Number of expats learning Indonesian language on the rise

Number of expats learning Indonesian language on the rise

JAKARTA (JP): The number of expatriates learning Indonesian as
a foreign language at the University of Indonesia's Language
Program for Expatriates (BIPA) has grown by 40 percent to 530
students this year, a linguistic expert said Saturday.

Dewaki Kramadibrata, coordinator of BIPA, a special program
for expats held by the university's School of Letters, said that
the increase in the number of students is caused mainly by the
large number of expats living and working here.

The number of last year's participants was only 379, she said.

She said that the many participants at BIPA's program was also
because most expats have a high awareness of wanting to learn
about the Indonesian culture.

"They are very appreciative, smart and persistent."

"They need to speak in Indonesian for various purposes,
including business deals, educational matters and to socialize
with their neighbors," Dewaki said after a graduation ceremony at
the university's campus in Depok.

Thirty-eight graduates from the advanced class were
inaugurated on Saturday along with the other 112 people from
beginning and intermediate classes.

This year's participants come from various country: Japan,
China, Korea, India, Philippine, Taiwan and Finland.

"Most of the students are Japanese. All the students come from
various backgrounds, including businesspeople, students,
researchers, artists, diplomats, housewives and lecturers,"
Dewaki said.

They all have different interests and goals with respect to
learning Indonesian, and BIPA attempts to meet their needs by
providing a well-designed method to train foreigners to
communicate actively in Indonesian, both written and spoken as
well as to help them understand various Indonesian cultures, she
said.

BIPA provides two programs, a regular program and a
intersemester program.

The US$1,000 regular program takes 16 weeks, from January to
May, and from August to December.

The program includes three levels of Indonesian training:
beginners (BIPA I), intermediate (BIPA II) and advanced (BIPA
III).

The intersemester program, which cost $750, takes eight weeks,
begins in June and ends in July.

The intersemester program provides Indonesian courses at
intermediate and advance levels.

Those who cannot speak Indonesian at all take BIPA I.

BIPA also offers a special program tailored to meet specific
needs. These programs usually last for two weeks, four weeks or
six weeks, and are conducted if a minimum of 10 (maximum 20)
people show interest.

Yukiko Ikezu, one of the graduates, said that learning
Indonesian really helps her in mingling with Indonesian people.

"I never imagined that learning a language can create such
satisfaction. I always thought it was hard for me to learn other
languages, especially because I'm a housewife with little
children and I have hardly any spare time for studying.

"But through the sessions, I eventually gained something
precious. I learn about Indonesia's politics, economy, religions
and all aspects of its culture," she said.

Yukiko recalled some of the most interesting subjects studied
in the lessons were about a teeth-filing ceremony and Indonesian
ethnic architecture.

"I never thought I could make it. It seemed so difficult at
first, but with the help of teachers and friends, I eventually
managed to pass," the mother of two added. (edt)