25.04.17 FIRST WORD - FIRST BRIDGES - A Story A Night (Every Thursday)

Students from Singaraja, Bali and Vietnam gathered online—was clarity linked to confidence? Let’s explore patterns behind their expression and presence.

A. THE PASSAGE

The virtual room flickered to life as familiar names began appearing on the screen. "Hello!" chirped JfpThelast, followed by a calm "Xếp," from LIN91 — the evening's gentle but strategic facilitator. The energy was warm, laced with anticipation. This wasn't just a call; it was the beginning of “A Story A Night,” an experiment in language, connection, and youthful curiosity.

"Elf won’t be joining us tonight," Jfp said, glancing at his notes. "She had a church event." Without skipping a beat, plans were shuffled. "Maybe we split the group between Omitha, Sri, and Ary," he suggested. “Mr. Dav79 is here — we can divide the breakout rooms accordingly.”

“Yes,” nodded LIN91, scanning the names populating the screen. “We’ll still lead the rooms though. Many might need support to get started.”

One by one, new voices entered. “Hello! Good evening!” DAV79’s voice rang out warmly, welcoming everyone, including Lumas Ratna and other students dialing in from different regions. Most of the them were from the Singaraja school in Bali.

Then came the first hurdle — language. “Saya tidak mengerti,” said Ratna. “I don’t understand.”

Without panic, DAV79 pivoted. “We’ll translate for you. Let’s figure out who’s comfortable in English and who isn’t.”

Mr. Putu Enters: A Voice of Encouragement

As the energy of the session continued to build, a new name appeared on the participant list.

LIN91 paused, narrowing her eyes at the display. “Is that Mr. Potu?” she asked, uncertain of the spelling.

“No,” DAV79 replied warmly. “That’s Mr. Putu. He’s here. He’s joined. Yes.”

A ripple of excitement passed through the room.

“Hello!” DAV79 greeted enthusiastically. “Welcome everybody — from Bali, from Indonesia, from Vietnam, and also from Singapore!”

There was a natural pause as screens shifted and students readjusted their attention.

DAV79 continued, scanning the attendees, “Jessica, okay, we are seeing a few names. Welcome, everybody. Thank you for dialing in.”

He turned his attention to a specific student: “Putu Intan Maharani, can you hear me?”

A soft “Wah!” came through, confirming her presence.

With everyone tuned in, DAV79 addressed Omitha, Ary, and Sri — the session’s ever-reliable trio of student translators and facilitators.

“Omitha, can you tell your friends in Indonesia — in Bahasa, or in Balinese — that Mr. Putu has joined us?” he asked. “Can you just tell everybody ‘Hi’ in Balinese and get your team ready to begin?”

The girls nodded in unison: “Oke.”

DAV79 gave a final handoff. “I will let LIN and Jfp explain, and then we’ll start.”

Then the spotlight shifted.

A calm, grounded voice came through.

“Terima kasih banyak,” said Mr. Putu Buderiasa. “Thank you for joining this meeting.”

He spoke slowly and clearly — a balance between Bahasa and English — ensuring even the newest learners could understand.

“Please follow the instructions,” he said. “And try to do your best.”

He paused for a moment, then added, “If you have any questions, please speak clearly. And please focus.”

There was something steady in his delivery — a sense of pride in his students, and belief in their potential.

“I think that’s it, Mr. David,” he concluded. “You can go on.”

DAV79 responded, “Mr. Putu, okay. LIN — all yours.”

“Thank you, Mr. Putu,” LIN91 acknowledged with a nod. “So, let’s start with Omitha.”

The screen filled with names — Tina, Larissa, Putu, Omitha, Sri, Ary. A patchwork of young voices from Indonesia, Vietnam, and beyond. As tech settled, LIN91 smiled gently. “Today, we’re going to start with something simple. One sentence to say your name. One more to share something about yourself. Then, someone else will ask you a question — but it must be a different question than what’s already been asked.”

The rules were set. Omitha and Sri, speaking both Balinese and Bahasa, translated instructions to their peers. Their leadership — calm and capable — helped bridge the gaps for many who were nervous or unsure.

“Ready?” asked LIN91. “Let’s begin with Omitha.”

The young girl smiled shyly but confidently spoke: “Hello everyone. My name is Omitha. I want you to know I like playing badminton.”

