Officers learn on the English language beat<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Police Language School (Sebasa) held an
\nEnglish speech contest here Tuesday in an effort to help officers
\npolish their language skills.<\/p>\n
The school's head, Col. Roosiana, said students spoke
\nextemporaneously on several topics, including the \"Love Rupiah\"
\nmovement, the economic crisis, drug abuse and unemployment.<\/p>\n
Winners from the 36 contestants were Capt. Firli of East Timor
\nPolice Headquarters, First Lt. Rusdi Setiawan of Semarang Police
\nAcademy and Second Lt. Arsdo Simatupang of Lampung Police
\nHeadquarters.<\/p>\n
\"English is useful not only for communication, but also for
\nboosting their careers because, by mastering the foreign
\nlanguage, their opportunities to sent anywhere overseas will be
\nwide open,\" Roosiana said.<\/p>\n
The school's objective, she said, was primarily to train
\nqualified English-speaking officers, whose language proficiency
\nwould be beneficial for international assignments and in
\nmastering scientific and technological tasks to solve crime
\ncases.<\/p>\n
\"There are growing numbers of crimes, such as drug abuse
\ncases, involving foreigners as the suspects.<\/p>\n
\"This situation has forced the police to improve their ability
\nin speaking the language. English is also useful for those who
\njoin peacekeeping operations under the auspices of the United
\nNations.\"<\/p>\n
Sebasa, based in Jakarta, enrolls students from police
\nheadquarters in the 27 provinces nationwide. Each province
\nassigns two or three officers every three months.<\/p>\n
Established in 1993, Sebasa has traditionally three-month
\ncourses in languages including Chinese, French, German and Dutch.<\/p>\n
Last year, 400 officers graduated from English classes at the
\nschool. An estimated 550 students will join the school this year.<\/p>\n
\"This year, we will concentrate on English lessons. We will
\nschedule other foreign language courses based on special requests
\nor needs,\" Roosiana said.<\/p>\n
For instance, the school would hold special classes for
\nmastering active German for detectives assigned to study in
\nGermany, and there would be special lessons for detective
\nterminology.<\/p>\n
Currently, Sebasa has 23 local teachers and one native speaker
\ninstructor.<\/p>\n
Three to five top students take the test for UN peacekeeping
\nduties every year.<\/p>\n
\"One of our graduates, Let. Col. Ito Sumardi, who now heads
\nthe Karawang police precinct, was chosen to be the team leader
\nfor the peacekeeping team in Bosnia, replacing an officer from
\nthe U.S.,\" said Roosiana, herself a former English instructor at
\nLackland Air Force Base, Texas.<\/p>\n
She stressed the benefits of holding the contest.<\/p>\n
\"Here, we're encouraging the students to speak English
\nproperly. That is why it is important to hold such a speech
\ncontest like the one we have now.\" (edt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/officers-learn-on-the-english-language-beat-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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