Honoring the Indonesian Language: Bahasa Day 2025

The Bahasa Day 2025 celebration at Sampoerna Academy L’Avenue (Secondary) officially commenced on October 27 with a vibrant kick-off during the school assembly. The morning buzzed with excitement as Literacy Ambassadors Bita (Grade 7A) and Syifa (Grade 11 IB) captivated the audience through inspiring storytelling that set the tone for the festivities.

Adding to the significance of the occasion, the event also marked the official launch of student-written books produced by SAJL (Sampoerna Academy Jakarta L’Avenue) learners through their Indonesian Language and Islamic Studies classes. It was a proud moment that highlighted both creativity and academic growth across the school community.

This was followed with the announcement of the 2025 Language Day activities, ranging from a quiz (Grade 7), persuasive posters (Grade 8), posters on the rights and obligations of citizens (Grade 9), to Stand Up Comedy for Grade 10. Students from BIPA Grades 7-10 also joined in the fun with an exciting and challenging scramble words activity.

In an effort to gain a deeper understanding of the meaning of Bahasa Day, I reached out to one of our National Bahasa Indonesia class teachers, Ms. Karin, for an interview. When asked, "Why is it important for students to value Indonesian?" she replied:

 “Appreciating the Indonesian language, especially for those of us in an international school environment, certainly has its own meaning. This will help students from any country understand our local culture, customs, values, and social norms in Indonesia. In fact, by appreciating the Indonesian language, students can even improve their communication skills with those closest to them!”

(– Menghargai Bahasa Indonesia, khususnya kita yang berada di lingkungan sekolah internasional, tentu memiliki maknanya tersendiri. Hal ini akan membantu setiap siswa dari latar belakang negara mana pun untuk memahami budaya lokal, kebiasaan, nilai-nilai, dan norma sosial Indonesia. Bahkan dengan menghargai Bahasa Indonesia, siswa dapat meningkatkan kemampuan berkomunikasi dengan lingkungan terdekat mereka loh!)

In addition to sharing her thoughts on the importance of appreciating the Indonesian language, Ms. Karin also highlighted one important expression in Indonesian that she believes every student should know: “terima kasih” (thank you).

According to her, this expression represents a basic form of respect and appreciation. “Ungkapan ini membuat orang-orang di sekitar kita merasa dihargai—maupun mereka itu guru, teman, penjual makanan, atau satpam. Ungkapan dasar ini membawa rasa hangat bagi siapapun,” she explained. A simple expression of gratitude can create warmth and bonds, showing that language has the power to build kindness in everyday interactions.

This year's Language Day celebration serves as a reminder that the Indonesian language is really an essential part of our identity and culture that we must preserve together. Through simple, meaningful practices, such as saying terima kasih, we can create a warmer, more appreciative, and respectful school environment. May this spirit live on and grow in the daily lives of all students!