English Youth Community (E-YouC) Makassar held its Intensive Meeting for the 2025–2026 period on Sunday, 7 December 2025, gathering enthusiastic members at Tempat Duduk Cafe, Jl. Yusuf Bauty, Gowa. Unlike a usual classroom setting, the meeting carried a relaxed indoor café atmosphere, allowing participants to learn while feeling comfortable, open, and connected.
Before entering the main discussion, the moderator, A. Nailah Fitri Amalia, opened the session with a light introduction and invited participants to share their expectations. To make the room feel more alive, the agents facilitated a short interactive game that quickly helped everyone loosen up. The activity was simple but effective participants laughed, moved around, and immediately felt more engaged. This warm-up helped set a positive tone and prevented the session from feeling too formal or monotonous.
After the opening activities, the speaker, Andi Dwi Putra Ramadhan, S.Pd., began presenting the material “Hook Your Audience: Powerful Class Openings.” Instead of focusing on complex theories, he brought clear examples, classroom situations, and practical tips that participants could directly apply. He highlighted key elements such as tone, presence, clarity, confidence, and emotional connection showing how these small components can create a strong first impression in any teaching or speaking context.
As the material progressed, the atmosphere became even more lively. The speaker encouraged participants to try short opening lines, practice gestures, and experiment with different speaking styles. Some attempts felt funny, some unexpectedly good, and some still shy but that was exactly the point. Everyone was encouraged to try without fear of judgment. The room stayed energetic, especially because the earlier game had helped break the initial stiffness.
After the main session, participants were divided into small groups for practice. Each group was accompanied by a formatur who guided them in creating their own class-opening versions. The agents also slipped in another short game during this part to keep the mood fun and prevent fatigue. The blend of learning and play made the practice segment feel natural and enjoyable. Participants who were initially nervous gradually became more active and talkative.
The purpose of this Intensive Meeting went beyond learning techniques it aimed to build confidence and help participants understand that impactful class openings come from consistent practice. The English Youth Community believes that a supportive environment helps both learners and formaturs grow side by side. For the formaturs themselves, the session was also a chance to try new methods, observe participant reactions, and strengthen their facilitation skills.
At the end of the meeting, one participant shared that they usually struggled when opening a presentation, often unsure how to begin. But after experiencing the interactive activities, practice sessions, and supportive atmosphere, they felt more confident and had a clearer sense of what makes an opening engaging. They noted that the games helped them relax and enjoy the learning process instead of worrying about making mistakes.
The enthusiastic response from participants signals a strong start for the 2025–2026 period. English Youth Community hopes that every meeting both free and intensive continues to offer warm, open, and meaningful learning spaces for everyone involved.
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Author: Rahma Yunita
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