EFL (English as a Fourth and Force Language) in Indonesia

By miftachudin arjuna - May 01, 2015

Initially EFL stands for English as a Foreign Language and explicable among teachers, practitioner, and linguists. In my view point, EFL means English as a fourth language because most Indonesian learn it as the fourth one.

Indonesia inherits 750 local languages from previous forebear. Among them are 270 local languages serving as the first language. It gives critical identification among Indonesian as part of diversity. Secondly, people use Indonesian language at school and use it in a formal occasion. They take it as the second language. The following language plays on the third place; Arabic language. They learn it because it is an obligation as the impact of religion teaching. Albeit it does not happen for all Indonesian, I can say Arabic and Islam are one package. In fact, Islam dominates 80% population; therefore, Arabic becomes popular along with the growth of its conformist.

In elementary school, English is an optional subject from 4 - 6 grade. Lately, it becomes intriguingly important subject as the basement of  7-12 grade and higher education. It is considerable that Indonesian students have a problem in international communication because they learn English in the fourth order and  mere inside the class. With extracurricular activities and supporting language environment, it will help students to boost EFL (English as a fourth language) mastery in 4 language skills; listening, reading, speaking, and writing (LRSW).

Another term of EFL is English as a Force Language. I mean that Indonesian students still reluctant to study English and have not a specific intention to learn it.  Sometimes educators have to insist them with competitive assignment in order to advance their knowledge. Sharing cross culture understanding and language experience in foreign country may raise sense of urgency in learning English. The real experience will lead to a vivid perspective about the language usage in a real life.

EFL/ESL Resources
  1. The educational resources and material
  2. The news and learn English - Reading, Writing, Listening & Speaking

  • Share:

You Might Also Like

0 comments