UKBI: Experimental development of web-based Indonesian language proficiency test for foreign speakers

Abstract

The web-based test is one of the tools for testing the learners' ability and skills of a language. The research emphasized on UKBI-Uji Kemahiran Berbahasa Indonesia (Test of Indonesian Language Proficiency). In this context, testing of foreign language tests such as Bahasa Indonesia increasingly plays a prominent role in Indonesia because every foreign worker is required to qualify certification of Indonesian language proficiency at the standardized level. The requirement complies with Regulation of the President of the Republic of Indonesia No. 20, 2018. This study aims to propose the development of Indonesian language proficiency test for foreign speakers. The initiative of development contributes to foreign learners' improvement beneficially. In this vein, it measures the ability of test-takers and then hones the language skills according to the description of the test results of the skills. This qualitative research involved 28 foreign students at BINUS University. This research revealed that the program accommodated students' learning development plan effectively, especially the skills of Indonesian language. In addition, this test will assist the stakeholders such as the Indonesian government, foreign learners, teaching associations of BIPA (Indonesian for Foreign Speaker) and activists, and BIPA teachers in long term eventually.