Mastery of various skills is essential in today’s era of globalization. This includes foreign language proficiency, especially English.
Therefore, it is necessary to prepare excellent human resources (HR) that are competitive domestically, including competing with foreign HR in various fields.
This was implemented when the UTama English Study Program carried out Community Service (PkM) activities.
The main party and SMKN 5 Kota Bandung previously signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at SMKN 5, located at Jl. Bojong Koneng No.37A, Sukapada, Kec. Cibeunying Kidul.
The Dean of the Faculty of Languages, Dr. Hendar, Drs., M.Pd., signed the cooperation agreement with representatives from SMKN 5 Bandung.
The activities were carried out on Saturday (6/2/2021) through a workshop.
The presentation of the TOEFL test material was delivered by Dr. Ervina CM Simatupang, Head of the English Language Program, with the theme “The Benefits of the TOEFL Test and the Use of Digital Applications in Preparing for the TOEFL Test.”
Next, the TOEFL Test was conducted on Saturday (20/2/2021). Both activities were conducted virtually via Zoom Meeting.
“To take the TOEFL test, teachers and students at SMKN 5 need to be prepared by understanding the format and strategies of the test questions in order to achieve satisfactory test scores,” said Hendar on Monday (5/4/2021).
The goal, said Hendar, is for them to obtain TOEFL certificates with satisfactory and useful scores, especially for students of SMKN 5 Kota Bandung. This is because the certificates can be used to apply for jobs or continue their education at universities after they graduate from school.
“With this certificate, SMKN 5 students also have added value because they have TOEFL test experience and an understanding of TOEFL,” said Hendar.
In implementing this Community Service Program, several permanent English lecturers from the English Department of UTama were involved, namely Dr. Hero Gunawan, Drs, M.Pd . Puspita Sari, S.S., M.Hum and Alvii Timothy Siregar, M.A.
“In addition to providing training, we also gave questionnaires to students at SMKN 5 Bandung. The results of these questionnaires will become research data that we will use to determine the effectiveness of digital applications in preparing them for the TOEFL test,” concluded Hendar.
Meanwhile, the Principal of SMKN 5, Dra. Nani Sri Iryani, welcomed the activity. Nani hoped that the activity would not only be held once, but regularly and on a scheduled basis.
(Source: majalahsora.com)
