English language education and educational policy in Indonesia and Timor-Leste

Abstract

Abstract This chapter examines English language education policies in Indonesia and Timor-Leste by paying particular attention to the linguistic ecologies of the two nations. The chapter argues that English continues to become a prestigious language in the linguistic ecologies of Indonesia and Timor-Leste. The chapter shows that the prestige of English has surpassed that of Indonesian in the nation’s dynamic and polycentric linguistic ecology, ‘superglossia’. Meanwhile, English is currently gaining ascendancy in terms of prestige, and will in some way compete with Portuguese in the near future to sit at the summit of the Timor-Leste linguistic hierarchy. The chapter further asserts that a comprehensive language education policy which caters for indigenous languages alongside English and national languages is required for both countries in order for them to be able to increase engagement with ASEAN member states.