BALI — Amid the accelerating currents of globalization, where linguistic proficiency has become a gateway to civilization, Practical Education Center (PEC) Indonesia has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening educator quality through its flagship program, PEC Goes to Bali. Held from 26 to 29 January 2026, the educational initiative brought together 22 PEC educators from the Greater Jakarta area, exploring natural learning environments from Melasti Beach to Bedugul and Ubud, a living laboratory where language, culture, and the professional world converge in harmony.
The program was designed as an Immersion Program, emphasizing direct and contextual English-language practice. This approach aligns with the spirit of Indonesia’s National Education System Law No. 20 of 2003, which mandates that education be delivered in a contextual, relevant, and learner-centered manner. Bali was chosen deliberately: the island stands as a global crossroads where English functions as a daily lingua franca across hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, and international public spaces.
“This visit to Bali is far more than a conventional tour; it is an immersion program, real English practice in real-world settings,” said Agus Sutisna, an educator at PEC Vila Mutiara Gading (VMG) 2. He emphasized that direct interaction with international tourists offers an effective platform to organically develop speaking and listening skills, cultivate cross-cultural communication confidence, and enhance overall fluency among educators.
Beyond language immersion, the initiative also served as a field study and observational program within the tourism industry, particularly in English for Tourism, English for Hospitality, and English for Customer Service. Participants engaged in contextual English applications (from front-office operations and tour guiding to public service interactions) while also learning international communication etiquette and participating in authentic workplace simulations aligned with global industry demands.
From an institutional perspective, PEC leveraged the program as a benchmarking and partnership-strengthening initiative. Comparative studies with language institutions, international schools, and vocational training centers in Bali provided valuable insights for adopting practice-based learning models rooted in global cultural awareness, in line with national education policies emphasizing alignment between education and workforce needs.
Language, like culture, reflects the soul of civilization. Through its cultural exchange component, PEC educators deepened their understanding of cross-cultural communication, learning how to convey ideas with respect, adaptability, and global sensitivity. “English no longer feels like a classroom subject; it becomes a life tool,” said Agus Sutisna, who is familiarly known as Agus Somplax, speaking to the media on Wednesday (28 January 2026).
The program further functioned as a platform for enhancing motivation, character development, and professional competence. Structured as an edu-trip and language camp, the initiative fostered discipline, adaptability, and independence among participants. Bali also served as a venue for practice-based competency assessments, real-world work simulations, and the development of professional portfolios, representing a sustainable investment in educational quality, Agus Somplax added.
In closing, Agus Sutisna reaffirmed that the primary objective of the program is to bridge language theory with real-world global practices in tourism and international culture. With more than 250 branches across Depok, Bekasi, Tangerang, and Jakarta, PEC Indonesia continues to position itself as an educational institution that not only pursues academic excellence but also cultivates strong character. From Bali, educators return carrying global perspectives, ready to instill modern mindsets and contemporary values in Indonesia’s next generation.
(CP/red)
