In an effort to enhance the quality of English language teaching in Indonesia, TEFLIN Central Java Chapter, in collaboration with the Undergraduate and Graduate English Education Study Programs of Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) and the Regional English Language Office (RELO) at the U.S. Embassy in Indonesia, organized a workshop titled “Strategies for Deep Learning in the English Classroom.” The event took place on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at the Bundar Room of the Faculty of Languages and Arts (FBS) Dean’s Office, UNNES, drawing dozens of English teachers and lecturers from across Central Java, including representatives from Semarang, Kabupaten Semarang, Tegal, Pekalongan, Grobogan, Surakarta, and various MGMP teacher forums at the junior and senior high school levels.
The workshop featured Magdalena Rojas Lynch, an English Language Fellow with RELO at the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, as the keynote speaker. Throughout the interactive session, she introduced the concept of deep learning, which emphasizes three main pillars: mindful, meaningful, and joyful learning. Participants engaged in hands-on activities exploring practical strategies such as creating vision boards, practicing mindfulness exercises, using energizers, undertaking reflective tasks, and employing collaborative learning techniques—all designed for immediate application in their classrooms.
Yuliati, S.Pd., M.Pd., M.Ed., Ph.D., Coordinator of the Undergraduate English Education Study Program at UNNES, stated that this activity represents a tangible commitment by UNNES to support the achievement of the university’s Key Performance Indicators (IKU). “Through this workshop, our students gain direct experience outside the campus (IKU 2) by interacting with an international practitioner. Furthermore, the presence of Ms. Magdalena as an instructor from RELO strengthens IKU 4, which focuses on practitioners teaching on campus. We hope the deep learning strategies shared can be integrated into the curriculum, thereby creating collaborative and participatory classrooms in line with IKU 7,” she said.
In a similar vein, Dr. Sri Wahyuni, S.Pd., M.Pd., Coordinator of the Graduate English Education Study Program at UNNES, emphasized the importance of sustainable innovation in learning. “We are very enthusiastic about the mindful, meaningful, and joyful learning approach because it aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 on quality education. This event also serves as concrete evidence of global partnership (SDG 17) between UNNES, TEFLIN, and RELO. At the graduate level, we will encourage our students to conduct more in-depth research on the effectiveness of these strategies in various classroom contexts, so that the findings can make a real contribution to improving the quality of education in Indonesia,” she explained.
Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Nur Qudus, M.T., IPM., Acting Dean of FBS UNNES, appreciated this international collaboration and connected it to efforts to enhance the university’s reputation on the global stage. “Collaboration with RELO at the U.S. Embassy not only enriches educators’ insights but also supports the achievement of THE Impact Rankings, which assess universities’ contributions to the SDGs. By hosting international teaching practitioners and implementing innovative learning methods, UNNES demonstrates its commitment to providing inclusive and quality education. We hope activities like this will continue and can be replicated by other institutions across Indonesia,” he remarked.
Participant enthusiasm was evident throughout the event, particularly during the gallery walk session and the digital vision board creation activity. Teachers and lecturers reported gaining fresh inspiration to create more meaningful and enjoyable learning environments. This workshop is expected to serve as an initial step for educators to continue innovating and transforming English classrooms into spaces that empower every student’s potential.
