SMA Negeri 2 Surakarta Integrates Informal Digital Learning of English (IDLE) – AI (Artificial Intelligence) into Its Curriculum
(Prof. Ju Seong Lee from The Education University of Hong Kong,in collaboration with Dr. Nur Arifah Drajati from UNS, and Sri Tilar Winarni, S.Pd., M.Pd from SMA Negeri 2 Surakarta.)
Surakarta, Indonesia — SMA Negeri 2 Surakarta is proud to announce the integration of Informal Digital Learning of English (IDLE)- AI (Artificial Intelligence) into its curriculum and after-school programs. This forward-thinking initiative aims to enhance students’ English proficiency especially speaking skill through creative, technology-based learning experiences that extend beyond the traditional classroom setting. Through IDLE-AI, the school provides a dynamic and flexible learning environment designed to foster curiosity, digital literacy, and a lifelong love for learning. The program encourages students to explore English through digital platforms especially Artificial Intelligence (AI) for speaking that align with their personal interests, preparing them to thrive in an increasingly globalized world.
Joining the Global IDLE-AI Module Program
SMA Negeri 2 Surakarta is honoured to participate in the IDLE- AI Module Program, an international English learning project led by Prof. Ju Seong Lee from The Education University of Hong Kong in collaboration with Dr. Nur Arifah Drajati from Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta. This collaboration took 3 months, started from Pebruary 2025 to April 2025.
This program seeks to boost students’ motivation and engagement in learning English especially in improving speaking skill through enjoyable and meaningful digital activities. Participants experience English in authentic contexts through AI for speaking. By integrating IDLE -AI into the learning process, the IDLE-AI Module Program makes English study more fun, relevant, confident, and inspiring for students.
A Successful Visit and Positive Student Response
On Tuesday, February 25, 2025, Prof. Ju Seong Lee, accompanied by the team from Education University of Hong Kong and Dr. Nur Arifah Drajati visited SMA Negeri 2 Surakarta to observe firsthand how the IDLE- AI Module Program is being implemented. They attended sessions in Sri Tilar Winarni’s class, where students from Grade XII-F 1 and XI- F 1 actively participated in speaking English using AI.
First the teacher, Win shared an interactive AI for speaking namely Moodie.ai then asked the students to practice their speaking skill using the tool they like. Students can practise and re-record themselves, see their improvement, which supports confidence building even the learners get detailed analytics on their presentation/communication performance (voice, body language, content). Students enthusiastically shared their result after practising using AI, demonstrating high levels of engagement and confidence. Prof. Lee and the team also conducted interviews with several students to gain deeper insight into their experiences and learning progress through the program. The visit was a resounding success, showcasing the positive impact of the IDLE- AI Module Program on students’ language development, creativity, and overall enthusiasm for learning English.
Looking Ahead
SMA Negeri 2 Surakarta remains committed to embracing innovative educational approaches that enrich students’ learning experiences. Through continuous implementation of the IDLE-AI program, the school aims to nurture confident, globally minded learners who are well-prepared to face the challenges and opportunities of the digital era.
“We believe that learning English through IDLE -AI not only improves language skills but also inspires students to see English as a tool for global communication,” said Sri Tilar Winarni, S.Pd., M.Pd,, the participating English teachers. Finally, it can be concluded that the implementation of IDLE-AI at SMA Negeri 2 Surakarta has successfully improved the English language learning experience for students and yielded positive outcomes such as enhanced language skills, as evidenced by improved performance in assessments.