“Why do you like badminton?” asked Jfp with a curious tone.

“When I play, I feel happy,” she answered, blending Bahasa and English. “And full of spirit.”

“Nice!” Jfp nodded. “What’s your favorite color?”

“Yellow.”

“Favorite food?”

“Fried rice.”

Laughter and claps filled the digital space. “Remember,” Jfp reminded, “no one can repeat these questions!”

Next up: Ratna.

She hesitated at first but found her voice. “Hello. My name is Ratna. I like singing.”

Tina took the lead asking, “How are you?”

“I’m fine,” Ratna replied.

“How old are you?”

“I am thirteen years old.”

“Where are you from?” asked LIN91.

“Ara Sanker village,” Ratna responded.

“Who is your best friend?” asked Tina.

“Melina,” she said. “And also Pospa, Sinar, Ary, and Omitha.”

Each name she mentioned reflected not just friendship but the small world built in these shared sessions.

Tina was next. “My name is Tina. I’m 11 years old. I love drawing.”

“Why do you like drawing?” asked Santika.

“I think it’s fun and interesting.”

“What’s your favorite food?”

“Cheese.”

“That question’s already been asked,” said Jfp, catching the repetition. Santika pivoted: “Where is your school?”

“My school is in a small village in Vietnam,” Tina answered.

“Who do you want to be friends with here?” asked Ary.

Tina looked around the Zoom grid. “I want to be friends with you.”

“Why?” Ary followed.

“You seem interesting,” she said with a shy grin. “You are amazing.”

It was then Ary’s turn. “Hello, my name is Ary. I like reading novels.”

Pendi stepped up. “Why do you want to learn English?”

“I want to develop myself.”

“What’s your hobby?”

“Reading novels.”

“Where are you from?”

“From a village. But now I live in the city.”

Next: Pendi introduced herself. “I’m 15. I like reading novels too.”

Risa was called to ask questions but didn’t respond. So the baton was passed to Putu Intan Maharani.

“Why do you like novels?” she asked.

“Because they are interesting,” Pendi answered.

Ary helped Intan with translation duties, encouraging her to keep going. “What else do you want to know about your new friend?” prompted LIN91.

After a pause, Intan asked, “What are your plans for summer?”

Pendi smiled. “Still thinking,” she replied.

Guangming was called, but no response. Then came Jessica.

“Hello everyone, my name is Jessica.”

“What do you want your friends to know about you?” asked LIN91.

Jessica paused. “My idol… he’s a dancer. His name is Toharly.”

Curious eyes lit up. Ary asked gently, “Is he a singer? A teacher?”

“A dancer,” Jessica affirmed.

“Who would you like to ask her questions?” LIN91 probed.

“Putu Adelia Flora Amadis,” Jessica offered.

The Flow Continues: From Jessica to Adelia

Jessica had just finished telling the group about her favorite teacher, Misuchi, whom she admired for his humor and kindness. Though she was initially shy, with some translation help from Omitha, Ary, and Sri, she found the words to express her thoughts.

LIN91 smiled and encouraged her, “Very good. Jessica, can you now call out one name of your friend?”

After a short pause, LIN91 took over gently, “Let’s hear from Adelia. Adelia, can you introduce yourself?”

A bright voice followed. “Hello! My name is Adelia,” she said confidently. “I like swimming.”

LIN91 responded warmly, “You like swimming? Okay, very good.”

Following the pattern of interaction, LIN91 then turned to another participant, “Aliya Putri Novianti, can you ask a question to Adelia?”

Adelia, still finding her rhythm in English, hesitated. “What? I’m understand… I’m not understanding,” she confessed.

JfpThelast stepped in with clarity, “Hello, Adelia! Could you call out the name of Aliya?”

That prompted the next transition.

Omitha, Ary, and Sri, ever-reliable, jumped in to support. “Ah, Aliya!” they called.

“Yes,” came the reply from Aliya.

LIN91 reassured her, “Okay, Aliya. Can you ask a question to Adelia?”

Aliya didn’t need much prompting. “Why do you like swimming?”

Adelia answered without pause, “Because I like water.”

LIN91 affirmed, “Very good,” while Aliya exclaimed playfully, “There we go! Ouch!”

Laughter bubbled through the group.

Then Adelia added thoughtfully, “And… very exciting.”

LIN91 completed her thought with encouragement, “It makes you stronger.”

