Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) launched the English Day program to improve international language skills. The event was held on Tuesday (14/5) at the UMSU Campus Auditorium on Jalan Muchtar Basri No.3 Medan.
The inauguration of the “Every day is English Day” program was marked by beating the drum by UMSU Rector Prof. Dr. Agussani, MAP, represented by WR III Dr. Rudianto, M.Si, accompanied by the Head of the UMSU Language Center Muhammad Rafi’i, M.A, Head of the Student Affairs Bureau Dr. Radiman, M.Si, OIC UMSU, Deans and Student Representatives.
This program was initiated together with the UMSU Language Center Institute, Language Center Volunteers (LCV), and UDS UKM. WR III Dr. Rudianto highly appreciated the launch of English Day. He said that English language skills for the academic community are needed to support UMSU’s dream of becoming a World-Class University.
“Don’t worry if you make mistakes in learning English or speak English slowly because this is not a competition,” Rudianto said.
According to him, currently, the academic community, especially lecturers, are required to interact more with people from various countries or establish international relations. Thus, English language skills are needed; this program is one of the efforts and a forum for learning together.
“We make everyday English fun. Don’t be afraid to talk and be quiet. Make this activity fun. I hope we can learn and improve English together better,” said WR III.
The English Day program will be packaged in various activities such as English Club, English Corner, English Course to International Class. Implemented in all Faculties, Units and Institutions at UMSU.
Previously, the Chairperson of the UMSU Language Center, Rafi’i, said that this program was a strategy to improve English language skills.
“Learning English is not difficult. Let’s increase the use of vocabularies, so it’s not just grammar; we also need to improve pronunciation,” said Rafi’i.
Furthermore, he said that English was able to bring UMSU to become an international campus, but the English language capabilities of all human resources must be good.
The launch event was filled with a Talkshow with the Dean of FAI UMSU Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Qorib. MA and FAI UMSU Lecturer Dr. Salman Nasution about the motivation and importance of English in everyday life. Followed by a debate show from UDS UKM students related to making English a second language, not a foreign language.
Also present were Lecturers throughout UMSU, UMSU Units and Institutions, Education Personnel, and UMSU Student Representatives.