Samarinda, June 9, 2026 — The English Education Study Program of the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP), Universitas Muhammadiyah Kalimantan Timur (UMKT), successfully organized a workshop titled Innovative Approaches in Teaching English for Young Learners (TEYL) on June 9, 2026, at the General Sudirman Building, UMKT. Carrying the theme “Empowering English Teachers for Young Learners,” the event brought together English teachers, alumni, and pre-service teachers to explore current issues and innovative practices in teaching English at the elementary level.
A total of 70 participants attended the workshop, including English teachers from schools across the region, FKIP UMKT alumni, and senior students of the English Education Study Program. The event served as a professional development forum and a platform for sharing best practices in English language teaching for young learners, particularly in response to evolving educational policies and the demands of 21st-century learning.
The workshop was jointly organized through a collaboration between the English Education Study Program of UMKT, Teaching English as a Foreign Language in Indonesia (TEFLIN), the Regional English Language Office (RELO), and the U.S. Embassy. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to enhancing the quality of English language education in Indonesia through teacher capacity building and greater access to innovative teaching practices.
The program commenced with participant registration, followed by the opening ceremony, the singing of the Indonesian national anthem and the Muhammadiyah Hymn, a prayer session, welcoming remarks from the Head of the English Education Study Program, and an official opening by the Dean of FKIP UMKT. The event also featured the signing of an Implementation Agreement (IA) and a group photo session involving the speakers, university leaders, and participants.
The first session was delivered by Prof. Dra. Utami Widiati, M.A., Ph.D., President of TEFLIN, who presented “Training of English Teachers at Elementary Schools to Prepare Implementation of the New Regulation.” She highlighted the importance of strengthening elementary school teachers’ competencies to support the implementation of new regulations concerning English language instruction. She also emphasized the need for sustainable professional development programs to ensure high-quality learning experiences that meet the needs of today’s learners.
The second session featured Prof. Ali Saukah, M.A., Ph.D., a prominent Indonesian scholar in English language education, who delivered a presentation titled “Teaching English as a Mandatory Subject in Elementary Schools.” His session examined both the opportunities and challenges associated with the renewed emphasis on English as an important subject in elementary education, covering curriculum considerations, teacher readiness, and effective implementation strategies within the Indonesian context.
The final session was led by Kevin McCaughey, Director of the Regional English Language Office (RELO), who presented “Practical English for Young Learners.” Participants were introduced to a range of communicative, engaging, and learner-centered classroom practices. Demonstrations of practical teaching activities provided valuable inspiration for creating more interactive and meaningful learning experiences for elementary school students.
Throughout the workshop, participants actively engaged in discussions and question-and-answer sessions focusing on teaching strategies, materials development, technology integration, and the implementation of recent educational policies. The lively exchanges reflected the strong demand for relevant and practical professional development opportunities among both in-service and pre-service teachers.
During the event, Dr. Abdul Halim, M.Pd., Ph.D., Vice Rector of UMKT and TEFLIN Regional Coordinator for East and North Kalimantan, expressed his appreciation for the successful organization of a program that brought together practitioners, academics, and educational stakeholders from various sectors.
He noted that the visit of the RELO Director to UMKT represented an important milestone for expanding collaboration in English language education development in East Kalimantan.
“We warmly welcome this event, particularly the visit of the RELO Director, which represents a strategic opportunity to advance English language education in East Kalimantan. UMKT is ready to serve as a strategic partner of RELO in various human resource development initiatives aimed at enhancing educational quality and strengthening the competitiveness of the region’s workforce,” he stated.
Dr. Abdul Halim further expressed hope that the partnership among UMKT, TEFLIN, RELO, and the U.S. Embassy would continue to grow through teacher training programs, curriculum development initiatives, capacity-building activities, and academic collaborations that contribute meaningfully to educational quality improvement in East and North Kalimantan.
The workshop concluded with a certificate presentation ceremony for the speakers and closing remarks from the organizing committee. Through this event, UMKT reaffirmed its commitment to promoting educational innovation and human resource development. The support of TEFLIN, RELO, and the U.S. Embassy is expected to pave the way for future collaborative initiatives that strengthen English language education and enhance the competitiveness of Indonesian youth in both national and global contexts.
The workshop also demonstrated how collaboration among higher education institutions, professional associations, and international partners can create productive learning opportunities for educators. Through such partnerships, UMKT continues to contribute to educational advancement and the development of competent, ethical, and future-ready human resources.
