Training the Pesantren: Intercultural Materials for Islamic Boarding Schools in Indonesia

Abstract

The Intercultural English Pesantren project was designed to support teachers at senior school level in NU (Nahdlatul Ulama) Pesantren Islamic Boarding schools in East Java, Indonesia through the introduction of new task-based materials based on intercultural understanding and supported by teacher development. The NU is the biggest Islamic organization in Indonesia and the schools are run with a strongly religious ethic. While the Pesantren have their traditional base in East Java, there are schools throughout Indonesia and the NU has a very powerful political and ideological influence nationally. The overall purpose of the project, which was funded and initiated by The British Council, was to contribute to the development of English language teaching within the Pesantren school system and it aimed to raise the intercultural awareness (Kachru, 1992; Kramsch, 1993) of teachers and learners as well as to develop English language proficiency.