Information Note

Seminar on Building Awareness of Language Policies and Education in

Southeast Asia
16 November 2023

I. Background
Language plays important roles in all aspects of life. In education context, language is a
means for students to gain comprehension, do the tasks and solve problems in learning.
Thus, it is important to decide not only what language(s) taught as school subject but also
the language(s) used medium of instruction and of interaction between teacher and
students as well as among students. Language policy is, then, needed to ensure that the
language use and language learning are able to accomplish educational goals.

In a broader scope, language policy is also of significance for political and cultural aspects
in multilingual countries, like Southeast Asia region. This region is rich of languages, either
local languages, official languages or foreign languages. Each language, of course, has its
own functions and roles. Language policy does not entirely mean choosing which
language(s) as the national language(s), instead, considering the roles and functions of
each existed language. This requires thoughtful consideration from the government. Thus,
each country would have different language policy due to various factors or
argumentations.

Further, among other purposes, ASEAN community is expected to cultivate its collective
identity and strength to engage with the world, responding to new developments, and
seizing new opportunities. Regarding the collective identity, “ideal” ASEAN citizen might be
defined as the one who can speak one or more official/national languages in ASEAN
countries. Thus, in order to build ASEAM collective identity, each ASEAN country may
promote their young generations to learn and master official/national language(s) of its
neighbouring countries. Thailand, for example, promotes their students to learn Indonesian
language. However, not all countries in ASEAN implement similar policies regarding foreign
language education at schools.

To increase knowledge of language teachers, practitioners as well as policy makers

regarding language policy and language education scene in Southeast Asian region, SEAQIL
organised Webinar on Language Policy and Language Education in Southeast Asia on 10—
11 November 2020. Ten governing board members of SEAQIL from Brunei Darussalam,
Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste
and Vietnam were the speakers in this activity. They presented the language policy and
language education development in their respective countries.

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As a follow-up activity, SEAQIL conducted meta-analysis of the webinar results in April—
May 2021. Results of the meta-analysis will be the bases for mapping of language policy
and language education implementation in SEAMEO Member Countries. Regrettably,
information obtained from Webinar on Language Policy and Language Education in
Southeast Asia (which had been summarised in meta-analysis) is incomplete, particularly
information on the teaching of local language and the teaching of ASEAN countries’
official/national languages as foreign languages. Further, some information is not available,
particularly from Indonesia, Lao PDR, Singapore, and Timor-Leste.

Thus, SEAQIL initiated research entitled “Language Policy and Language Education in
Southeast Asia” to obtain in-depth information for the purpose of mapping the language
policy and education implementation in Southeast Asian countries, conducted in 2021—
2023. From the research, SEAQIL is not only going to explore language policy focusing on
top-down decision making, but also uncovering micro policy. Research results will be
written in form of policy briefs. The policy briefs can be used as a reference by the
government in improving policy implementation (pertinent to language) in their respective
countries.

In 2022, SEAQIL in collaboration with the Governing Board Member, the Embassies of the
Republic of Indonesia or SEAMEO Centres in SEAMEO Member Countries have collected
data using focused group discussion (FGD) technique and a set of questionnaires. The FGD
was conducted in two batches.

The 1st FGD was held on 6 June, 8 June and 24 August 2022. In the FGD, two
representatives nominated by the Governing Board Member, the Embassies of the Republic
of Indonesia and SEAMEO Centres became the resource persons and presented information
required by the research. The first resource persons shared information on:
A. the law regulating the local, official/national and foreign languages (also, brief
explanation on the government’s tendency towards the languages);
B. the roles and functions of the local, national/official and foreign languages;
C. the law regulating the teaching of local, official/national and foreign languages from
primary school to higher education; and
D. the law regulating the language of instruction used from primary school to higher
education.
The second resource persons, whilst, presented information on the education system
implemented in their respective countries. They also explained the scenario used in
distributing the questionnaire. They, then, assisted SEAQIL in distributing the questionnaire
to the target students after the 1st FGD.

The 2nd FGD was held on 2 and 26 September 2022. In the FD, the second resource persons
of the 1st FGD were invited to presented results obtained from the questionnaire. They also
submitted the collected data (the questionnaire results in English or Indonesian language)
to SEAQIL. The focus of the data gathered in the 2nd FGD was on the interests of secondary
school and higher education students in SEAMEO Member Countries in international,
foreign and ASEAN languages. Moreover, information on the use of local, national/official
and foreign languages in both education levels was also obtained.

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 In the early of 2023, SEAQIL conducted Consignment on Research Data Analysis on 15–17
May 2023. Taking the results of the event as a reference, SEAQIL continued by holding
Consignment on Article Finalisation on Research on Language Policy and Language
Education in Southeast Asia on 5–7 July 2023. The outcomes of the activity were four
articles to be published in credible and reputable journals. Further, SEAQIL conducted
Consignment on Development of Policy Brief on Research on Language Policy and
Language Education in Southeast Asia on 2–3 October 2023. From the consignment,
SEAQIL obtained two documents of policy briefs. One document will be proposed to the
Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia.
Another document will be directed at the Ministries of Education in 10 SEAMEO Member
Countries.

To disseminate the research results, SEAQIL is going to organise seminar entitled “Building
Awareness of Language Policies and Education in Southeast Asia” on 16 November 2023.
SEAQIL is going to collaborate with Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia in organising the
seminar. SEAQIL expects that the seminar participants will be able to broaden their
knowledge and deepen their understanding of language policy and education implemented
in the eleven countries on Southeast Asia.

II. Purpose of the Seminar

The seminar aims to disseminate results of research on language policy and language
education in Southeast Asia which has been done since 2021.

