Indonesian 
Indonesia's education world may soon witness interesting developments. Defence Minister and President-elect Prabowo Subianto has reportedly given directions to consider teaching Portuguese in schools. This discourse emerged as a response to Indonesia's increasing bilateral relations with Portuguese-speaking countries, especially Brazil and Portugal in various fields.
This initiative is not without reason. Portuguese is one of the fastest-growing languages in the world, with more than 260 million native speakers across four continents. With the inclusion of the Portuguese language in the curriculum, the younger generation of Indonesians will have wider access to economic, diplomatic and cultural opportunities in countries such as Brazil, Portugal, Angola, Mozambique and East Timor.
How, then, is the realization of this direction in the field? The integration of a new foreign language into the national education system requires careful preparation, from the preparation of curricula, teacher training, to the provision of teaching materials. This is where the role of non-formal institutions such as Portuguese language courses becomes very crucial to bridge the gap while waiting for official implementation from the government.
This article will thoroughly explore the background of this strategic direction, the benefits that can be achieved, the challenges of its implementation, and how the community can prepare from now on, including through the various Portuguese language courses available.
Background and strategic intent behind the directive
This directive is allegedly strongly related to Indonesia's grand strategy in strengthening the maritime axis and global cooperation. Brazil, a major South American economic power and BRICS member, is a potential strategic partner in renewable energy, defense, and agriculture. Mastery of the language is the key to opening the door to more intimate and equal cooperation. A structured Portuguese course program can be the initial foundation for the creation of human resources that are ready to compete globally.
Summary: the direction of Portuguese language teaching is driven by Indonesia's strategic interest to deepen bilateral relations, especially with Brazil, in the fields of economy, politics, and security.
Long-term benefits for students and the Indonesian economy
Mastery of the Portuguese language will open a” back door " to markets and opportunities that have been less touched. Graduates who are fluent in Portuguese will have high selling points in multinational companies, the diplomatic sector and the tourism industry. While waiting for implementation at school, taking a Portuguese course independently is a smart investment for the future. This proficiency also facilitates access to scholarships and higher education at top universities in Lisbon or Sao Paulo.
Summary: the benefits include increasing the competitiveness of Indonesian human resources in the global arena, opening up economic and educational opportunities, and strengthening soft power diplomacy.
Challenges and implementation strategies in the National Education System
Implementation of this kind of policy is certainly not easy. The biggest challenges are the availability of competent teachers, budget allocation, and the preparation of an effective curriculum. The collaboration between the Ministry of Education and professional institutions such as Portuguese language courses and cultural centers of Portuguese-speaking countries will be vital in this preparatory phase. Intensive training for existing foreign language teachers to shift focus to Portuguese could be a medium-term solution.
Summary: the main challenges include teacher human resources, funding, and curriculum, which require collaborative strategies with various parties to solve them.
Understand the differences between European and Brazilian Portuguese
One of the technical things that needs to be decided is Which variant of Portuguese to teach. The differences between European Portuguese (Portugal) and Brazilian Portuguese are quite significant, both in terms of pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar. A qualified Portuguese language course institution will usually provide a choice or clear explanation of the focus of the variant they teach. For business and population contexts, the Brazilian variant is often more in demand.
Summary: there are notable differences between Portuguese Portugal and Brazil, so it is necessary to be clear which variant to focus on in teaching.
The first steps students and parents can take now
Waiting for official policies to be implemented does not mean sitting idly by. Students and parents can take the initiative by looking for self-study resources. Start with language apps, watch Brazilian movies, or join online communities. For more targeted and structured learning, enroll in the program Portuguese language courses is the most effective measure. Having this expertise early on will provide a very valuable "head start".
Summary: students and parents can proactively study Portuguese through a variety of online resources and coursework institutions to prepare themselves for this new era.
For those of you who are interested in learning Portuguese seriously, Leavco courses Portuguese Language offering learning programs designed by experienced teachers, including sworn Portuguese translators, to ensure you master this language from basic to advanced level, both for academic and professional purposes.
The discourse promoted by President Prabowo Subianto is a positive signal for the future of education and international relations in Indonesia. Incorporating Portuguese into the school curriculum is a visionary step in line with Indonesia's position on the global stage. This step not only prepares the younger generation with relevant skills, but also strengthens the nation's identity through strategic mastery of foreign languages.
Although the realization takes time and is a long process, the passion for learning a new language is worth appreciating. This initiative from the government should be balanced with public awareness of the importance of investing in language skills. With or without an official policy, mastering the Portuguese language will be a valuable asset in the future. Let's welcome this new era by arming ourselves with the required knowledge and skills.
