaker sounds very good and very smooth. Even, it is smoother than the big one in our language laboratory.
They were doing the TOEFL tests
This activity is so beneficial. One of grantees named Misna had ever taken TOEFL once and she said that it was difficult although she had followed the preparation class. This TOEFL Training and Sharing helped her so much because she could know tips and trick when taking TOEFL. Other grantees said that it was their first time to do TOEFL. Hasyim, 2016 VDMS grantee of RR Banjarmasin, said that it was his very first time to do TOEFL. He was surprised and speechless that it is so difficult. In TOEFL, as we know, the native speaker speaks in a normal speed. In the other hand, Hasyim felt so lucky that he could be engaged in this activity. He knows that TOEFL preparation course is not cheap. Through this activity, RR Banjarmasin wanted to make their grantees familiar with TOEFL. One day if the grantees take the test, they are not going to be nervous anymore.
All Participants
Why RR Banjarmasin is confident enough to run such activity that requires a specific skill? RR Banjarmasin fortunately has more than 7 active grantees and alumni of VDMS Scholarship who were majored in English Department. Especially, alumni VDMS Scholarship RR Banjarmasin also make their effort for the active grantees. They initiated activities for RR Banjarmasin and gave time to come when there is a meet up.
Based on VDMS motto – Learn, Share, and Encourage, besides maintaining activity or program to society, RR Banjarmasin also maintains activity to their grantees and alumni. Hopefully, RR Banjarmasin will be able to make a sustainable contribution for society and develop the grantees to be better people.
A2A E – Newsletter Vol. 59| I | 2017