The English Literature Study Program, Faculty of Adab and Cultural Sciences (FADIB), UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, strengthened its international academic network through a Guest Lecture held at the Faculty of Liberal Arts, Thammasat University, Tha Phra Chan Campus, Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday, September 3, 2025.

The Guest Lecture featured Indonesian for Foreign Speakers (BIPA) instruction combined with an introduction to Indonesian culture. Through an interactive and contextual approach, students at Thammasat University were invited to learn about the Indonesian language while exploring the cultural diversity of the Indonesian archipelago, including through traditional Indonesian cuisine.

Learning Indonesian Through Indonesian Culinary Heritage

The first session was led by Aninda Aji Siwi, S.Pd., M.Pd., who provided Indonesian language instruction to students at Thammasat University. The BIPA materials were presented interactively by integrating linguistic and cultural elements through an introduction to a variety of traditional Indonesian foods.

During the session, students were introduced to Indonesian vocabulary as well as information about several traditional Indonesian foods, including seblak crackers, jenang, bakpia, and various other Indonesian dishes. Students also had the opportunity to taste the foods being introduced firsthand.

This approach made BIPA learning about more than simply acquiring vocabulary. It also provided students with a direct experience of Indonesia's cultural diversity. Culinary traditions served as a medium for introducing the language while broadening students' understanding of the richness of Indonesian culture.

During the session, Agustina Lintang Wahyunintyas, a student in the English Literature Study Program at UIN Sunan Kalijaga, also served as a language buddy. Agustina accompanied the Thammasat University students throughout the learning process and helped them practice communicating in Indonesian.

The presence of a language buddy gave students the opportunity to interact directly and practice Indonesian in a more communicative and participatory learning environment.

Strengthening Indonesian Language Learning in an International Environment

Following the session with Aninda Aji Siwi, S.Pd., M.Pd., Indonesian language instruction was continued by Dr. Hammam Supriyadi from the Department of Asian Studies, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Thammasat University.

Through this Guest Lecture, Thammasat University students gained an Indonesian language learning experience that was not only focused on linguistic aspects but also integrated with an introduction to Indonesian culture. Interaction among the instructors, language buddy, and students created an active learning environment while providing opportunities to use the language in more authentic contexts.

For the English Literature Study Program at UIN Sunan Kalijaga, the activity was part of its efforts to strengthen international academic networks while introducing the Indonesian language and the cultural diversity of the Indonesian archipelago to the global academic community.

The integration of language and culinary traditions into BIPA instruction also demonstrates that language education can serve as a means of introducing Indonesia's cultural identity and heritage to the international community. Through activities such as this, academic collaboration between UIN Sunan Kalijaga and Thammasat University is expected to continue developing through various forms of educational collaboration and knowledge exchange. (ALW/URS/HFS)