UNS — Bahasa Indonesia for Foreign Speaker or BIPA is a learning program for Bahasa Indonesia skills that cover speaking, writing, reading, and listening provided for foreign speakers. A discussion stated that BIPA could also improve Bahasa Indonesia usage as an international language. To discuss this news further, uns.ac.id interviews UNS language expert, Dr. Dra. Raheni Suhita, M.Hum.
Dr. Raheni confirmed that BIPA has the opportunity to make Bahasa Indonesia an international language. “Currently, many countries are attracted to include Bahasa Indonesia as course and course material. Meaning that more foreign students are interested in studying Bahasa Indonesia,” Dr. Raheni stated on Tuesday (22/2/2022).
Dr. Raheni added that BIPA introduces Indonesia’s language and culture to foreign speakers from various countries on five continents. She added that the increase in people studying the culture and language would make more people know, learn, and understand by speakers from various countries. “The wider the spread of Bahasa Indonesia, then the quicker it is becoming an international language,” she continued.
There is also high reported enthusiasm from international students to study Bahasa Indonesia. “Since 2015, I taught Bahasa Indonesia for foreign students who will study in Indonesia. They were highly enthusiastic about learning Bahasa Indonesia. They asked questions, were serious about working on their homework, and participated in the discussion. They were happy to get suggestions and try to improve their drawback,” Dr. Raheni explained.
Lastly, Dr. Raheni hoped that BIPA administration could be improved in terms of materials, media, model, and other components. Therefore, BIPA will attract more people, and the vision to make Bahasa Indonesia an international language could be achieved. Humas UNS
Reporter: Lina Khoirun Nisa
Editor: Dwi Hastuti