The story of Watie, an Unnes lecturer who teaches American students to speak Indonesian

Jakarta –

Nowadays, many people all over the world are starting to show interest in learning Indonesian language. It was done by several students from Semarang State University (Unnes), a lecturer at Yale University in the United States.

The woman, whose full name is Watie Istandi, had the opportunity to teach Indonesian to students at Yale University as she was a guest lecturer on campus. Yati is teaching Indonesian language there for one week, from October 8-15 2023.

As reported on the Unnes website, Unnes, an Indonesian Language and Literature Education Research Program Lecturer in the Faculty of Language and Arts, did not come to Yale University solely to teach Indonesian. He is also tasked with introducing Indonesian culture to global citizens.

Watty was able to take advantage of this opportunity because of his collaboration with the Confederation of Indonesian Teaching (COTI). As such, he is tasked with introducing Indonesian language and culture, especially cuisine, to students there.

Not only Watty, but many UNNES lecturers have contributed to the development of science on the international stage. This is part of Unnas’s contribution to academic activities at top campuses in various countries.

Yati is also part of the Association of Indonesian Language Teachers for Foreign Speakers (BIPA). This year he was fortunate to have the opportunity to teach at a campus ranked 18th best in the world according to the QS 100 WCU.

Research Indonesian language and culture in America

Watty’s choice of the country as a teaching location coincides with two of his collaborative courses, namely “Mapping the Characteristics of BIPA Learners Based on Educational and Cultural Background in the Americas” and “Creating a BIPA Digital Dictionary with Central Javanese Culinary Content as an Introduction to Local Food Culture for American Students”.

Wati said that the Indonesian language introduction program is expected to make a positive contribution to the realization of cultural diplomacy to other countries.

He added that these efforts could improve the status of the Indonesian language on the world stage.

“This activity may be a form of implementing the decree of Law No. 24 of 2009, especially in increasing the status of the Indonesian language as an international language,” he said, as quoted from the Unnes website on Friday (13/10/2023).

Wattie’s introduction to Indonesian language activity was successful in garnering praise from two students who participated in the BIPA class, Karina Herrera and Tate Evans. Both students were happy to learn Indonesian and were eager to come to Indonesia to taste Indonesian cuisine.

Dean of FBS Unnes, Dr. Tammy Uniawan, M.Hum, believes that the BIPA class that includes Watie will support positive activities for lecturers. According to him, the project can increase cooperation between domestic and foreign companies.

Watch the video “Beginning: Unscrupulous UIN Lampung lecturers investigated for playing with their female students.“

(cyu/faz)