Seeing English in Asia from Multicultural Language and Intercultural Literacy Perspectives: Indonesian Perspectives

Abstract

The majority of Asian countries nowadays recognize English as an indispensable language not only forintranational as well as international communication, they are increasingly committed to strengthening andimproving English language teaching (ELT). In parts of Asia where English serves as an official language and ELTexpands and succeeds, people start speaking English among themselves. Wherever this happens, a set of indigenouspatterns develop, the kind of patterns people find easier to handle. The same situation can develop in "English as aninternational language" countries, like Indonesia where English serves as foreign/international language. Indonesianeeds to fully understand the aspects of present-day English if they tries to deal with their various ramifications. Oneimportant issue is diversity management. This paper tries to observe and argues that a plausible way of managingthe multiculturalism or varieties of English especially in Asian country is not standardization but more onintercultural literacy.