Exclamatory Responses: Foreign Students Difficulties in Learning Indonesian (A Case Study at JIKS Jakarta)

Abstract

This study outlines the difficulties faced by foreign students, specifically Koreans, in learning Indonesian at the Jakarta International Korean School (JIKS). The difficulties are analyzed based on students' responses. Survey techniques with questionnaires and interviews were applied to explore their experiences in learning Indonesian. The objectives of this study are: 1) to identify the difficulties faced by foreign students in understanding and mastering Indonesian, and 2) to recommend several problem-solving solutions to enhance students' abilities in overcoming difficulties in learning Indonesian. The results of the study indicate that the learning difficulties in Indonesian for Korean students, particularly at JIKS, are predominantly due to external factors. The opportunities to practice Indonesian outside the classroom are very limited. Internal factors include the alignment of materials with learning needs, the students' varying abilities to absorb lessons, and the constant anxiety and lack of confidence in using Indonesian in front of others. The implications of this research will provide feedback for Indonesian language teachers who teach foreign students, particularly expatriate children from Korea.