English is a lingua franca. It means that this language is accepted as the language of the world. We can see enough examples that without knowing English in this day and age we will be left behind academically or economically. People in many countries are racing to become an English speaker so they can have decent education, comfortable job, and better food to serve at home.
The process of learning English in Indonesia is a bit complicated. We have learned English since elementary school, but the result was far down still inadequate. In 2010, people have started to know a specific place which could give a short and affordable English course with a very unique environment that made the immersion in learning even greater. This place is located in East Java named Pare, one of small districts in Kediri regency or now it is known as Kampung Inggris Pare. Pare was actually a mere village with a handful of English courses at its first establishment in1980s by Mr. Kalend, the founder of BEC Pare.
As time goes by, many people visit pare to hone their English ability. They come from many parts of Indonesia even foreigners from South East Asia such as Thailand, Malaysia, Philippine’s and also from Africa such as Libya. The system of learning in Pare is one of its kind and rather hard to be adopted and applied in other places outside Pare. The system has been existed for quite a while until some of the owners of English Courses try their new ways to teach English to students.
No one was quite sure what kind of measurement to take when it came to identify a good course at first, but time sure reveals many things. English courses are categorized as good if they have: 1) Operational permission from government. 2) A standardized curriculum for teaching. 3) Certified teacher/trained teacher. 4) Wide choices of programs. 5) Focus learning program 6) facilities for teaching 7) a good portfolio. Failing to fulfill the requirement would result in banning.
The standardization of the courses is definitely crucial as it could give a significant impact to both the students and owners. Different methods in teaching are always accepted as long as it offered what it promised to the students, but in some cases several courses made empty promises by advertising something they never do moreover they let down the customer by inadequate facilities such as camp, module and teachers.
This act of scam has been happening for a while in Kampung Inggris Pare and someone must put a stop to this. The diverse effect of this trend will give Pare a bad name for sure if it were let to keep happening. People will think twice to come here to study because they are afraid of being deceived for their money. So firstly, a committee needs to watch and make a standard for erecting a course for at least its basic requirement such as a proper building with a standard facility inside. Secondly, a new course must have a properly made curriculum and syllabus so students can actually check what they will learn if they take that program. Thirdly, good teachers are simply irreplaceable and they need to receive training for at least six months before teaching. Lastly, price should not be too cheap or expensive for a basic program in case of monopoly.
Bringing standardization to pare will definitely give a good feedback from a customer and this act should be maintained as a plan never goes exactly as planned before.
-Wega-
Wega_Wisnu 