Menteri Pendidikan Nasional Mohammad Nuh membuka Seminar bertema “Meningkatkan Peranan Bahasa Indonesia/Melayu dalam Penguatan Jati Diri Bangsa” tersebut hari ini (22/03). Dalam sambutan singkatnya Mendiknas mengemukakan, bahasa adalah kekayaan luar biasa, yang bisa digunakan sebagai alat komunikasi dan di dalamnya ada cerminan karakter bangsa. “Seminar ini adalah bagian untuk mempertahankan bahasa dan budaya agar tidak masuk pada wilayah keajalan (kemusnahan),” katanya.

Kepala Badan Pengembangan dan Pembinaan Bahasa Agus Dharma mengatakan, ada kekhawatiran Bahasa Indonesia akan menghilang di tengah maraknya pengaruh penggunaan bahasa daerah dan bahasa asing. “Kami khawatir jika tidak segera dikaji, dan dicari sumber-sumber untuk memperkaya kosakata, Bahasa Indonesia akan terpental,” katanya saat bertemu wartawan seusai acara pembukaan.

Penekanan tema seminar pada jati diri bangsa dimaksudkan untuk mencari upaya meningkatkan peranan bahasa Indonesia/Melayu dalam upaya memperkukuh jati diri bangsa. Jika tidak ditangani secara baik, jati diri bangsa akan bergeser dari akar budaya bangsa. Karakter bangsa dapat diwujudkan oleh cara berbahasa.

Dalam kesempatan tersebut Agus juga menghimbau kepada para pejabat, petinggi negara dan tokoh masyarakat agar mengurangi atau bahkan menghilangkan sama sekali kebiasaan menggunakan bahasa asing dalam berbagai kesempatan. Karena dari segi ekonomi bahasa itu sama sekali tidak menguntungkan. “Kalau kita berbahasa Indonesia yang benar dan rapi, mencerminkan pikiran yang jernih. Kalau dicampur, ditekankan pun tidak menekankan, jadi untuk apa?,” katanya.

Seminar ini diikuti 200 peserta yang terdiri atas guru, dosen, mahasiswa, peneliti, pakar bahasa, pakar bidang ilmu, peminat bahasa, dan aparat pemerintah. Adapun pemakalah yang akan tampil berasal dari Indonesia, Brunai Darussalam, dan Malaysia. (aline)

www.kemdiknas.go.id

In addition, 2010 training experiences have brought us new ideas and development for our current programs and materials. Therefore, in 2011 we proudly announce our latest development and programs.

Flash English never stop the efforts to improve services and nothing but the clients’ satisfaction and achievement are our motivations. Currently, we have designed Teacher Trainings for all subjects at school beside our current innovative programs for Science, Physics and Math Teachers. Our programs are meant to help teachers to be able to deliver their subjects in English. These subjects are Social Science/Study, Art, Physical Education, Counseling and First School ( 1st and 2nd grades).

Moreover, we have designed programs dedicated for students of elementary and junior high schools that will help their English knowledge in Science. This program is called “Science is Fun”, along with the tittle this program is easy to understand for the students and fun learning is one of the key of successful. Students will recognize and develop their English vocabulary in an area which is very familiar with their studies at school, science. International Standard oriented schools can take this program to support their students toward the preparation for being International Schools.

If you are curious about this program please contact us.

Flash English is having Christmas and New year holidays. Start from December 24 201o until January 3 2011. We wish you merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

We would like to congrats for all teachers of Yayasan Pendidikan Prima Swarga Bara (YPPSB) who have been successfully completed the Teaching Performance Training with Flash English.

The Special Training held by YPPSB in corporate with Flash English are aimed to help the Teachers of YPPSB to be able to deliver their lessons in English. According to the Management of YPPSB, the Training was a successful.

Nonetheless, we also would like to thank for the warm welcome and beneficial cooperation to all headmasters of Prima Schools, Mr. Drs. Wariadi, M.Pd (SD Prima School 1), Mr. Agus Yaya Rukmaya (SD Prima School 2), Mrs. Ani Purwati (SD Prima School 3) and Mr. Widigdo (SMP Prima School) and to the Management of YPPSB, Mrs. Ria Marwoto, Mr. Drs. Maman Haeruman, Mr. Wiyono and Mr. Tri Purnomo and all participating parties.

We thank Prima School for the trust they have given us in this opportunity. We hope this relationship will continue to grow stronger in the future.

Water issues, rising temperatures and the lost beauty of nature ravaged by humans were some of the themes at a film competition hosted Wednesday at the Salihara community center in South Jakarta.

The final round of the competition, featuring short films by high school students, saw five works selected out of seven.

The five included Reuse Gray Water by Cornelia Stacy Gabriela from Saint Laurensia High School in Tangerang, and Nature’s Memory by Ariel Ezra Bezaliel and Kevin Johanes from Dian Harapan High School, Tangerang.

The other three were Hope by Khosyi Yoga Pratama and Adriel Andriawan from Sinar Mas Academy, Tangerang; What About a Global Change by Shadia Pradsmadji and Pradnya Padminiamaitri from PSKD Mandiri High School, Jakarta; and It’s Our World by Nurdada Hajatulail and Zulfi Prayogo from State High School No. 2, Depok.

Renowned movie director Jay Subiakto, serving as a member of the jury, said he was impressed at the level of concern for the environment exhibited by young people.

“I expected they’d show unusual things from their surroundings, for instance by making a film on life in a traditional market where traders still wrap goods in leaves,” he said.

“By taking a closer look at their surrounding, I’m sure they can generate new ideas and be creative.”

The short films were judged on idea and plot, implementation of the idea, picture quality, editing, and musical score.

“Their techniques are OK, and with more practice they’ll be able to fulfill their potential,” Jay said.

Also judging the competition were The Jakarta Post editor-in-chief Endy M. Bayuni, Sanchi Davis from the Australian Embassy, Mariza Hamid from the Visi Anak Bangsa Foundation, and Dicky Edwin Hindarto from the National Council on Climate Change.

The films can be viewed at the Facebook Study in Australia Indonesia. Viewers may vote for their favorite film through the website of by sending a text message to +62-813-9862 1154, open until Friday.

The announcement of the winners will take place on Feb. 27.

The winner will win a five-day trip to visit universities in Perth, Australia, and view several projects to mitigate climate change impacts.

Australian trade commissioner Patrick Kearins said the competition was held to raise awareness about global warming among youths.

Eighty-eight short films on climate change were sent by high school students across Greater Jakarta. The first stage of the selection process was held by the Indonesian Nobel Foundation between Feb. 17 and 23.

The competition is organized by the Australian Embassy, Climate Project Indonesia, the Indonesian Nobel Foundation, and Perth Education City.

The Jakarta Post

A student plays near the Obama statue placed at Besuki 01 Elementary School in Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday. For the upcoming visit of US President Barack Obama in March, the former school of the president is preparing art performances to welcome the president. JP/J. Adiguna

The Jakarta Post