INCORPORATING LOCAL WISDOM INTO ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING (ELT)

Abstract

Since language (e.g.local languages)is an important part of a culture, it should be maintained and revitalized. When the language undergoes attrition because of global culture, many aspects in culture will also be extinct. As it is not possible to “fight against” the global culture, it would be wise to maintain the local languages by juxtaposing the local languages, Indonesian, and English. This paper is intended to offer an alternative of maintaining local languages or cultures by incorporating local wisdom into English Language Teaching(ELT)In practice, it can be a kind of multilingual teaching by juxtaposing local language(s)Indonesian, and English in school or college. The implication is the students, by being multilingual, will be able to develop multiculturalism, thus, developing also high tolerance among the existing ethnics. Local wisdom can be found in many aspects of culture, e.g. dress, food, architecture, narrative, traditional songs etc. In order to be interesting, the use of Information Technology is crucial; English teachers may collect and select authentic materials from internet, if available, and they can be presented in LCD in the classroom.