One Dollar, One Dinar: Rewards for the “Language Warriors”
Bekasi, 2023 The month of August at Al Siddiq International School was not only enlivened by the celebration of Indonesia’s 78th Independence Day, but also by the launch of a special program awarding “rewards” to students who actively practiced using Arabic and English in the school environment. The program, known as the Bilingual Gamification Program, began in the third week of August, one month after the start of the academic year. This initiative was introduced by the Bilingual Unit with the aim of increasing students’ interest in using Arabic and English both inside and outside the classroom. Under the leadership of Ustadz Fedrian Hasmand, the unit designed a model of play money in two currencies: dollars and dinars. A “dollar” was given as a reward for conversations in English, while a “dinar” was awarded for conversations in Arabic. The play money came in denominations of one, five, and ten. The value given depended on the quality and quantity of conversations students engaged in, whether with peers, teachers, or school staff. For example, one dollar or dinar was awarded not only for simple greetings or brief responses, but also for initiating conversations that involved teachers or staff. A denomination of five was given to students who could engage in discussions or exchange information with peers. Finally, a denomination of ten was awarded to those who could answer lesson-related questions in class or share stories about specific topics. Rewards were distributed by teachers, principals, foundation administrators, and school staff. This reward system successfully sparked students’ enthusiasm to apply their language lessons in daily life. Students became highly motivated, encouraging their peers who were still less active in using both languages. The program also proved effective in boosting children’s confidence and courage in bilingual communication. After receiving the play money, students were required to submit it to their homeroom teachers for recording and calculation. The totals would be accumulated until the end of the semester, and those with the highest points would receive real prizes at the mid-semester report distribution. The Bilingual Gamification Program continues into September, with the hope that students will remain istiqomah—consistent and committed—in actively using both languages in every activity, both inside and outside the classroom. Truly, these special rewards are well-deserved by the “Language Warriors” of Al Siddiq International School. [Red]
