Indonesians mind their language at British Council

JAKARTA (JP): The British Council has been in Indonesia almost since the country's independence.

It was established here in 1948 and was then located in Bandung. About two decades later, it moved to Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta.

"We only began to rent space here at the S. Widjojo Center, South Jakarta, in 1979," director Neil Kemp said.

It currently houses some 20,000 books, has 2,000 videocassettes for rent, Internet and the BBC service, TVs with headphones, an English language center and a separate, fully- equipped self-study center.

The council has come a long way.

Its mission has remained that of providing education and training in the English language for Indonesians who are just starting out, but changing times and priorities have led to it accommodating a lot more than that.

With the council's aid, about 40 Indonesian universities have a link with those in the UK.

Currently, the council is focusing on collaborations with more than a dozen universities in Eastern Indonesia.

"This is to assist in the development of English language capabilities there," Kemp said.

In Jakarta they work mainly with the University of Indonesia, particularly with the school of letters, but also with the schools of sciences and technology.

Other projects include postgraduate training both for university and office staff.

With higher education funded by the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, Kemp added that the British Council was providing 65 full scholarships this year.

"Considering the economic crisis, the British government is offering an additional 400 partial scholarships as well," Kemp said.

He added that some British universities are also providing a reduction in fees and other living costs of up to US$7,000.

What about the arts and cultural studies?

"We have a big cultural affairs group here," he said.

They arrange various art and cultural events, including the ongoing film festival, photographic exhibitions, concerts, dance performances, theater, drama, storytelling and even workshops.

Other than that, the council is also involved in environmental and scientific programs.

In terms of environment and education, he said, the idea is to bring British students out to Indonesia to learn about forestry and air pollution problems and ways to overcome them.

"We are also working with NGOs on environment, science, technology and education," he said.

The 120-member staff of The British Council comprises of over 80 percent Indonesians and less than 20 percent expats.

"We tend to use expats only as language consultants... there are six in the office here amid some 80-odd people, plus of course a few language teachers," Kemp said.

For decades now the council's library has been a favorite with Indonesian students here. It boasts around 10,000 library memberships, a high usage rate and an increasing number of daily visitors.

"Nearly all our library members are Indonesians so there is no question of us losing members due to the political situation," Kemp chuckled.

The concept of study currently used at the council, Kemp said, is about focus.

"Teaching at The British Council is focused on undergraduate and postgraduate English language learners and special readers," Kemp said.

With the ongoing crisis however, the council has had to deal with its effects on the universities' student-exchange programs, according to Kemp.

He added that they were also helping universities with imported books.

"We recently received a letter from British publishers saying that they had put together a package of 250 books and that they would like to donate them to overseas universities," he said.

"We told them that there were about 50 universities here and asked for 50 packs."

The council has had to bear some losses due to the political situation here, including paying compensation of $16,000 to a music group scheduled to perform here on March 10, a day before the general elections.

He added that for their anniversary gala on Oct. 16, they have booked a 20-member theater group which if canceled, will cost them somewhere between $10,000 to $50,000.

The British Council has two language centers, one in Jakarta and one in Surabaya, and is planning to open five more in collaboration with local schools.

"They will be established in Medan, North Sumatra; Tangerang and Bandung, West Java; Semarang, Central Java; and Denpasar, Bali." (ylt)