To support the inclusive and interactive development of students’ English language skills, the English Literature Study Program has once again introduced an innovative learning initiative through the English Buddy program. The program is designed as an interactive companion to the main English Enrichment program for the 2025 cohort.

While the English Enrichment program focuses on formal learning with instructors or official mentors, English Buddy adopts a more relaxed, engaging, and peer-learning-based approach. Uniquely, the program is operated on a voluntary basis and is led directly by students from the 2024 cohort who serve as peer tutors.

The program was initiated by Anisah Durrotul Fajri, S.S., M.Hum., a lecturer in English Literature, with Dr. Ulyati Retno Sari, S.S., M.Hum., Head of the English Literature Study Program, serving as the person in charge. The program aims to create a learning space that is free from awkwardness and excessive pressure. With direct guidance from their senior peers, students from the 2025 cohort are expected to feel more comfortable discussing ideas, exploring new things, and gaining additional opportunities to practice and develop various aspects of their English language skills.

In its implementation, students from the 2025 cohort across five classes—Classes A, B, C, D, and the International Undergraduate Program (IUP)—are divided into six learning groups. Each group is led by a peer tutor from the 2024 cohort: Muhamad Farhan, Zia Aulia, Laeliya Nuryani, Ahmad Jundi Ulya, Ridho Rahmat Ghifary, and Utin Syaefa.

The English Buddy activities are designed to be flexible. Sessions are planned to take place once a week, lasting approximately one hour. The time and location are determined by mutual agreement among group members and may take place indoors on campus or outdoors in a more relaxed setting outside the campus.

The English Buddy program reflects the English Literature Study Program’s commitment and dedication to creating a supportive academic environment. Through this cross-cohort collaboration, the study program hopes to develop graduates who are not only academically accomplished but also adaptable and proficient in English. (MF)