UMI Makassar Lecturer Team Successfully Integrates Character Education in English Language Learning, Students Are More Enthusiastic

The Indonesian Muslim University (UMI) lecturer team carried out a community service program with the theme "Harmonization of Character Education in English Language Learning", Saturday, October 12 2024. The activity was held at Kalukuang 2 Makassar State Elementary School, located on Jalan Andi Tadde No. 86, Kalukuang, Makassar City has succeeded in creating a fun and meaningful learning atmosphere. This activity was chaired by Ratnawati, S.S., M.Pd., ABA UMI English lecturer, with members Sulastri, S.S., M.Pd. lecturer in English Education at the UMI Faculty of Letters and involving two students from the UMI Faculty of Letters. This Community Service Activity (PKM) combines the excitement of learning English with the formation of student character.

This activity was attended by the Principal of SD Negeri Kalukuang 2 Makassar, Nur Arif, Ms., S.Pd., M.Pd., and the teachers of SD Negeri Kalukuang 2 Makassar who also supported this  activity. In his speech, Nur Arif, Ms., S.Pd., M.Pd., really appreciated this program. "We really support this activity because apart from improving students' English language skills, it also shapes their character for the better. This is a long-term investment for our children's future," he said.

The main aim of this program is to integrate character values ​​into the English language learning process at the elementary school level. In other words, this activity aims to ensure that students not only master English, but also develop positive characters such as honesty, responsibility and cooperation which are always emphasized.

This PKM activity was interactive, seeing the students' enthusiasm in learning English. They no longer feel bored with language lessons, on the contrary, they really look forward to every meeting. Apart from that, students' confidence in speaking English also increased significantly.

Key, one of the students taking part in this program, expressed his excitement. "Now learning English has become more exciting! I have the courage to talk to my friends using English," he said enthusiastically.

"The UMI lecturer team hopes that this program can be implemented in every learning activity and that students will have the opportunity to learn English while building strong character," he said.