Aliya responded quickly, “Wrong.”

A round of giggles.

“But,” she added, “that is what!”

LIN91 wrapped it up with warmth, “Okay. Very good. Very good, Aliya.”

Aliya Joins the Circle

After Adelia’s lively response about loving water and the excitement of swimming, it was time for the next voice to shine. LIN91 turned to the screen and said, “So let’s hear from Aliya. Can you introduce yourself?”

A cheerful “Hello everyone,” came through.
“Very good,” LIN91 encouraged.

Aliya took a breath and introduced herself. “Like this... Aliya. I like playing badminton.”

“What else?” prompted LIN91 gently. “Tell me one more thing. What do you dislike?”

There was a pause.

“No, I'm speaking…” Aliya murmured, a bit uncertain.

LIN91 repeated the question more clearly, “What do you dislike, Aliya?”

As Aliya tried to formulate her thoughts, LIN91 asked Ary and Omitha for support. “Ary, can you help with that?”

Aliya responded with a soft, “Yeah.”

Omitha, Ary, and Sri echoed gently, guiding her, “Yes. The question is: what is one thing that you don’t like?”

Aliya hesitated, searching for words. “I… doesn’t like…”
The group waited patiently.

With a small laugh of realization, Aliya finally said, “Singing.”

LIN91 confirmed warmly, “You don’t like singing. Okay, very good.”

A new voice was then invited to interact. LIN91 called out, “Putu Desy Widiastuti… and Ary, Omitha, can you help?”

“Yes,” came the coordinated response.

“Hello Desy!” the group chorused.
“Hello,” Desy replied, her tone bright and eager.

“Okay Desy,” said LIN91. “Can you ask a question?”

Desy’s Turn: A Gentle Step Forward

After Aliya’s humorous confession that she didn’t like singing, and the ripple of laughter it sparked, the group shifted focus.

LIN91 turned toward the next speaker: “Desy, can you ask a question to Aliya?”

There was a slight pause as pronunciation was carefully handled.

“Putu Desy Widiastuti,” LIN91 said slowly, ensuring clarity, “I hope I pronounced that correctly.”

Desy chimed in with warmth, “That’s fine! Yeah.”

Omitha, Ary, and Sri — the ever-reliable translation trio — jumped in with their signature chorus: “Hello, Desy!”

“Hello!” Desy replied with a hint of excitement.

LIN91 guided her forward, “Okay, Desy. Can you ask a question?”

Desy started confidently, “Oh! What do you like?”

But LIN91 stepped in gently, “Another question — that one has already been asked.”

Desy acknowledged, “Perfect. Yes,” then tried again, searching for something fresh.

There was a moment of playful confusion as Omitha and Ary added, “But then you’re lying!” teasing the moment.

LIN91 encouraged, “Something different. What is that question?”

Desy replied thoughtfully, “Anything.”

And then, she found her question: “Do you like studying?”

Aliya answered clearly, “Yes, I like.”

LIN91 followed up, “Okay, what do you like the most? What are you good at? Which subject?”

Aliya gave a simple, “Bye bye,” which drew a chuckle from the room.

Still gently curious, LIN91 asked again, “Aliya, do you like English?”

Aliya answered brightly, “Really awesome.”

“Very good. Do you like art?” LIN91 continued.

“Yes, I like,” Aliya replied confidently.

There was a brief pause, and then it was time for Desy to call the next name.

Anguma’s question — recognized by facilitators as one of the most thought-provoking in the session — was:

“How to gain intelligence in a particular field, such as English, to develop critical thinking?”
She later simplified it, with LIN91’s support, to:
“How to develop critical thinking?”​

This question sparked a rich moment of collective reflection. Rivana, the peer recipient, attempted a response, and it led to a larger group discussion facilitated by LIN91 on strategies to enhance critical thinking — including asking more questions, continuous learning, observation, and practice​.

DAV79 and Mr. Putu later praised Anguma’s question as being of such depth that it felt “like ChatGPT wrote it” — a genuine compliment to her maturity and thought process. DAV79 admitted he was “shocked” by the quality, and Mr. Putu echoed that it made him pause and reflect​.

Kayobi Speaks Up: A Spark of Spontaneity

After the exchange between Desy and Aliya settled, LIN91 gently scanned the participant list. “Is there anyone who hasn’t spoken yet?” she asked the group.

