Jessika Santoso, a student at BYU-Hawaii (BYU-H), has shared her inspiring journey into the world of Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) and professional writing.
Her story reflects her commitment to education, deeply rooted in her family’s values, and her determination to build a meaningful career that blends her passion for language with a desire to give back.
Table of Contents
- A Journey of Educational Inspiration
- Shaping Career Aspirations Through Experience
- Professional Roles: From Tutor to Research Assistant
- Innovating in Educational Technology
- Looking Ahead
- Related Content
A Journey of Educational Inspiration
Growing up in Indonesia, Jessika’s late father instilled a substantial value in education despite the family’s modest means. Due to work commitments, her father, who had pursued a bachelor’s degree in English, couldn’t complete his senior research project. This struggle fueled his dedication to ensuring the best education for his daughters, a promise he fulfilled by sending them to top schools in their town. However, the financial realities of higher education in Indonesia left Jessika with limited options. The only feasible path for her and her sisters was BYU-H, a school where she could work while studying.
Initially interested in studying Intercultural Peacebuilding, Jessika ultimately decided to pursue a degree in TESOL after realizing that it offered more promising career prospects in Indonesia. This shift allowed her to balance her professional aspirations with her interest in humanitarian work.
Shaping Career Aspirations Through Experience
Jessika’s time at BYU-H began in 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic pushed classes online. In 2021, she took a break to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Indonesia. Her mission experience sparked an interest in translation and writing, which later led her to become a writing tutor at BYU-H’s Reading and Writing Lab (RWL).
While most TESOL students worked as English language tutors, Jessika followed a different path, finding her passion in writing tutoring. Through this experience, she discovered her love for technical writing, leading her to add Professional Writing as a third minor alongside TESOL, Psychology, and Human & Health Science.
Professional Roles: From Tutor to Research Assistant
Jessika’s professional development leaped forward when she earned the title of College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) Master Tutor at the RWL. This certification, the highest level for tutors, required her to develop skills in time management, tutoring strategies, and cross-cultural communication. As a Master Tutor, she also trained new tutors, ensuring they were well-equipped to assist students from diverse linguistic backgrounds.
One of Jessika’s standout projects was organizing an Open Mic event at BYU-H, showcasing student talent in poetry, music, and comedy. This event, which had not been held in over six years, highlighted the RWL as a supportive, creative space for students, especially international learners who may feel anxious about seeking writing help.
In addition to her tutoring work, Jessika was a research assistant for Dr. Po Nien (Felipe) Chou, a religion professor specializing in Asian and Pacific church history. Her work included writing and translating articles on the Church’s history in Indonesia, Fiji, and Timor Leste. This experience deepened her connection to her home country and broadened her skills in academic research and translation.
Innovating in Educational Technology
Jessika has also been a pioneer in integrating educational technology into her teaching. One notable initiative was her creation of an Augmented Reality (AR) Instagram filter for the RWL. By transforming the lab’s physical photo frame into a digital filter with quizzes and writing-related features, she significantly increased the lab’s online engagement, with over 500 students interacting with the account following the Holokai Fair.
Using platforms like Google Classroom and interactive Bitmoji lessons for younger students highlights her forward-thinking approach to education. Jessika is also researching language assessment, using software like TAALES to analyze lexical diversity in writing. This project aims to explore how translation can be used as a tool for assessing language proficiency.
Looking Ahead
As Jessika nears graduation, she is setting her sights on securing a teaching position in Indonesia and hopes to work part-time for the Church’s translation department. She is also interested in developing language-learning apps and contributing to the broader field of English language education through curriculum development and assessment.
Reflecting on her journey, Jessika encourages aspiring educators to remain adaptable and open to learning. Her advice emphasizes the importance of professional development and networking, as demonstrated by her experience at the 2024 TESOL International Convention in Florida, where she connected with leading figures in the TESOL field from Indonesia.
Through her experiences at BYU-Hawaii and beyond, Jessika Santoso has not only found her passion for TESOL and professional writing but has also paved the way for a promising career in education and technology.
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