Author : Siti Nur Khamidah

TBI News - TBI IAIN Kudus Study Program Student Association (EDSA IAIN KUDUS) held an event from the Human Research Development Department work program entitled Webinar on July 31, 2021 through the zoom meeting application. The event was not only attended by students from the TBI study program, but also students from other study programs, general in nature. This webinar is an extraordinary event because the theme is so interesting for many students to join. The theme is "Australian English Conversation 101" and no less interesting, the speaker chosen by EDSA IAIN Kudus is a Native Speaker from Australia named Simone King. Therefore, these speakers who were brought in from abroad made students flock to register themselves for the event. They want to get knowledge directly from native speakers from other countries.

The purpose of the establishment of this webinar is the action of EDSA IAIN Kudus as a forum for improving English skills for TBI IAIN Kudus students as well as students of other study programs, even students from other campuses, considering this is a public webinar. So it is hoped that students who take part in this event can apply the knowledge they have gained. This webinar event was initially hosted by Muhammad Julio Andre as the Host. Then the remarks from the General Chairperson of EDSA - Tri Susmita Sari and the Head of the English Education Department of IAIN Kudus - Mrs. Alfu Nikmah, M.Pd. After the remarks and prayers were finished, the event was opened by Mrs. Alfu Nikmah, M.Pd.

As moderator, Rahma Arina Alhaq led the event. The moderator reads the curriculum vitae from the native speaker. Simone King, is a native speaker from Australia who is currently working at the University of Berwick as an Indonesian second language continuing class teacher since 2017. She has been a volunteer English teacher coordinator at the Orphanage and has many talents and talents.

The speaker then began to deliver the material in a relaxed but very intelligent style. With questions and answers about the theme, namely the unique customs and culture of the State of Australia. The speaker seemed to invite the participants to take a walk, get to know Australia more deeply and share interesting experiences. In addition, the speaker also shared knowledge about English Conversation using the Australian accent. It was very fun, the participants were enthusiastic in enjoying the webinar. After that, the speaker invited the participants to have a conversation using English with the theme when they wanted to take photos of foreign tourists at Borobudur Temple, Indonesia and when they wanted to take photos of Australian citizens when they were in Australia. Several participants volunteered to practice using English Conversation with live native speakers.

"By holding this webinar, there are many benefits, especially for students, because this webinar is not only attended by students but also lecturers and also several delegates from other study programs, so they have the opportunity to interact with native speakers directly even though it's virtual. They can also get to know more about Australian culture and customs, not only customs, but various culture shock experiences experienced by speakers. Hopefully it will provide many benefits for all webinar participants, especially TBI IAIN Kudus students, regarding English Conversation, in addition to students understanding about English British and American accents, they also gain knowledge of the Australian accent." Said Tri Susmita Sari (Chairman of EDSA IAIN Kudus).

Hopefully, this event with so many benefits, with the breadth of knowledge, becomes an event that doesn't just stop here. In the future, many useful and extraordinary events like this will be held.