Number of expats learning Indonesian language on the rise<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The number of expatriates learning Indonesian as
\na foreign language at the University of Indonesia's Language
\nProgram for Expatriates (BIPA) has grown by 40 percent to 530
\nstudents this year, a linguistic expert said Saturday.<\/p>\n
Dewaki Kramadibrata, coordinator of BIPA, a special program
\nfor expats held by the university's School of Letters, said that
\nthe increase in the number of students is caused mainly by the
\nlarge number of expats living and working here.<\/p>\n
The number of last year's participants was only 379, she said.<\/p>\n
She said that the many participants at BIPA's program was also
\nbecause most expats have a high awareness of wanting to learn
\nabout the Indonesian culture.<\/p>\n
\"They are very appreciative, smart and persistent.\"<\/p>\n
\"They need to speak in Indonesian for various purposes,
\nincluding business deals, educational matters and to socialize
\nwith their neighbors,\" Dewaki said after a graduation ceremony at
\nthe university's campus in Depok.<\/p>\n
Thirty-eight graduates from the advanced class were
\ninaugurated on Saturday along with the other 112 people from
\nbeginning and intermediate classes.<\/p>\n
This year's participants come from various country: Japan,
\nChina, Korea, India, Philippine, Taiwan and Finland.<\/p>\n
\"Most of the students are Japanese. All the students come from
\nvarious backgrounds, including businesspeople, students,
\nresearchers, artists, diplomats, housewives and lecturers,\"
\nDewaki said.<\/p>\n
They all have different interests and goals with respect to
\nlearning Indonesian, and BIPA attempts to meet their needs by
\nproviding a well-designed method to train foreigners to
\ncommunicate actively in Indonesian, both written and spoken as
\nwell as to help them understand various Indonesian cultures, she
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
BIPA provides two programs, a regular program and a
\nintersemester program.<\/p>\n
The US$1,000 regular program takes 16 weeks, from January to
\nMay, and from August to December.<\/p>\n
The program includes three levels of Indonesian training:
\nbeginners (BIPA I), intermediate (BIPA II) and advanced (BIPA
\nIII).<\/p>\n
The intersemester program, which cost $750, takes eight weeks,
\nbegins in June and ends in July.<\/p>\n
The intersemester program provides Indonesian courses at
\nintermediate and advance levels.<\/p>\n
Those who cannot speak Indonesian at all take BIPA I.<\/p>\n
BIPA also offers a special program tailored to meet specific
\nneeds. These programs usually last for two weeks, four weeks or
\nsix weeks, and are conducted if a minimum of 10 (maximum 20)
\npeople show interest.<\/p>\n
Yukiko Ikezu, one of the graduates, said that learning
\nIndonesian really helps her in mingling with Indonesian people.<\/p>\n
\"I never imagined that learning a language can create such
\nsatisfaction. I always thought it was hard for me to learn other
\nlanguages, especially because I'm a housewife with little
\nchildren and I have hardly any spare time for studying.<\/p>\n
\"But through the sessions, I eventually gained something
\nprecious. I learn about Indonesia's politics, economy, religions
\nand all aspects of its culture,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Yukiko recalled some of the most interesting subjects studied
\nin the lessons were about a teeth-filing ceremony and Indonesian
\nethnic architecture.<\/p>\n
\"I never thought I could make it. It seemed so difficult at
\nfirst, but with the help of teachers and friends, I eventually
\nmanaged to pass,\" the mother of two added. (edt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/number-of-expats-learning-indonesian-language-on-the-rise-1447893297",
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