English is difficult

English is difficult

Besides CNN and other foreign TV broadcasts, TVRI and RCTI are
now also airing English language news programs in the morning.

We realize English is a difficult foreign language for most
Indonesians, and English is not compulsory in elementary school.
Some elementary schools started to teach English in the fourth
grade only two years ago.

However, I do not believe that Indonesians are poor learners
of foreign languages such as English. I think it is the method of
teaching the language that is not quite correct and needs
reviewing. It is evident that many students, having finished
their high school or even university education, are still not
able to talk and write English properly.

It is also disturbing to note that the English used by the
national broadcasters is not always correct. I noticed during
RCTI's English program one sentence which was incorrect, with the
person asking: "What is the national car 'Timor' stands for?" As
far as I know, that sentence is grammatically wrong. The sentence
should be: What does the national car "Timor" stand for?

I would appreciate further comment on this matter.

ALOYSIUS HARYONO

Jakarta