Language policy, identity, and bilingual education in Indonesia: A historical overview

Abstract

This article discusses the historical and political development of language policy, identity, and bilingual education in Indonesia. The language policy in Indonesia begins before the independence where the negotiation between Indonesian and Dutch used as a medium of instruction. During this period, Indonesian is declared as the national language and used widely in public and private schools. This momentum grows continually following the independence, despite the Dutch’s effort to regain control in Indonesia. Post-independence is marked by the recognition of English as the first foreign language and is taught in schools. The promotion of vernaculars languages follows the development of language policy. This article contributes to the extension of understanding and the debates about the development of Indonesian language policy, identities, and bilingual education significantly.