DIAH MEISANI (UNIVERSITAS BRAWIJAYA)

NAVIGATING WAVES OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION POLICY IN INDONESIAN PRIMARY SCHOOLS: A REVIEW OF LITERATURE : LANGUAGE PLANNING AND LANGUAGE POLICY

This literature review explores the dynamic landscape of English language education policies in Indonesian primary schools, tracing the trajectory of policy evolution and its implications. It discusses how English's global importance has led to increased demand for language learning, especially among younger students, resulting in changes in policies over time. Drawing from an array of scholarly sources, including research articles, governmental decrees, and educational reports, this review chronicles Indonesia's journey from introducing English as an elective subject to its recent reinstatement as a compulsory component. It probes the socio-cultural factors and educational imperatives that have shaped these policy changes, analyzing their repercussions on curriculum development, teacher training, and language acquisition methodologies. The review underscores persistent challenges confronting Indonesian primary education, notably teacher shortages and the imperative for standardized curriculum implementation. It also examines the implications of these findings for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders in the realm of English language education. Key considerations include the need for uniform curriculum frameworks, comprehensive teacher training initiatives tailored to the needs of young language learners, exploration of innovative pedagogical approaches emphasizing communicative and student-centered methods, and a reaffirmation of bilingualism and global readiness through the reintegration of English as a core subject. Given the situation, recommendations for future studies could include further investigation into the long-term effects of policy shifts on language proficiency and academic outcomes, as well as exploration of innovative pedagogical strategies tailored to address specific challenges faced by Indonesian primary schools in English language education.

Diah R. Meisani, currently a Lecturer of English Language at the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, possesses a robust educational background, culminating in a Doctoral Degree in English Education. With extensive teaching experience across secondary and tertiary levels, Meisani has contributed to numerous publications and actively engages in reviewing for international journals.