The using of HOTS questions to stimulate the learners' thinking skills is essential to meet the challenge of 21st century. However, we know little about to what extent and what particular aspects of HOTS implemented in Indonesia English National Examination. Therefore, in order to fulfil the gap, the present study attempts to identify the use of HOTS-based questions and what particular skills appearing under HOTS category in English National Examination. We examine one package of each English National Examination from 2013 until 2018. We analyse 210 multiple-choice items in which each examination contain 35 items of reading comprehension. The items are analyzed quantitatively through content analysis based on the aspects of HOTS in Revised Bloom's Taxonomy. The researchers find that there is insufficient amount of HOTS questions in English National Examination. 157 items classified into the LOTS and only 53 (25.23%) items are classified into HOTS. The second finding is that the level of HOTS included in English National Examination 2013-2018 is only the level of Analyze. The Differentiating and Organizing are the subskills of the aspect of Analyze that are mostly included in all examinations. There is strong evidence for encouraging the test developers to provide adequate portions of HOTS-based items in English National Examination.

The present study attempts to scrutinize the manifestation of cultures and intercultural interactions in English textbooks. It investigates three English textbooks for twelfth-grade students produced by three relatively major publishers in Indonesia by employing cultural content and intercultural interaction analysis. The findings show that the examined textbooks do not appropriately demonstrate cultural diversity in the international context as cultures of Indonesia and English-speaking countries have their dominancy. Also, the textbooks mostly demonstrate intercultural interactions in fragmented, limited, and superficial ways. Some recommendations are addressed for future textbooks authors and publishers as well as English teachers. The results suggest textbook publishers and authors include more the material about international culture and to provide more the demonstration of deep intercultural interaction. Moreover, teachers need to be creative by adding supplementary cultural materials to patch up the shortcomings of the textbooks.

Globalization inevitably increases communication among people from different languages and cultural backgrounds. This phenomenon dramatically demands changes in the traditional aims of language teaching which rely on the norms and values of native-speaking countries. A large body of literature encourages language teaching to be concerned more with intercultural competence (hereinafter IC), which is allegedly effective to help students achieve successful intercultural communication. Nonetheless, in the Indonesian context, there is still an iota of evidence regarding pre-service teachers’ understandings of the terms culture and IC. Thus, this study attempts to gain insights into Indonesian English as a Foreign Language (EFL) pre-service teachers’ understandings of culture and IC. It is considered as a single case study employing questionnaires and interviews. In total, 26 EFL pre-service teachers participated in this study by answering a questionnaire, with mainly close-ended and some open-ended questions. From these participants, seven pre-service teachers were interviewed. The results suggested the discrepancy in the participants’ understandings of culture and IC. This condition may hinder the meaningful goals of cultural teaching and the effective pedagogical practices in their future EFL classrooms. Drawing on the results, the present study provides some recommendations for the pre-service teachers and teacher education in an attempt to develop cultural teaching in English Language Teaching (ELT).

This article is a report of Community Service Program aiming at giving understanding and learning experience to Ponorogo tourism ambassador in improving Public Speaking and English competency to promote tourism. The participants of this program are 20 finalists of Ponorogo tourism ambassador 2021. This one-day-training program is carried out in form of presenting, practicing directly, doing demonstration, and simulation. Furthermore, Public Speaking materials presented are the basic technique of Public Speaking, solving anxiety in Public Speaking, the breathing technique of Public Speaking, the vocal technique of Public Speaking, Public Speaking preparation, the opening technique of Public Speaking, the material delivering of Public Speaking, and the closing technique of Public Speaking. English materials covered greeting expressions, asking and giving information, and explaining tourism object. After the materials presentation, all the participants should get throughdirect practice on delivering Public Speaking in English about tourism. Generally, the participants are active and enthusiastic. All participants can follow and perform direct demonstration related to the materials given. There are still mistakes they have done in using grammar and pronouncing some English words. However, they show their best efforts understanding the material. At the end of this program, the participants are expected to have learning experience as one of their asset to sharpen Public Speaking ability and foreign language proficiency, especially English.