According to a report from the Australian Consortium for In-Country Indonesian Studies (ACICIS), the number of universities in Australia still offering Indonesian language programs in 2023 had decreased to 13 institutions—significantly fewer than the approximately 22 campuses two decades earlier. In some regions, the continuation of this program was even once threatened when the University of Tasmania considered discontinuing Indonesian language instruction.
Responding to the ACICIS report, Lecturer in Indonesian Language and Literature at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB UGM), Wira Kurniawati, explained that the decline in interest in learning Indonesian is driven by a number of interconnected factors, both internal and external to Australia. In her view, geopolitical events between the two countries, such as the Bali bombings and the COVID-19 pandemic, have been among the triggers.
In addition, there are internal dynamics within Australia, such as political conditions, migration systems, and limited human resources proficient in Indonesian. “Many schools have begun to close Indonesian language classes following issues such as the Bali bombings and COVID-19. In Australia, there are also internal challenges such as political conditions, migration systems, and a limited number of human resources who master Indonesian,” she said on Monday, March 2.
Wira added that increased English proficiency among Indonesians also affects the urgency for Australians to learn Indonesian. “Not to mention, Indonesians are already proficient in English, so the urgency for them to learn Indonesian is not high,” she added.
According to her, there are several reasons why foreign students are interested in learning Indonesian, including economic opportunities, education, customs, and tourism. She noted that mastery of the Indonesian language opens opportunities for business cooperation and investment while expanding access to professional networks. The recognition of the Indonesian language at the United Nations General Assembly in 2023 has also increased its legitimacy and global appeal, particularly among those involved in education and research.
Moreover, the tourism sector plays a significant role, as Indonesia is a premier travel destination that motivates many visitors to learn the language to enrich their experience. “They are interested in going to Bali, so they flock to learn Indonesian,” Wira said.
According to Wira, several steps can be taken by the government and the Indonesian diaspora to increase interest in learning Indonesian abroad. These include sending language instructors abroad through the ministry to strengthen human resources for Indonesian language instruction, providing Darmasiswa scholarships and fellowships for foreign nationals, and supporting the role of Indonesian diplomatic missions abroad, such as the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) and Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in fostering relationships with diaspora communities.
However, she acknowledged that there seem to be internal limitations in Australia in supporting these efforts. “Previously, the Darmasiswa scholarships were quite numerous. But for some reason, now their number is small, and this has also affected the interest in learning Indonesian,” she added.
Wira also believes that culture and tourism offer the greatest potential that can continue to be developed by the government and the Indonesian people. She mentioned the richness of Indonesian customs, traditions, arts, and culinary heritage as having a strong appeal to foreigners, who may seek to learn the language as a gateway to understanding the culture more deeply.
On the other hand, Indonesia’s growing tourism sector provides opportunities for direct interactions between international visitors and local communities. These experiences often spark interest in learning Indonesian for both communication and appreciation of local culture. Therefore, optimizing the promotion of culture and tourism can become a sustainable strategy to expand global interest in the Indonesian language.
“Our culture and tourism are very diverse, so from there I think we can jointly build to enhance their potential,” she concluded.
Author: Zabrina Kumara
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Zahra
Photo: Courtesy of PR UGM