The event, attended by 2,544 participants both online and in person, featured Hywel Coleman, Ph.D., a senior researcher in education and language policy. The lecture provided a forum for students to reflect on how technological development and changing communication habits should be balanced with strong reading, writing, and language skills.

The topic is increasingly relevant as language serves not only as a means of communication, but also as an important part of knowledge, education, and social identity. Through the event, students, including international students at ITB, were encouraged to better understand the role of Indonesian while also recognizing the importance of preserving regional languages as part of Indonesia’s cultural diversity.

The event was opened by the Coordinator of the Indonesian Language Course at ITB, Dr. Tri Sulistyaningtyas, M.Hum., and the Head of ITB’s Preparatory Education Subdirectorate, Dr. Anton Timur Jaelani, M.Si., Ph.D.

In his presentation, Coleman explained that language continuously develops through reading and writing. This evolution can be seen in the emergence of new vocabulary adopted from both foreign and regional languages.

Amid the increasing use of AI-generated writing, he emphasized the importance of students continuing to develop their own reading and writing abilities. These skills are not only related to proper language use, but also to the ability to think independently and communicate ideas effectively.

The lecture continued with an open question-and-answer and discussion session involving students attending both in person and via Zoom. Coleman encouraged participants not only to ask questions, but also to share their own views on language use and development.

The discussion also highlighted Indonesia’s linguistic diversity. Students were encouraged to see regional languages as a cultural asset that should be studied and preserved alongside the use of Indonesian as the national language.

At the end of the lecture, Coleman illustrated the relationship between foreign languages, Indonesian, and regional languages through an analogy of “large and small dragons.” In the analogy, foreign languages were described as a large dragon that may exert pressure on Indonesian, while Indonesian itself may, in turn, increasingly dominate regional languages.

The analogy illustrated the challenge of maintaining balance among languages. According to Coleman, each language should have the opportunity to develop and be used according to its own function and unique characteristics.

The Importance of Indonesian Language Courses at ITB

As ITB continues to expand its international programs and welcome students from various countries, Indonesian language learning has become increasingly important. The Indonesian Language course at ITB was developed from the Scientific Writing course, with a broader scope that enables students to understand not only academic language use but also its application in everyday life.

International students are also encouraged to use Indonesian in their daily activities while studying at ITB. This initiative has received a positive response from international students, many of whom have shown interest in learning the language further.

Through Indonesian language courses and discussion forums such as this public lecture, ITB seeks to strengthen awareness that language proficiency goes beyond using correct grammar and vocabulary. Language also serves as a means of developing knowledge, maintaining identity, and preserving Indonesia’s cultural diversity.

Reporter: Kayla Annisa Erian (Environmental Infrastructure Engineering, 2023)