Indonesian Language Taught in 45 Countries

Solo, C Java - Some 45 countries have started providing Indonesian language courses in a number of their schools, according to an expert. "As many as 500 schools provide Indonesian language courses in Australia, which means that the language will play an increasingly important role in international communication," said Handayani, an Indonesian language expert from Sebelas Maret Surakarta University, here on Monday. She noted that a lot of colleges in ASEAN countries have started providing Indonesian language courses. "A college in Philippines offers an Indonesian language course, and so does one in England," Handayani stated. "However, given Indonesia's global standing now, it is not astonishing that many people have started learning Bahasa Indonesia," she said. Handayani expressed hope that the Indonesian language would soon become an international language. "The rising popularity of a country's language can help boost its standing in the global community. Thus, if a language of one country is being learned by more and more people across the world, the country is becoming increasingly powerful," she pointed out. "Language is not just knowledge; it is a communication tool," Handayani added. (*)