Tertiary English as an SDH in Indonesia

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The aim of this research was to explore the impacts of tertiary English and its relationship to well-being among Indonesian students. The role of English as international language in Indonesia has significantly influenced to the higher education curriculum and positioning English as a compulsory subject. The curriculum aim to equipped tertiary students with skills needed in global market and English is one of the most essential. However, the phenomenon in Indonesia revels that English is not only considered for academic and professional asset but also as a symbol of prestige. This perception has created a social brand where English proficiency is perceived as intelligence, modernity, and social status. As a result, students who have access to quality of education tend to have more privilege in developing English skill than those from rural and low-income backgrounds. This situation creates educational disparity in education and may negatively impact overall well-being. This study investigates this phenomenon and provides new insights into the intersection of language, education, and SDH in Indonesian context, particularly at Islamic universities where religious values strongly influence perspectives, practices, and policy making.

This study was conducted at IAIN Curup, Bengkulu, Indonesia. There were two groups of participants with 12 students from English Department and 12 students from non-English Departments. They were purposely selected to capture the complex phenomena from different angles and perspectives. The participants were interviewed individually for approximately 30 to 60 minutes using in-depth, semi-structured that include open-ended questions. These interviews focused on participants’ experiences regarding the role of tertiary study in Indonesia, their perception of well-being in relation to life opportunities, the impacts of English at tertiary level on well-being, and societal perception on English as future career.