Language Agency: Indonesian Language Learning Now in 61 Countries

The Language Development and Fostering Agency (Badan Bahasa) has stated that Indonesian language learning for foreign speakers (BIPA) is now present in 61 countries. Head of the Language Agency Hafidz Muksin, in Ungaran, Semarang Regency, on Wednesday, said his institution is committed to facilitating Indonesian language teaching for foreign speakers by providing BIPA instructors, both offline and online. “At present, 61 countries already have BIPA programmes, with more than 770 BIPA institutions, whether organised by Indonesian embassies, universities, or other bodies,” he said. This was conveyed during the 2026 International Conference of the Association of Indonesian Language and Literature Lecturers (Adobsi), themed “Transformation of Indonesian Language and Literature in Education and Technology: Interdisciplinary Perspectives”, at the Central Java Language Office. He mentioned that the Language Agency annually dispatches BIPA instructors who are rigorously selected in accordance with the Indonesian National Work Competency Standards (SKKNI) for teachers. “This means that those selected are genuinely qualified to become BIPA instructors,” he stated. Beyond instructors, he noted, teaching modules have also been prepared by the Language Agency, adapting to technological developments through the BIPA Daring online platform. “We are continuously improving, updating, and completing these teaching modules, concerning their standards, quality, and varieties,” he said. According to him, the Language Agency cooperates with the Affiliation of Indonesian Language Instructors and Activists for Foreign Speakers (APPBIPA) to enhance BIPA, partnering with universities both in Indonesia and abroad. He noted that global enthusiasm for learning Indonesian is growing, evidenced by Al Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, having opened an Indonesian language and literature study programme. “In 2025, in the first semester alone, the inaugural class attracted over 300 students registering for the Indonesian language programme. This shows how Indonesian is increasingly becoming a global language,” he said. Looking ahead, he stated, the Language Agency together with APPBIPA will continue collaborating to add more target countries for BIPA, so that the Indonesian language becomes ever more global. “Cumulatively, we hope for at least three or four more countries running BIPA this year. We are pursuing the latest target countries, with support from universities and foreign students studying in Indonesia,” he said. Additionally, Hafidz added that Indonesian has now become an official language at UNESCO sessions and the 57th official language of Vatican News, a religious media outlet reaching all Catholics worldwide. “This means global audiences who regularly view news, appeals, and calls from the Pope are now familiar with the Indonesian language. This presents an opportunity we must certainly build upon going forward,” he concluded.