Ternate, North Maluku (ANTARA) - The Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Ministry introduced foreign workers in North Maluku to Indonesian culture and language through the Indonesian Language for Foreign Speakers (BIPA) program.

"BIPA has a special method of teaching Indonesian language to foreigners, so it is easier to understand; with this method, there is a high interest from foreigners to learn Indonesian," a culture and language trainer from the ministry, Arie Andrasyah Isa, said here on Saturday.

There is a need to teach Indonesian culture and language to foreign nationals working in mining companies in North Maluku province.

The educational activity needs to be carried out for the foreign workers so that they can adjust to local life.

Isa said the ministry, together with the Department of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) of PT NHM, held BIPA training at Gosowong Training Center, which was attended by 21 participants from 11 departments.

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The program was supported by certified trainers from the Education Ministry, such as Dr. Arie Andrasyah Isa, Dr. Haerul, Insos Jemina Santoke Komboy, and a facilitator from NHM, Johny Herman Karwur.

During the training, the facilitators introduced foreign workers to Indonesian and North Maluku culture. They also provided them with basic materials, for instance, to help them learn some words and understand how to use the basic words in daily life.

Meanwhile, the manager of PT NHM's OHS Department, Kuncoro, said that the BIPA training at Gosowong Training Center was very helpful for foreign workers in learning about the culture of Indonesia and North Maluku as well as improving communication with employees.

"Currently, Indonesian is used by more than 300 million speakers and has also become one of the official languages of UNESCO. Gosowong is fortunate to receive this training," he added.

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Translator: Abdul F, Kenzu
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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