Sulinama Foundation Equip to Change Ambon-Malay based ... Tjia_Tara Huberty... · Ambon-Malay based Early Childhood Education Towards mother-tongue based multilingual education: A

Ambon-Malay based Early Childhood Education

Towards mother-tongue based multilingual education: A progress report from Maluku

4th International Language and Education Conference Bangkok, 6-8 November, 2013

Sulinama Foundation Equip to Change

Presentation Overview Language of education in Indonesia Best practices for mother tongue based

multilingual education (MTB-MLE) How these best practices are being

implemented in the Maluku context Impact of the PAUD-B2S program Challenges


Language of Education in Indonesia Indonesian is the only language used as the medium of instruction in education.

However… Only 10% of Indonesians speak Indonesian as a

first language There are over 700 native languages in

Indonesia The farther away one lives from urban areas, the

less Indonesian is used. Usually, children in Maluku only understand

Indonesian passively, if they understand it at all.


Preschool education in Indonesia

• Preschool education includes classes from age 3-6 years old.

• The program for age 5-6 years old is more educationally intensive.


3-5 years old

3 days a week

2 hours each class

5-6 years old

6 days a week

2 hours each class

Preschool education in Indonesia

• Many new preschools have recently opened • Still 37% of children without access to

pre-primary school education • Government provides objectives only • Two views of preschool we face :

– Often preschools are seen as a way to “jump start” education and second language learning

– Some parents feel preschool is just a time to play


A strong preschool foundation prepares students for success in

formal education.


But what is the best way to help ethnolinguistic

minorities achieve this?

A strong preschool curriculum is based on…

• Child development levels • Learning through play • Student-focused learning • Holistic education • Multiple Intelligences • Culturally appropriate activities • Constructivism approach • Communicative language teaching • The language learners know best


THE BENEFIT OF STRONG MOTHER TONGUE BASED MULTILINGUAL EDUCATION


ONE CHALLENGE OF NOT USING THE MOTHER TONGUE

Taken from UNESCO : Mother tongue Dilemma


The Initial Survey of Education Stakeholders Concluded:

Ambonese Malay is very widely used and highly valued and a strong desire to use Ambonese Malay in education is present.


Beginning Stages 10 Preschools


Sulinama supports partnered preschools with…

Complete curriculum Pre-service teacher training Regular in-service teacher training Ongoing monitoring and evaluating Parent support and involvement Extra student activities to encourage

mother-tongue use



Upgrade 2012

More theme-based activities New children’s stories Letter books and posters Pre-reading and pre-writing steps

for early learners (3-5 years old) Extra literacy lessons (Buku

Hijau) for 5-6 year olds



Serving a Wider Community

Now a total of 35 preschools and 5 other non-profit organizations are partnered with Sulinama in

Ambon and surrounding islands.

IMPACT on TEACHERS and MANAGERS

Our teachers are more self-confident and enthusiastic in their teaching because their teaching skills have improved.

Our preschool managers are better equipped to lead and manage their preschools.


IMPACT The feedback we have received from both primary school teachers and parents is that compared to classmates our former students are…

more engaged in the learning process learn new concepts more quickly

understand the lessons better and are more self-confident.

Based on Grade One class reports, our former students almost always receive scores above the class average and required passing scores.


Mitra dalam Pengembangan Berbasis Bahasa Partners in Language Based Development

CHALLENGES Codeswitching (teachers and students) Geography Parents’ perceptions regarding the

mother tongue Primary school language requirements Extended funding Teachers’ educational background


Sulinama Foundation’s motto is: Equip to Change

Sulinama strives to equip Ambonese-Malay speaking preschoolers in Maluku with

holistic education that will affect change, bringing about a more successful

generation.


For further information, please contact:

Yayasan Sulinama Jalan Batu Kerbau No 75B

Ambon, Maluku 97125 INDONESIA

Ph. (021) 758 16425 Fax. (021) 750 5205

Email: [email protected]


Sulinama Foundation Equip to Change Ambon-Malay based ... Tjia_Tara Huberty... · Ambon-Malay based Early Childhood Education Towards mother-tongue based multilingual education: A

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