III. Time, Place and Mode

The seminar will be held in hybrid mode on 16 October 2023 in Universitas Pendidikan
Indonesia, Bandung, Indonesia.

IV. Resource Persons

Prior to the speakers’ presentation, there will be remarks from the high officials of
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, SEAMEO Secretariat and the Ministry of Education,
Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia. The following table depicts
the invited high officials.
No. Name Institution
1. Prof. Dr Tri Indri Hardini Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia
Dean of Faculty of Language
and Literature Education
2. Prof. Dr. M. Solehuddin Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia
Rector
3. Ms Pintip Iamnirath SEAMEO Secretariat
Deputy Director
(Administration and
Communication)
4. Dr Iwa Lukmana Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and
Head of the Center for Technology of the Republic of Indonesia
Language Strengthening and
Empowerment

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 SEAQIL and Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia will also invite the following speakers to be
the resource persons of the seminar.
No. Name Institution
1. Dr Iwa Lukmana Ministry of Education, Culture, Research,
and Technology of the Republic of
Indonesia
2. Assist. Prof. Nirada Chitrakara Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
3. Prof. Emi Emilia, PhD Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia

V. Participants
One hundred participants will attend the seminar online. There will also be 100 participants
attending the seminar onsite.

VI. Scenario of the Seminar

The seminar will be conducted based on the following scenario.
A. Pre-Activity
a. SEAQIL team sends policy briefs to the resource persons.
b. The resource persons prepare their presentation by referring to the issues and
recommendations discussed in the policy briefs.
c. The resource persons send their presentation slides to SEAQIL team by 14
November 2023.
B. Whilst Activity
a. SEAQIL Board of Directors launches the policy briefs.
b. The resource persons deliver their presentations.
c. The resource persons and participants discuss the issues presented in the seminar.

The following figure displays the scenario of the seminar.

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

•Policy briefs •The resource •Information

•The resource persons' on Language
persons' presentations Policies and
presentation •Discussion Education in
slides Southeast Asia

VII. Schedule of the Seminar

Time (GMT+7,
No. Activity Notes
Jakarta Time)
1. 08.00–08.30 Registration
2. 08.30–08.40 Opening Ceremony
- National Anthem of
Indonesia—Indonesia
Raya
- SEAMEO Colours

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 - March of Universitas
Pendidikan Indonesia
- SEAMEO Song
3. 08.40–08.50 Remarks by Dean of Prof. Dr Tri Indri Hardini
Faculty of Language and
Literature Education of
Universitas Pendidikan
Indonesia
4. 08.50–09.00 Remarks by Rector of Prof. Dr M. Solehuddin
Universitas Pendidikan
Indonesia
5. 09.00–09.10 Remarks by Deputy Ms Pintip Iamnirath
Director (Administration
and Communication) of
SEAMEO Secretariat
6. 09.10–09.20 Opening Remarks by Dr Iwa Lukmana
High Officials of the Head of the Center for
Ministry of Education, Language Strengthening and
Culture, Research, and Empowerment
Technology of the
Republic of Indonesia
7. 09.20–09.30 Launching of Policy Acting Director of SEAQIL, R.
Briefs based on Research Dian Dia-an Muniroh, PhD,
on Language Policy and provides explanation while slides
Language Education in of the policy briefs are being
Southeast Asia shared on the screen.
8. 09.30–09.40 Coffee Break
9. 09.40–11.40 Presentations of
Resource Persons:
- The Government’s - Dr Iwa Lukmana
Role on the
Improvement of the
Quality of Language
Education in
Indonesia
- The Opportunities of - Assist. Prof. Nirada
Thai Language Chitrakara
Teaching
- Results of Research - Prof. Emi Emilia, PhD
on Language Policy
and Language
Education in
Southeast Asia
10. 11.40–11.50 Closing Acting Director of SEAQIL

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VIII. Overview of Policy Brief Document
SEAQIL, in collaboration with Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, conducted research on
Language Policy and Language Education in the Southeast Asian Region from 2021 to
2023. One of the outputs of this research is presented in two policy briefs. The following
is an overview of the two policy briefs prepared.

A. Policy Brief Prepared for the Ministries of Education in Southeast Asia

This policy brief addresses the importance of language policies in each ASEAN country
concerning local, national, ASEAN, and foreign languages. Regarding foreign
languages, the research findings indicate that English dominates as the most studied
foreign language in ASEAN countries. Similarly, for national and local languages,
ASEAN countries also emphasize the continued teaching of these languages in
educational institutions. However, concerning ASEAN languages, no language policy
documents supporting the development of ASEAN languages in each country have
been identified. This is noteworthy, especially considering that questionnaire results
indicate that three ASEAN languages (Thai, Indonesian, and Malay) are favoured by
youth in ASEAN. Therefore, this policy brief provides several recommendations related
to foreign languages, local languages, national languages, and ASEAN languages to
create an ASEAN identity under the three main pillars of ASEAN: security, economic,
and socio-cultural.

B. Policy Brief Prepared for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and
Technology of the Republic of Indonesia
This policy brief discusses the potential development of the Indonesian language in
the Southeast Asian region. The research results indicate that the Indonesian language
is favoured for learning by ASEAN youth from ten countries. Among the ten ASEAN
countries, the Indonesian language is consistently listed as the preferred language to
be learned. However, based on an examination of language policy documents in the
ten ASEAN countries, the Indonesian language is not included as one of the ASEAN
languages studied at both formal and informal levels. Therefore, several
recommendations are formulated for the Indonesian government to enhance the role
of the Indonesian language in the Southeast Asian region.