JEDDAH, 29 January 2007 — The Indonesian Consulate is aiming at bridging the communication gap between the nearly one million citizens living in the Kingdom and their Saudi employers by holding free language courses. Saudis welcomed the move and large numbers have started enrolling to learn Bahasa Indonesia, the official language of the archipelago.
“One major problem facing Indonesian workers and their Saudi employers is the language barrier,” said a Saudi mother. “Very few Indonesians speak English and nearly all Saudis lack any knowledge of the Indonesian language.”
She said that the course should help her communicate better with her Indonesian housekeeper and gain a better understanding of her as a person. “It has made me seriously think of visiting Indonesia empowered with the basics I learn here,” she added.
Over 90 percent of Indonesian migrants in the Kingdom are women domestic workers, according to embassy sources.
The courses, said officials, are expected to have a positive impact on promoting tourism in Indonesia. Lately there has been an increase in the number of Saudis choosing Indonesia as a holiday destination.
The long and strong relationship between the two countries inspired the idea of the courses. As well as bridging the gap, the courses should also raise the awareness of Indonesian culture and customs among the Saudi people, said Yusuf Suryanegara, information consul at the Indonesian Consulate.
The three-monthlong courses are scheduled to start on Feb. 18 and are provided free of charge, consulate officials said. The courses are going to be for both men and women. “There is a class for females and is taught by a woman teacher,” said an official.
This is the second course of its kind conducted by the consulate in Jeddah. The first course was held in mid-2006 and 79 students attended (42 for level one and 37 for level two), Suryanegara said.
Similar to last year’s courses, two levels will be held this time. The student who successfully finishes a level will receive a certificate and move on to the next level.
“The students that finished the first level last year will be given priority in the second level classes this year,” said Suryanegara. The consulate started accepting applications yesterday, and will continue to do so from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during weekdays until Feb. 14.
