The participants and resource persons take memorable pictures.

Twenty-nine Arabic language teachers from six regencies in Aceh gathered from 8 to 14 May 2016, in Sulthan Hotel International, Banda Aceh, to participate in Training on Teaching Methodology for Arabic Language Teachers. They were teachers from senior high schools and Madrasah Aliyah in Aceh Besar, Aceh Jaya, Banda Aceh, Pidie, Pidie Jaya and Sabang regencies.

Five Arabic and education experts from various institutions assisted the teachers during the seven-day training. They were Dr Felicia Nuradi Utorodewo (SEAMEO QITEP in Language), Dr Nuruddin (Jakarta State University), Mr Ahmad Ghozi (Centre for Development and Empowerment for Language Teachers and Education Personnel), Dr Maman Nurbayan and Dr Yayan Nurbayan (Bandung Indonesian Education University).

The resource persons explain the training materials to the participants.

The training aims to enhance the competence of Arabic language teachers in secondary level, particularly in their professionalism and pedagogic competence. They learnt integrated Arabic language teaching methods, models and media for teaching Arabic language, cross cultural understanding as well as evaluation for Arabic language skills.

In addition, the Centre delegates, resource persons and participants made time to visit Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teachers Training at Ar Raniry Islamic State University in Banda Aceh. The delegates were welcomed by Dr Saifullah (Vice Dean), Mr Moch Fajarul Falah, PhD (Head of Language Laboratory) and Dr Habiburrahman (Director of Language Development Centre). During the visit, they also had the chance to observe the laboratory in the faculty.

At the end of the training, the participants did microteaching in front of their fellow teachers (click here to watch the video). In pairs, they prepared a 45-minute lesson plan. Microteaching was conducted to see how the teachers implement the new knowledge they acquired from the training. After their session, each pair received comments from the resource persons and colleagues.

The participants do individual and group work.

One of the best participants, Ms Rasimah from MAN Darussalam, Aceh Besar, stated that “This is the first time I participated in a training. I am very happy. I hope SEAQIL conducted this kind of training for our fellow teachers who haven’t got the chance to join the training. Yesterday, I gained many knowledge (from the resource persons), and then I can practice them in front of other teachers. May Allah SWT return your kindness.”

Seconded her opinion, Mr Chairul Amri from MAN Rukoh, Banda Aceh, commented “We had a very great improvement for our professional development in Arabic language. This is a qualified training held by an excellence institution. We give our highest appreciation for SEAQIL for conducting this training.”

The best participants express their feelings about benefit of the training for themselves.