Dear Lina

Have students work in pairs to invent minor problems or predicaments, write these in Indonesian to 'Dear Lina' and publish anonymously. Give students the scripts for the three problems and advice in Kesan!  to support them (in Word or PDF).

Discuss with students:

• the cultural appropriateness of problems and wording. Are there any topics that would not be openly discussed in Australia today? How could students find out what is culturally appropriate in Indonesia?
• the language that they will use. In Indonesia, particularly in Java, it is inappropriate to be too confrontational or too negative in the language used. People strive to be 'halus' (refined) and prefer not to show strong emotions publicly.
• is there a moral or legal responsibility to give 'good' advice?

Allow pairs of students to offer advice as 'Lina'. Consider how to make the advice culturally appropriate. (Although this may make it a less humorous activity, most of Dear Lina's advice is quite serious and careful).