About

 

A BRIEF HISTORY OF I.T.I LANGUAGE CENTER*

The establishment of a language center of Institut Teknologi Indonesia (ITI) at Serpong, Tangerang Selatan, in Banten Province (Indonesia) started with the assistance given by government of Banten Province in realization of an English language laboratory. The two founders of English Language Center (ELC), its first official name, Dra. ES Lumbantoruan and Dra. Farida Tharissa were the two English lecturers at that time. Mrs. Lumbantoruan was then appointed as Head of ELC in 1984 and she remained at her position until 2004.

In 1989, Mrs. Lumbantoruan was assisted by Mr. Dickson, S.Pd. as Secretary of ELC in conducting English language programs. He then continued the lead as Head of ELC from 2004 to 2012. A few years before he took office, ELC conducted a joint operation with Lembaga Bahasa LIA in providing English language training for ITI students for 2 semesters (Semesters 3 and 4). This program was considered compulsory for all students. After finishing this program with Pass grade, they received 2 certificates as a prerequisite for commencing their Final Assignment and writing their theses in the last semester. But later, due to the high cost of Lembaga Bahasa LIA holding such training, ELC took over the responsibility of running the program to date with some adjustment.

In 2007, ELC received funding from ADB in form of a TPSDP project to establish a computer-equipped language laboratory and Self Access Centre (SAC). Another program, TOEFL training and test was then initiated by the project. ELC also conducted TOEFL program for lecturers who planned to study further for their higher degree. Administration staffs of ITI were also given training in conversation class. If they succeeded to complete the training, they will receive a raise in their salary as a bonus.

In 2012, Mr. Dickson, S.Pd. was succeeded by Mr. Adi Setiawan, ST, M.Eng.Sc as Head of ELC. In the beginning of his period, the name ELC was changed to Language Center to accommodate other foreign languages to be offered trainings later to ITI students and general public. Some language trainings in Russian and Japanese were then held. To date, some previous programs are still running, such as Communication in English Classes from Level I to Level IV and TOEFL-like test.

Later on, Language Centre also helped the birth of English Speaker Club in 2015, a student unit at university level specializing in practicing English and creating English-related events, such as annual Elonquest (singing, scrabble and speech contest). Its members were also sent to participate in some LLDIKTI (before Kopertis)-level debate competitions. And in 2019, Language Center launched its official website to reach greater audience.

*) By Mr. Dickson, S.Pd edited by Admin