Foreign languages

I read in your paper dated May 17, 1996, an article called "Secondary school English classes not effective," and would like to make the following comments.

It must be clearly understood that Indonesia does not have or practice a second language. The country recognizes only one language -- Bahasa Indonesia. English is a foreign language, like Dutch, German, Japanese, Mandarin and Arabic, but English is the first foreign language used officially and for foreign communication. Consequently it is expected that the educated public should be able to speak, write, read and understand the English language properly.

The topics and material discussed in the seminar mentioned in the article are well known to all levels of Indonesia's educated community, including the government, educational institutions and individuals. There is no need to hold seminars again and again to discuss the same issues and problems, which is only a waste of money, time and energy.

It would be far more effective if speakers were to sit down together and analyze the difficulties. They could then conduct experiments to test their opinions and submit the results to the government for further study.

OEMAR JOENANI

Bandung, West Java