Extension activities

Pasar kami - Our market:

Challenge students to run an Indonesian market - either within the class or with another buddy class taking part as well. NB At least an hour lesson is needed.

In advance of the market day, have students work together in groups of 4 to plan and set up stalls (kedai). The name of the stall should be displayed eg buah-buahan, minuman.

Stalls could be stocked with real produce. For example, students may donate some fruit, or make krupuk or popcorn (jagung brondong) or fruit juice; or offer services such as hair braiding or massage. Or they could include a range of paper / cardboard items such as small woven baskets, spinners, small kites, paper wallets, fans, sunhats, bookmarks, tiny 'books' or anything else that the stall-holders think they could make using only scissors, staples / glue and paper / cardboard, felt tip pens etcetera. Allow students to use their imaginations, but ask them to keep an Indonesian 'flavour' to what they make.

Print fake 'Rupiah' notes printed on recycled 'waste' paper and give each student an initial Rp50.000. Blackline master sheets of rupiah notes are available in many Indonesian resources (see Offline Resources section). Have one group of four students whose job it is to run the 'Bank' to collect 'rent' every 15 minutes and change larger notes for smaller ones if stallholders run out of change.

Have half the students man the stalls while others act as customers, then swap over half way through. You could monitor how things are going and use a gong or Indonesian music to swap roles when necessary.

Customers  must buy at least one food item. They cannot buy from their own stall. Stallholders must make sufficient money to pay rent and stay in business. Stallholders can try to attract customers attention by calling out in Indonesian or putting up signs or offering specials etcetera.

Anyone heard using English in a bargaining transaction has to pay a fine to the Bank. (Set the fine according to how difficult students will find the no-English in bargaining rule).

Be prepared to call a 'time out' to discuss revising the rules if necessary. And be prepared for a messy classroom, but have lots of fun!