English Language Teaching (ELT) In Indonesia: Facts, Problems, And Possible Solutions

Penulis/Peneliti : Dr. Y.M. Harsono

Bidang Penelitian : Pengajaran Bahasa Inggris/English Language Teaching

Jurnal : ENGLISH.EDU Journal

Volume : Volume 5/Number 2 • Juli 2006

Tahun : 2006

Abstract English has been decided to be the first foreign language in Indonesia. It has been used by most countries in the world either as first, second, or foreign language. It has been chosen as a language for wider communication in international forum. In Indonesia, it functions (1) to help the development of the state and nation, (2) to build relations with other nations, and (3) to run foreign policy. In relation to that ELT in Indonesia has been carried out as early as the Dutch period, before the World War II, starting to be taught in Junior High School called MULO (Meer Uitgebreid Lager Onderwijs) or extended elementary school. In the recent development of ELT in Indonesia, English has been taught in the elementary school as an elective subject since the implementation of the 1994 Curriculum. In the development of ELT in Indonesia, there are a lot of problems ranging from the context of learning, the objective of teaching, ELT in the primary school, the method of teaching, and logistic problems. Possible solutions are forwarded to solve the problems. Finally, it is suggested that to solve the overall problems of ELT in Indonesia the government think about the application of ELT in Indonesia as an optional subject.

Key Words: English, ELT in Indonesia, facts, problems, solution