Indonesian Language for Foreign Speakers (BIPA)
Indonesian language learning for tourists/foreign speakers, ranging from everyday conversational language to formal language for business.
About BIPA
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The teaching of Indonesian Language for Foreign Speakers (BIPA) plays a very important and strategic role in introducing Indonesia to the international community. In addition to being a medium for promoting the Indonesian language, BIPA teaching also serves as a platform for conveying various information about Indonesia, including introducing its people, local wisdom, and culture. It is hoped that learners of the Indonesian language and culture from various countries will gain a more comprehensive understanding of Indonesian society and culture, thereby fostering mutual understanding, respect, tolerance, friendship, and cooperation among nations.
Language and culture as a form of “soft power” through BIPA teaching are expected to enhance Indonesia’s success in diplomacy and international relations. Therefore, BIPA teaching should be seen as an integral part of cultural diplomacy strategies. The success of this diplomatic strategy through a cultural approach depends on the language and cultural teaching curriculum implemented and the creative and productive institutional culture developed by the BIPA teaching institutions.
The BIPA program at The Language Academic Support Unit of the University of Mataram provides Indonesian language teaching services for foreigners. The BIPA teaching program consists of six (6) levels (Level 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6).
The goal of the BIPA program is to provide broader access to Indonesian language learning for the community and to produce graduates proficient in the Indonesian language to meet societal needs.
In general, the BIPA learning program at The Language Academic Support Unit of the University of Mataram includes Indonesian language skills (Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing), Indonesian Arts and Culture, and the Educational System in Indonesia.
The target achievements of the BIPA program at The Language Academic Support Unit are:
- BIPA program students acquire skills in the Indonesian language (Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing).
- BIPA program students are able to use the Indonesian language in both academic and non-academic activities.
- BIPA program students understand Indonesian culture.
- BIPA program students can interact with the local community.
- BIPA program students understand the educational system in Indonesia.
- BIPA program students actively participate in educational activities in Indonesia.
In implementing the learning program, the BIPA at The Language Academic Support Unit of the University of Mataram offers six levels, with the competencies achieved at each level of the BIPA program being as follows:
Level 1: BIPA students are able to use the Indonesian language for everyday communication in various social contexts, both spoken and written.
Level 2: BIPA students are able to use the Indonesian language for communication related to simple academic tasks, describe their personal and family background in a basic manner, and understand sentences and expressions commonly used in daily interactions.
Level 3: BIPA students can use the Indonesian language in various social contexts, narrate personal experiences, and produce simple texts related to everyday topics.
Level 4: BIPA students can use the Indonesian language in social and academic interactions, both spoken and written, with a good level of fluency.
Level 5: BIPA students are able to use the Indonesian language effectively in social, academic, and professional contexts, understand longer texts and recognize implied meanings, and use Indonesian expressions accurately.
Level 6: BIPA students are capable of using the Indonesian language effectively, both spoken and written, in social, academic, and professional contexts, can easily understand texts, and can summarize information from oral and written sources.
Details of BIPA
Levels 1 and 2:
- Understanding various formal and informal conversations according to the context, such as introducing oneself, introducing others, and asking for directions.
- Recounting experiences using formal and informal conversations appropriate to the situation. For example, ordering food, bargaining, inviting, declining, accepting, and making phone calls.
- Reading texts that are informative and have a simple structure. For example, forms, invitations, announcements, traffic signs, advertisements, and recipes.
- Writing personal letters (informal) and narrative texts (formal), such as guidelines for letter writing, address formatting, and narrative writing conventions.
- Writing personal letters (informal) and narrative texts (formal). For example, guidelines for writing letters, addressing letters, and writing narratives.
- Adapting to common verbal and non-verbal customs and traditions in Indonesia.
Levels 3 and 4:
- Understanding various formal and informal conversations according to the context, such as introducing oneself, introducing others, and asking for directions.
- Recounting experiences using formal and informal conversations appropriate to the situation. For example, ordering food, bargaining, inviting, declining, accepting, and making phone calls.
- Reading texts that are informative and have a simple structure. For example, forms, invitations, announcements, traffic signs, advertisements, and recipes.
- Writing personal letters (informal) and narrative texts (formal). For example, guidelines for writing letters, addressing letters, and writing narratives.
- Adapting to common verbal and non-verbal customs and traditions in Indonesia.
Levels 5 and 6:
- Listening to argumentative texts such as TVRI reviews, RRI, interviews, lectures, TV and radio talks, and then retelling them.
- Discussing current topics/seminars in formal situations, such as preparing argumentative scripts or essays for presentation and debate, as well as listening to lectures and asking questions.
- Reading various types of complex texts, such as advertisements with metaphorical meanings, news reports, essays, literary works, speeches, and writings in regional and national magazines or newspapers.
- Writing more complex and scientific essays, such as reviews, reports, scientific papers, summaries, opinions, and complete compositions on various topics, as well as understanding the purpose of scientific writing, essay outlines, bibliographies, and citations.
- Reviewing various aspects of life in Indonesia, such as listening to cultural lectures and preparing reports containing opinions.
BIPA Program Activities
Classroom Activities
The regular class program activities focus on teaching Indonesian language skills, which include reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Additionally, students are instructed in understanding the structure of the Indonesian language. The learning materials are differentiated based on themes that integrate language skills with Indonesian culture intended for BIPA students. Classroom activities are conducted by instructors/mentors, while in the afternoons, students engage in activities outside the classroom with tutors.
Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities serve to reinforce and deepen the material that has been discussed in class. For instance, BIPA students conduct interviews with Indonesian students to enhance their speaking skills. Furthermore, these activities are designed to provide contextual learning experiences; for example, students are taken to traditional markets to shop directly while using the Indonesian language. Such activities enrich students’ knowledge of various vocabulary related to vegetables and cooking ingredients found in Indonesia.
Cultural and Social Class
The cultural and social class aims to introduce the diverse cultures of Indonesia, with a focus on the local cultures and traditions found in Lombok Island.
Field Trips
This activity is intended to showcase the natural beauty and tourist attractions available in Indonesia, particularly in the city of Lombok. BIPA students are taken to visit sites such as Taman Gunung Rinjani, Pantai Kuta Mandalika, Pantai Tanjung Aan, among others. During these excursions, students are encouraged to interact with local residents or native Indonesian visitors to enhance their proficiency in spoken Indonesian. Subsequently, students are expected to recount their experiences, both orally and in writing, during class sessions.
