IALF Bali is currently involved in providing intensive English language training to several groups of students from Papua.

Preparation for Study Overseas
The Local Government of Jayapura (PKJ) in Papua Province has contracted IALF Bali to provide language training for 36 participants who have been selected by PKJ to study overseas at either undergraduate or postgraduate level. This is part of an initiative in Papua to improve general educational levels as part of human resource development in the province.

The 36 participants are currently attending 3 months of English language training. After this, a number will go directly overseas while the remainder will undertake further training in order to meet the required targets. The participants reflect a wide range of disciplines, and it is understood that Australia is the preferred study destination.

The Papuan Department of Education and Teaching (Dinas Pendidikan dan Pengajaran) is also funding language training for 32 selected participants: this will assist them in applying for scholarships to study overseas. Scholarship providers – Australian and Dutch scholarships are being targetted in the first instance - set minimum levels of language proficiency before applicants can be considered for an award. The 3 months of training at IALF will enable a significant number of participants to qualify in this respect, with follow up training being planned for the remainder.

English for High School Teachers

With a view to establishing an international-standard secondary school in Jayapura, the Government of Papua initiated a program of English language and teacher training for selected teachers, conducted in both Indonesia and in Australia. A group of science and maths teachers began 6 months of intensive English language upgrading at IALF, the main objective of which was for the participants to develop their communicative ability in English within the context of their professional responsibilities. This will be followed by several months

of teacher training in an Australian university before the teachers then take up their new teaching roles. WTA (Willi Toisuta and Associates) is coordinating the program on behalf of the provincial government.

Teaching Indonesian in New South Wales

IALF Bali teacher Juni Widaryanti has recently returned from a one- year posting as a teaching assistant for Indonesian, under an agreement between the New South Wales Department of Education and IALF.

Juni began her time in NSW at Bellingen High School where she taught both Year 7 and some small groups of Year 12 students. At the end of the second term there was an Indonesian cultural concert for students and parents. Juni taught the students Indonesian songs and dances as well as how to play the angklung – an Indonesian traditional instrument. They also experimented with the traditional Indonesian art form of wayang kulit, shadow puppets. The concert concluded with a traditional Indonesian meal of yellow rice cone with side dishes and spices.

During the second half of the year Juni was based at Macksville High. She again worked with Year 7 as well as Years 9, 10 and 12. At the end of term assembly a group of year 7 and 9 students performed tari pendet – a Balinese welcome dance - for the whole school, including the parents of the departing year 10 students.

On Indonesian Independence Day – 17 August – Juni accompanied 20 year 9 students to Sydney where they attended celebrations held at the residence of the Indonesian Consul. The students performed a poco-poco dance and enjoyed a wide variety of Indonesian food.

During her time in NSW Juni was also invited as a guest teacher to several schools, including Casuarina Primary, St Patrick’s Primary in Macksville, Coffs Harbour Christian Community, Toormina High School, Ulmarra Primary in Grafton, Scotts Head Primary and Kogarah High, Sydney. Juni found all the students to be very enthusiastic learners of both Indonesian language and culture.

Writing Skills Workshops

IALF Jakarta recently ran a program of one-day workshops on Writing for Specific Purposes for thirty staff of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) at the Australian Embassy, Jakarta.

As the participants already had advanced level English language proficiency the course focused on particular aspects of writing in the context of their work as Immigration officers, such as levels of formality and tone as well as accuracy in structure and vocabulary. Some of the training materials used were adapted from documents provided by DIAC and tasks included the writing of case notes and responding appropriately and accurately to applications and enquiries.

Scholarships in Surabaya

IALF continues to support the excellent scholarship scheme established by the Australian alumni association (IKAMA) in Surabaya. The IKAMA Surya Scholarship (ISS) scheme focuses on underprivileged students and looks to assist school students in meeting the cost of uniforms, shoes, books, stationery and, for some, transport. These costs often exceed school fees and are barriers to students continuing their schooling.

Alex Gough, Manager IALF Surabaya, attended the recent committee meeting and met with Juli Endah Lestari,
a recipient of one of ten IALF-sponsored ISS awards. Juli attends SDN Sidotopo Wetan III/257, Surabaya.

Indonesia Australia Language Foundation

IALF Language Centres in Indonesia: