Indonesian Language Goes Global Through Workshop in Japan

INDUSTRY.co.id - Osaka, Japan - The Indonesian Consulate General in Osaka, in collaboration with the Affiliate of Indonesian Language Teachers and Enthusiasts for Foreign Speakers (APPBIPA) Japan branch, has organised the 2024 Workshop activities with the theme "Theory and Good Practices in Teaching Reading" and the Graduation Ceremony for Beginner-level Indonesian Language Courses (KBI) A1 and A2 at KJRI Osaka (13/1). The event is part of KJRI Osaka's efforts to promote the Indonesian language in Japan, especially in the western regions of Japan.

The Workshop is a training program and a platform for sharing information related to best practices and evaluation of language teaching methods, to enhance the competence of Indonesian language teachers and enthusiasts in Japan. "I appreciate APPBIPA for consistently promoting the Indonesian language, especially in the western regions of Japan. Various activities carried out, such as workshops and Indonesian language courses, are expected to open the gateway for Japanese nationals to cultivate their love for Indonesia," said the Acting Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Osaka in his opening remarks.

"I am pleased to have the opportunity to learn Indonesian with KJRI Osaka and APPBIPA. This course is useful for me to communicate with the local community when conducting research in Indonesia later," said Yuki Masaki, a participant in the A2 level of KBI.

The Chair of the APPBIPA Japan branch, Mr. Suyoto, stated that 2023 is a special year with the recognition of the Indonesian language as the official language of the 10th UNESCO General Conference. According to him, this achievement is inseparable from the commitment and diplomatic efforts of the Indonesian Representative and APPBIPA in advancing the Indonesian language abroad.

The Workshop activities continued with presentations by Indonesian language teachers Cynthia Vientiani (Osaka University) and Heryadi Ridwan (Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University). The training encouraged teachers and language enthusiasts to start with knowledge of understanding texts (schematic knowledge) before teaching grammar-related knowledge (systemic knowledge).

As part of the promotion of the Indonesian language, since 2021, the Indonesian Consulate in collaboration with APPBIPA Japan branch, has conducted online KBI for Beginner levels A1 and A2. Participants can take the courses free of charge. In three years, the course has been attended by 72 Japanese nationals, and 57 of them have passed and achieved basic proficiency in Indonesian. In 2023, KBI was attended by 32 participants, with 22 of them passing levels A1 and A2.

During the Workshop, the Acting Consul General awarded and presented graduation certificates to 11 participants who attended in person at KJRI Osaka. Aside from  West Japan, there were also participants from Hokkaido and Kumamoto who were present at the ceremony. In addition to the certificates, participants were also given souvenirs in the form of various Indonesian flagship products such as tea, coffee, and instant Indonesian spice mixes.

The enthusiasm of the Japanese community in the working area for learning the Indonesian language is quite high. The implementation of KBI serves as a good means in the effort to promote the Indonesian language. Considering the positive appreciation from participants, the Indonesian Consulate General in Osaka plans to organise KBI again in 2024.