On Indonesian Day, Indonesian Missions Provide NSW Australian Students with the Chance to Develop Their Indonesian Language Proficiency

 On Indonesian Day, Indonesian Missions Provide NSW Australian Students with the Chance to Develop Their Indonesian Language Proficiency

Tuesday, June 4th, 2024

                                        
                                                                         Source kemlu.go.id

In Australia's Sydney The Indonesian Day event was held at the NSW School of Languages in Petersham, NSW, on March 6, and about fifty students from different schools and regions in New South Wales (NSW) Australia attended, including Burwood Girls High School, St. Mary Star of the Sea College, Macarthur Anglican School, and NSW School of Languages.


One of the student participants exclaimed, "This event is a lot of fun!" The students engaged in a variety of learning exercises, including listening to alumni share their experiences and reading and writing skill suggestions, listening skill tips, and dictionary skill tips—particularly those addressed in the curriculum of the Indonesian Extension Course.

"Australia and Indonesia are close partners and very important to each other," stated Alexandra Lyons, an alumna of Macarthur Anglican School. Additionally, Alexandra stressed the value of this exercise in helping students comprehend the Extension Course and the advantages of learning Indonesian at the Extension Course level.

Dr. Siswo Pramono, the Indonesian ambassador to Australia, Vedi Kurnia Buana, the consul general of the Republic of Indonesia in Sydney, and Prof. Mukhamad Najib, the ambassador's attaché for education and culture in Canberra, all provided their full support to this endeavour. The Indonesian Ambassador explained the lengthy history and rich traditions of Australia National University, Investment of NSW, NSW Department of Education, and the students in attendance.

"The indigenous inhabitants of northern Australia shared a socioeconomic link with the Makassar and Bugis fishermen from Indonesia about 350 years ago. Language and cultural exchanges were added to the relationship, which was initially based on the trade in sea cucumbers, according to Ambassador Siswo.

Dr. Siswo Pramono added that Australia and Indonesia are commemorating 75 years of diplomatic ties this year. The 1968 Cultural Agreement, which supported the teaching of Indonesian in Australia and English in Indonesia as well as the advancement of knowledge about the histories, cultures, and way of life of both nations, is one of the cornerstones of this bilateral relationship. Ambassador Siswo also underlined the value of language acquisition as a means of bridging the gap to comprehend a nation's culture and way of life.

"Australia and Indonesia recognise that despite their close historical links, they still need to have a common knowledge of one another's languages. He asserted that language serves as a window into a person's culture and way of life.

Additionally, through inclusive dialogue and a sharing approach through language, the Indonesian Ambassador to Australia encouraged students from both countries who are millennials and Generation Z who will become future leaders to get ready to respond to future opportunities and challenges in the fields of economics, socioculture, and geopolitics, including Indonesia's increasing role and posture.

"To exposing kids to various cultures, especially a second language, will allow them to become more "sharing". Sharing will enable them to accommodate language and culture in addition to their own by allowing their identity greater room. Advocate Siswo stated that "sharing" with a positive outlook will increase their empathy and equip them with the necessary skills to have inclusive conversations.

"A peaceful transition of global change will be ensured by inclusive dialogue between millennials and Generation Z across civilizations, representing the best interests of humanity." The sustainability of young people's linguistic and cultural education is crucial for all future generations, Ambassador Siswo

 continued. 

Apart from studying Indonesian, the youngsters also showed great enthusiasm for playing traditional Indonesian activities like eating crackers and moving marbles with a spoon, which they learned from the workers of the Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney. Along with traditional Indonesian fare, the students and other attendees also savoured wrapped rice made from rendang and chicken marinated in Padang spices

The Australia Indonesia Business Council (AIBC), the Australia Indonesia Youth Association (AIYA), the NSW School of Languages, the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra, and the Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney came together to create Indonesian Day. This event's goals are to keep grade 11 students interested in learning Indonesian, to sustain that enthusiasm in grade 12 as Extension and Continuers students, and to raise the proportion of graduates with literacy in Indonesia among the working population.

The NSW School of Languages' Indonesian Day is a significant step towards enhancing the cultural and educational ties between Indonesia and Australia and piques the curiosity of the younger generation about studying Indonesian.

Source kemlu.go.id