Metro's Kampung Prancis boosts confidence and cross-cultural insight
The presence of Kampung Prancis (French Village) in Metro, Lampung, is having a positive impact on the community, from increasing the courage to communicate with foreign nationals to broadening insights into cross-border languages and culture, according to its coordinator and secretariat provider, Dra. Sainah Asriyani, M.Pd.
“Kampung Prancis presents language learning combined with cultural introduction, conversational practice, and activities such as making French cuisine, so the learning process is more easily understood by participants of all ages,” she said in a statement received in Bandarlampung on Friday.
She explained that her involvement in the activity began with a meeting with a Kampung Prancis group visiting Blok Kaledonia in Totokaton Village in 2022. The encounter opened up an understanding that language is a means to learn about history, culture, and relations between communities in various countries.
“Mastering a language is a window to understanding a nation’s culture because we can read books in French. Moreover, French is a United Nations language, so there is no downside to mastering it,” Sainah said.
She added that the presence of native French speakers in various activities provides a more tangible learning experience while boosting participants’ confidence in communicating using a foreign language. “Meeting French people often has made me more confident and no longer feel inferior around foreigners. It turns out the teachers from France are also very kind,” she said.
According to her, the benefits felt by the community are not limited to improved language skills but also include the growth of mutual respect through various cross-cultural activities. “One of the activities involving the community is the International Community Service (ISC), which is attended by students from Indonesia, France, Madagascar, and Egypt. Through this activity, participants gain experience interacting with various cultural backgrounds in a collaborative atmosphere,” she said.
She added that community enthusiasm for Kampung Prancis continues to grow because the activities provide an opportunity to learn French language and culture openly and free of charge. “It is hoped that the existence of Kampung Prancis will continue to develop as a space for foreign language learning while broadening the community’s insight into cultural diversity and international cooperation opportunities,” she said.