ABOUT DBE IN SUBANG, WEST JAVA

Written by: Dina Nurnafiah, S.Pd.

DBE- Teacher Training was held by USAID (United State Agency International Development). DBE (Decentralized Basic Education) is a program of Indonesian government to improve the quality of basic education in Indonesia through three integrated components (DBE 1, DBE 2, and DBE 3). DBE 1: More effective decentralize education management and governance. DBE 2: improve quality of teacher and learning. DBE 3: increased relevance of Junior Secondary and non-formal education to life skills (Decentralized Basic Education - www.dbe-usaid.org).

Fortunately, I participated on that program in Subang, West Java. I really enjoyed when the tutors (Mr. Topik and Mrs. Willyana R) gave the materials in interesting ways. They gave a model in teaching by using games, team work, giving ice breaking sometimes, etc. It's just fun, it's not like usual teacher training, boring. I was so lucky, I guess. I learn so many things. There so many advantages that I've got.

Most of students don't like English lesson. They said "Studying English is difficult". I tried to practice what I got in DBE program in my class. I divided 46 students into 8 groups. I gave them an exercise of classifying the characteristic of seasons. I saw the students were so enthusiasm doing the task. I know that they like their activities. Every student participated in it. It is very effective. Student centered, so I won't be tired in teaching. What should I do is just go around the class, give some explanations when the students need.

It is very important to motivate the students in studying, studying English especially. And it's not easy for me to do it. DBE opens my eyes that there is a way to motivate the students. I optimist the students will be happy in studying English or love studying English. Of course I must make a well teaching preparation, lesson study, tasks, etc. I must be creative.

But I still find some difficulties to practice. Doing DBE style needs much time. I only have 2 x 40 minutes each meeting. I think it's not enough. It's little time, too many materials to finish. It's my problem now. And I haven't found the solution to solve it. Of course, that's just one of my problems. Another problem is I always feel unconfident with my English (grammar, vocabularies, sentence composition, etc). I've got C for writing class in college. I know I'm not good enough but I will keep learn anything especially that has relevance with English lesson. I hope I will be better someday. I will very appreciate if anybody gives me advice/s to make me or my writing better.