On July 23 and 30, 2025, the TEFLIN Riau Chapter successfully organized a Deep Learning Training and Workshop (DLTW) at Aula Pustaka, Universitas Lancang Kuning, Pekanbaru. This event was part of a national professional development initiative designed to equip English teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary to implement Deep Learning in their classrooms. This workshop followed a nationwide online session that brought together over 900 participants from 20 TEFLIN Chapters across Indonesia. The virtual session featured three of Indonesia’s most respected education scholars, Prof. Utami Widiati, Prof. Ali Saukah, and Prof. Suwarsih Madya, who presented the theoretical framework, policy relevance, and practical significance of Deep Learning in English language education. In the Riau regional session, the workshop was led by Kurniawan, S.S., M.Pd., who guided participants through hands-on strategies to apply Deep Learning concepts in teaching English, with a focus on Classroom English, lesson design, and student-centered learning activities.
Engagement and Outcomes: A total of 63 English teachers from across Riau Province enthusiastically participated in the workshop. These educators represented a range of educational levels, from junior high schools (SMP) to senior and vocational high schools (SMA/SMK). The training offered rich opportunities for:
- Deepening teachers’ understanding of student-centered and inquiry-based learning.
- Exploring practical techniques for fostering critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative learning in the English classroom.
- Designing and presenting action plans to implement Deep Learning strategies in their own institutions.
- Building a network of reflective practitioners committed to continuous professional growth.
Throughout the two-day sessions, teachers worked collaboratively, shared real classroom experiences, and developed teaching portfolios that included lesson plans, materials, and reflection journals all grounded in Deep Learning principles. A Step Toward Transformative Education The TEFLIN Riau workshop marked an important step in advancing innovative teaching practices in the region. Teachers left the training not only with new ideas, but also with renewed motivation to transform their classrooms into dynamic learning spaces.
To ensure lasting impact, the TEFLIN Riau Chapter encourages follow-up mentoring, school-level support, and inter-school collaboration to further strengthen Deep Learning implementation. There is strong potential for replicating this model in other regions and extending its benefits to other subject areas. By investing in teacher capacity and fostering a culture of reflective, student-focused learning, TEFLIN Riau is contributing to the broader goal of building an adaptive, future-ready education system in Indonesia.
