Tuesday, 9 December 2008

END-OF-YEAR THANKSGIVING


First of all I would like to thank God, who has given me a lot of blessing so that I can serve a lot of students this year (2008). I thank God for the opportunities he has prepared for me. It is also God, who has driven me to move one step further... to enter a different kind of “world”. Indeed... for him and because of him I have done all those things...

I thank my wife, Maria Gracia Maxi, and my son, Yohanes Maria Vianney Sutadi, who always support me... Both of you are my inspiration... you are everything for me...

Thanks a lot to Ibu Caroline T. Priyapto, my mother, who endlessly prays for me and my family. Thanks a lot to my brother and sisters: FX Sutyasno, Sr. M. Kristiana SND and Cicilia E. Atmintarsih for their love and care. Thanks a lot to Madame M.M. Martanti, my mother in law, and Mas Reza, Mas Tino and Mbak Jeny for their support.

To close this year, I also would like to thank Mas Ir A.M. Suryatmanta and his wife, Mbak Ir A. Susanti, both are the owners of Kumon Mathematics School in Jalan Sudirman Bogor, who have encouraged me to start my own English course. Their words triggered my will.

I would like to thank my working partners at Independent English Course: Miss Irma Lismayanti and Miss Ramadhani Nuryunawati for their great job this year.

I want to give my thanks to my current and former students who have always made me happy and courageous by giving me supports. I will never forget to mention them for their great help and friendship: Etty Nur Baety, Arief Kurniadi, Lorita, Rahmat Hidayat, Risa Guntari, Pramita Fitri, Maria Angela Turangan, Raynaldy, Rini Asmunati, etc.

Thanks a lot to my previous colleagues who have helped me in my previous job: Ms Dewi Lestari HW, Ms Siti Wastunnahari, Ms Latifah Soraya, Mr Amir Syarifuddin, Ms Suprihati Sarlan and Tarmaji. I thank Mr Budianto Wijaya, Mr Satyadhi Hendra and Mr Udaya NH for their guidance when I still joined their company.

I would like to thank Mr Ir Mamul Zein, chairman of HIPKI DPC Kota Bogor, Ibu Ratmi and Bapak Drs. H. Ridwan Jamaluddin from UPTD Dinas Pendidikan Dasar Kecamatan Tanah Sareal, and Bapak Bambang Gunawan SH, MSi, head of Dinas Pendidikan Kota Bogor, who have helped me to establish Independent English Course by issuing recommendation and course licence.

I’d like to express my gratitude to some private students who have trusted me to help them this year: Miss Lorita, who became my first private student at Independent, Mrs. Dr. Nurhaimi Haris, who trusted me to help her to prepare her paper presentation, Mr Dr. Uhendi Haris, who gave support both to his wife and me so that the private lessons could run well. Thanks to Pramita Fitri and Risa Guntari, who kept helping me when I needed them. I’d also like to thank Mrs Yulianti Rosdian, Mrs Tanti Kusumayati, Mrs Nurjanah and Mrs Tuti Herawati from SMAN 7 Bogor, who have trusted me to help them prepare their bilingual lessons. Thanks a lot to Mr Rizal Ponto, Tubagus Riezky and Pramesti.

I also want to thank my great friends at Exultate Choir (Pak Simon, Pak Ludo, Bu Ludo, Mas Gago, etc.), St Theresia Choir (Pak Jack and friends) and BMV Choir, who have given me support and can understand my shortcoming to serve them.

I cannot deny that I learn a lot from some VCDs/DVDs and books written by great Indonesian motivators and successful people such as Pak Tung Desem Waringin, Pak Mario Teguh and Pak Purdi E Chandra. They have given me a lof of inspiration.

Finally, I thank you all for your time to read this blog.
I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
God bless you all.
(Thomas A. Sutadi)

Friday, 5 December 2008

TESTIMONIALS ABOUT MY ENGLISH COURSE

REGULAR STUDENTS SAY...

If you want to take regular classes, you can just come to my English course, Independent English Course, at Jl Raya Taman Cimanggu 50 RT 03/RW 01, Kelurahan Kedung Waringin, Kecamatan Tanah Sareal, Kota Bogor.

I have a lot of loyal students. Some of them give the following testimonials about the English course they attend twice a week.

“I like studying here because the teacher is very nice, and the atmosphere is good and fun. I really enjoy it…” (Vito Adrian, SMPN 1 Bogor)

“You can feel togetherness in the class...” (Clara Kanajaya, SMA Regina Pacis Bogor)

“Independent is a good English course. It can help us to learn English well. The place is not big but it is cosy. The teacher is kind and funny... You can be his friend and quickly learn English.” (Marwin Suwardi, SMP Regina Pacis Bogor)

“It is a good English course. The teacher is good and kind. Although it is noisy outside, we enjoy the course...” (Stevanie Clarisa, SMP Kesatuan Bogor)

“I think Independent English Course is nice. I like the lesson atmosphere…” (Annisa D.A.K., SMPN 4 Bogor)

“I think Independent is good. When we study, we sometimes laugh together...” (Andrianus Pujianto, SMP Regina Pacis)

“It is a good place to study English. The teacher is friendly and the class is good...” (Mia Sylvia S., SMP Kesatuan Bogor)

“I like Independent and I want to speak English well. I like the teacher, too.” (Christian Ryan, SD Kesatuan Bogor)

“The course is good. The teacher is funny. It is noisy outside but I like studying here...” (Livia, SMP Mardi Waluya Bogor)

“Independent is a good English course. The teacher is very nice, clever and never angry; his knowledge is wide; the place is strategic; it is clean…small but comfortable; the teaching and learning process is so fun and exciting… and there are a lot of stories and games…” (S. Hanun U., SMPN 1 Bogor)

“The course is fun and I think I become smarter after I join Independent. Besides, the teacher is very friendly.” (Rexy Dwi Putra, SMP IT ABN Bogor)

The testimonials above are truly made by my students. You may come to my English course to check whether the statements above are true or false. You will meet my enthusiastic and optimistic students...

WHAT I BELIEVE ABOUT MY STUDENTS

I always believe that my students are smart.
I always believe that my students are great persons... but I also realise that everyone is unique. Some of them learn faster than others. Some others do not learn as fast as their friends. Meanwhile, some students are better at certain aspects of English than other learners. I believe, however, sooner or later, if they really study seriously, they will master English.

I always believe that success needs a long process.
Learning and mastering English is not an instant process... it is a long process, which needs hard work and a lot of practices. My students have to use English more often and consistently. They must not be afraid of making mistakes... and they must believe that they can master it if they use English in their everyday life.

I always believe that I have to cooperate with my students and people around them.
A teacher is not everything... a teacher is not an all-round person... a teacher is not a know-how for all questions. A teacher is like a guide that shows a map... Without students, a teacher cannot do anything. On the other side, a student has to work together with a teacher to make his English better. Supports from the students’ family are needed. Parents need to check whether their children do homework or not. The society must not discourage any students who want to practise their English.