Language Training Center (LTC) in higher education needs to create effective and efficient programs. Moreover, the regulation is from Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education of the Republic of Indonesia (Penmenristekdikti) about permission to open a foreign university (PTA) which will be officially operated in 2019. The existence of LTC in state universities (PTN) or especially in private universities (PTS) is important to provide more effective and efficient foreign language learning.
The idea was expressed by the rector of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY), Dr. Ir. Gunawan Budiyanto, in the meeting of LTC inviting all Muhammadiyah Universities (PTM) in Indonesia held on Thursday in K.H. Mas Mansyur building, UMY. In the event planned to be held up to Saturday (3/2), Gunawan said that foreign language learning conducted in every level of education does not give influence yet to communication activities undertaken by learners.
“Foreign language learning is a learning program implemented in various levels of education from elementary school to college level. Although the results for academic purposes are quite good at every level of education, still many students do not actively communicate with foreign languages, especially in English. Because there is no courage to communicate in English, it is a duty of every LTC in higher education to create effective and efficient programs, “explained Gunawan.
Gunawan also stated that LTC needs to provide geniuses way for not only for undergraduate, graduate and so on, but also for rectors at universities (PT). “The result is not only for a good academic value, but students and lecturers have the courage to communicate well. Thus, both students and lecturers can perform in international events, “he added.
In line with the idea, Noor Qomaria Agustina, S.Pd., M.Hum, head of LTC UMY mentioned that current challenge of LTC is how students can have foreign language skills when graduating from university. When having a performance in work, students have competitiveness. However, it cannot be done in a short time and requires diligence and good service.
The meeting of LTC in Muhammadiyah higher education (PTM) event was attended by 11 PTM from 17 universities. The meeting is a follow-up of initiation in the establishment of Asoisiasi Institusi Layanan Bahasa Perguruan Tinggi for state and private universities in December 2017. In addition, the event is also to exchange experiences in forming standardization of LTC services, so that LTC can provide better services for students and academic community.
“We have applied several programs such as TOEFL in corporation with IEF and IELTS in corporation with British Consult. Besides, for the lecturers who will continue their doctoral program, we provide TOEFL program and IELTS preparation in corporation with UTS Insearch Gramedia intensively for 3 weeks to 2 months. This program is also to develop lecturers’ competition in applying for scholarship and acceptance from overseas university, “he concluded.
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