Language Identity in Maritime Defense Diplomacy

DOI

10.2991/assehr.k.200804.052How to use a DOI?

Keywords

ESP, identity, maritime defense diplomacy, needs analysis, course design

Abstract

There is no doubt that language and identity are interrelated and influencing each other. One function of language is as a nation’s cultural identity. Politeness in language is a form of cultural identity, and culture can be integrated into English teaching to improve communication skills. This is fundamental in carrying out maritime defense diplomacy tasks. Foreign language training programs are vehicles that have the potential for bolstering a country’s identity. Therefore, this study aims to examine the compatibility between the syllabus applicable in an English language training program at Indonesian Navy’s language institute and the required language competency related to maritime defense diplomacy activities. This research is a qualitative, descriptive, and interpretive study. Questionnaires and interviews were used in this study, and document examinations were carried out to identify the needs of the 33 alumni of the training program. It was found that listening and speaking skills were very important for carrying out the respondents’ duties as Navy officers. In addition, the respondents agreed that topics related to cultural identity could increase their motivation; and therefore, they were considered effective in improving their English language proficiency. However, the majority of the respondents said the benefit of the course that they had participated in was only to prepare them to take the TOEFL test, and most of the respondents agreed that the course had no direct correlation with the English language competency which they need to carry out their duties. It is concluded that the current syllabus is not compatible with the needs of English language competency required by those Navy officers for carrying out their duties. Based on these findings, it is necessary to improve the syllabus by aligning it with organizational goals and to make sure that the people who have the responsibilities of communicating our national identity are really equipped with the language skills needed.

Copyright

© 2020, the Authors. Published by Atlantis Press.

Open Access

This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/).

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TY  - CONF
AU  - Fransisca Dewi Ratih
AU  - Sisilia Setiawati Halimi
PY  - 2020
DA  - 2020/08/05
TI  - Language Identity in Maritime Defense Diplomacy
BT  - Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Language, Literature, and Arts Education (ICLLAE 2019)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 265
EP  - 269
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.200804.052
DO  - 10.2991/assehr.k.200804.052
ID  - Ratih2020
ER  -