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)