MATA KULIAH BAHASA INDONESIA untuk PERGURUAN TINGGI, PERLUKAH?

Summary

The script discusses the necessity of teaching the Indonesian language at the university level, despite students having learned it for 12 years in earlier schooling. It explores legal reasons for its inclusion, as mandated by Indonesian law, and highlights ongoing challenges in students' mastery of the language, especially in formal writing. The video also mentions research findings that indicate frequent linguistic errors, even in higher education, emphasizing the importance of continuing Indonesian language education to foster scientific thought, logical writing, and academic communication.

Takeaways

• 📚 The necessity of Indonesian language courses in universities is debated, despite students having learned it for 12 years prior.
• 📖 Students in Indonesia typically study the Indonesian language from elementary through high school, covering approximately 24 semesters.
• 🧑‍🎓 Despite years of language education, many university students still struggle with proper Indonesian language usage, indicating a gap in learning effectiveness.
• 📜 Legal requirements mandate that universities teach the Indonesian language, as outlined in Indonesia's Law No. 24 of 2009.
• 🇮🇩 The law states that the Indonesian language is essential as a national identity, unifying tool, and official communication medium.
• 📝 Research shows that even graduate students often make fundamental language mistakes in their academic work, highlighting the need for continued language education.
• 📊 A study at Yogyakarta State University found an average of 247 language errors in each thesis written by Indonesian language and literature students.
• 🤔 One key issue is the misconception that students already know the language well, leading to a lack of seriousness in learning it.
• 👩‍🏫 The effectiveness of Indonesian language teaching is also hindered by unmotivated teachers who may lack passion or proper training in the subject.
• 🎓 Indonesian language courses at the university level aim to focus on scientific and academic writing, which requires a higher level of language proficiency.

Q & A

Why is the study of the Indonesian language necessary in higher education despite 12 years of prior learning?

The study of the Indonesian language is mandated by law (Law No. 24 of 2009) and is necessary because many students still exhibit language errors, such as incorrect grammar, spelling, and diction, despite having studied the language for 12 years.

What is the main legal basis for teaching the Indonesian language at universities?

The main legal basis is Law No. 24 of 2009, which mandates the teaching of the Indonesian language in universities to ensure it functions as a national identity, a symbol of unity, and a medium of communication, culture, science, and technology.

What are some common language issues students face despite 12 years of learning Indonesian?

Students often struggle with basic aspects like spelling, grammar, punctuation, and word choice (diction). These issues have been found even in the work of undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students.

What examples are provided to show that students still struggle with the Indonesian language?

Research at Yogyakarta State University found an average of 247 spelling mistakes per thesis written by students in the Indonesian Language and Literature program. Additionally, a study at Malang State University showed various errors in spelling, word usage, and punctuation in graduate theses.

How does the misconception that Indonesian is easy affect students’ language proficiency?

Many students assume they are already proficient in Indonesian since it is their mother tongue. This overconfidence leads to a lack of seriousness in studying the language, contributing to persistent language mistakes.

What might be the reasons for inadequate language proficiency among university students?

Three main factors contribute: (1) students’ overconfidence in their language abilities, (2) a tendency to undervalue Indonesian language lessons during secondary education, and (3) insufficient teaching methods or lack of expertise from language teachers at the lower education levels.

Why is Indonesian language learning in higher education referred to as being in the '25th semester'?

This is a metaphorical way of saying that students have been learning the Indonesian language for 24 semesters (12 years of schooling) before entering university, making university-level language study their '25th semester.'

What is the focus of Indonesian language education at the university level?

At the university level, Indonesian language education focuses on scientific writing, logical and systematic thinking, and using the language to express academic ideas. It is no longer about basic skills like spelling or grammar but about mastering the language for academic purposes.

What are some challenges faced by Indonesian language teachers in schools that might impact student learning?

Some teachers may lack sufficient mastery of teaching methods or may not have a strong background or passion for teaching the Indonesian language. This can lead to ineffective instruction, contributing to students' poor language skills.

Why is it important for students to master the Indonesian language for scientific writing?

Mastering the language is crucial for students to communicate academic ideas clearly and effectively in scientific contexts. Poor language skills can undermine the quality of otherwise strong research work due to issues with grammar, spelling, and clarity.