Several names floated around. Then, she called out, “Kayobi? Hello, Kayobi!”

There was a flicker of silence.

Then, a voice emerged: “Hello!”

Smiles lit up across the virtual room. LIN91 encouraged warmly, “Okay. Can you introduce yourself quickly?”

Kayobi responded with a burst of energy: “Okay! My name is… Kayobi.”

There was a pause as the facilitators waited, encouraging her to continue. “And what do you want your friends to know about you?” LIN91 asked.

Silence……

LIN91 remained positive and supportive. “Okay, and you introduce yourself…”

Kayobi nodded. “Yeah.”

Just as he was getting comfortable, something seemed to happen with the connection. LIN91 observed, “Did we lose someone?”

DAV79 chimed in sympathetically, “Alright. Yeah, I think he panicked. Maybe exited.”

Despite the hiccup, the facilitators remained unfazed. “Okay, okay. No issues,” LIN91 reassured the group. “Very good, everyone today.”

The air was still warm with shared laughter, cultural translation, and encouragement. And though Kayobi’s appearance was brief and quirky, it left a lasting mark of spontaneity on the session — a reminder that every voice, no matter how short, adds color to the collective story.

Mr. Putu Buderiasa was instrumental in the success of the “A Story A Night” session. As the local lead in Bali, he not only brought a large group of students into an international storytelling environment but also acted as a critical bridge between facilitators and learners. His coordination allowed students with varying levels of English proficiency to access a space they might not have experienced otherwise.

Throughout the session, Mr. Putu offered timely observations about his students’ engagement, suggesting differentiated approaches for participants like Anguma. His feedback helped the team adjust the pace and design of the interaction to better suit the learners. His input was met with deep appreciation from the facilitators, particularly DAV79, who described his comments as “very good.”

What stood out most was his humility and long-term vision. He thanked the organizers for offering free access, calling it “amazing” for the Bali community, and reinforced the value of sustained collaboration. As DAV79 noted, “We are building a strong community,” and Mr. Putu played a central role in that process.

More than a guest, Mr. Putu was a co-creator — enabling, observing, and shaping the session to bring meaningful impact to his students at his school in Singaraja and hoping he could share the work with other schools in Bali.

B. Evaluation

To the researchers: Was there a direct correlation between clarity and confidence in participant expression? Let’s explore the relationship further and uncover any underlying patterns that might reveal how students think, process, and present their ideas in unfamiliar environments.

……….is that why Koyobi left?

For members above who wish to challenge or improve their score base you can do the following :

1. Read the notes in this post and provide your thoughts on the possible improvements you could make in your communication.

2. For those who want to expand their horizon and seek higher challenge, we urge you to read and comment on the following

   Chapter 13: Sensing as a Hidden Superpower

C. NEXT STEPS

Next session - everyone will break out into a few rooms and there will be leaders in each room.

Homework are loaded on Padlet Qboard. New members will need to register a free account on Padlet and access the platform to get the materials and submit their work:

https://padlet.com/Mentalist/qboard-r011-a-story-a-night-qj36c2occupguz61

D. WHY DO SCHOOLS LOVE THE PROGRAM:

This is an Innovative way for Schools to prepare themselves Schools of Tomorrow by:

• Enhancing international exposure of schools in the educational network map, preparing students to become Global Citizens.

• Partnering with Fundamental Decisions for:

  • integrating mindset-driven approach to upgrade the learning journey for students, including Personalized Report for each student from psychological and behavioral standpoint (measuring mindset traits, thinking process pattern, character, source of motivation, in which environment each student can thrive and in which they may find it challenging…), Newsletter to update latest research notes about the Future of Education, Bootcamp design….

These reports serve as a valuable and powerful reference in a student’s profile, supporting applications for higher education and scholarships in the future.

• • organizing Talkshows with parents

  • empowering Teachers with new ideas and future-needed mindset

  • digitalize school's Dashboard for real-time update for parents & students, minimizing administrative work

📩 Contact us today for an appointment to enroll your students

Let’s build confident, global-ready students—one story at a time! 🌟

NOTE:

🚀 A Story a Night is NOT a program for teaching or learning English.
💡 It’s a mindset-building experience designed to prepare students for future readiness throughstories in English. Through engaging discussions and stories, they develop critical thinking, confidence, and mindsets—all while boosting their communication in English naturally.