First Volunteer Teaching Session – Mathematics and English Learning Support for Junior High School Students

On Thursday, April 16, 2026, students from Group 23 of the Early Childhood Education Teacher Education Program (PG-PAUD), Universitas Negeri Surabaya (UNESA), conducted a volunteer teaching activity at Dharma Putra Swadaya. This activity marked the first week of the volunteer teaching program aimed at supporting junior high school students as part of the students’ community service and educational contribution initiatives.

The learning activities were conducted from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM at the Dharma Putra Swadaya learning center in Surabaya. Before the lesson began, the university students introduced themselves and created a comfortable and enjoyable learning atmosphere to help students feel more confident and engaged. The session started with a joint prayer, followed by a light discussion about mathematics topics that the students had previously learned.

For Grade 7 students, the learning material focused on Mathematics, specifically algebra involving the variable x. The material was delivered gradually, beginning with an introduction to simple algebraic expressions, determining the value of variables, and solving basic algebra problems appropriate for junior high school students. The learning process was carried out interactively through explanations, group discussions, problem-solving activities on the whiteboard, and individual exercises that were later reviewed together. Through a relaxed and communicative approach, students were able to understand the material more easily.

Throughout the session, students demonstrated enthusiasm and active participation. Several students asked questions when they encountered difficulties, while the volunteers provided explanations using simple and understandable language. In addition to delivering academic content, the volunteers also motivated students to develop a positive attitude toward mathematics and encouraged them not to be afraid of solving algebra problems.

At the end of the learning session, the volunteers conducted a fun ice-breaking activity to refresh the atmosphere after studying. The activity involved simple games and group interactions that brought laughter and excitement to the students. This helped create a warm, friendly, and enjoyable learning environment where students felt comfortable participating in the volunteer program.

The purpose of this volunteer teaching activity was to improve students’ understanding of mathematics, particularly algebra involving variables, while also providing university students with opportunities to develop their teaching, communication, and interpersonal skills. Through this program, it is expected that students will become more confident in their learning and develop greater motivation to participate in educational activities both inside and outside the classroom.

For Grade 8 students, the first meeting focused on adapting the learning process to the students’ needs and abilities. Based on information provided by Mr. Arif, one of the instructors at Dharma Putra Swadaya, there was no fixed curriculum or permanent learning module used within the institution. Therefore, the learning activities were designed according to the students’ individual learning needs, abilities, and difficulties.

The session began with greetings and casual conversations to build a comfortable and friendly learning environment. The volunteers then conducted a simple ice-breaking activity to increase students’ enthusiasm and encourage active participation. After the classroom atmosphere became more conducive, the volunteers explored the subjects that students found challenging, particularly English.

Based on discussions with the students, the topics studied during the first meeting included descriptive texts, verb forms (Verb 1, Verb 2, and Verb 3), and dialogue texts. The learning process employed interactive methods such as simple exercises, group discussions, educational games, and brief evaluations at the end of the session. Additionally, the volunteers used a step-by-step approach to help students understand the material more effectively.

Students were guided to construct sentences in Indonesian first and then translate them into English together. This method helped them gradually understand sentence structure and build confidence in using English. During the activity, students showed considerable enthusiasm and actively participated in the learning process. Some students began asking questions about unfamiliar topics and attempted to create simple English sentences independently.

The tutoring program was conducted in an interactive and communicative manner. The volunteers not only explained the material but also provided individualized assistance according to each student's needs. This approach created a relaxed and enjoyable learning environment, allowing students to learn without feeling pressured.

Through this volunteer teaching experience, the university students gained valuable insights into the importance of adaptability in educational settings, particularly in non-formal learning institutions with diverse student characteristics. The activity also provided an opportunity to develop communication skills, teamwork, and flexible classroom management abilities in real-world educational contexts.

The volunteer teaching program was coordinated by:

Grade 7 Team

• Putri Dwi Adinda C.
• Khofivatun A.
• Keiza Nabila
• Nayla Syakinatul R.

Grade 8 Team

• Assyifa Tyas P.
• Arzerlyne Dwi P.H.
• Aliya