This paper is aimed to render an analysis on how the impression of linguistic imperialism of English in the era of globalization would affect Language Teaching of English in Indonesian context. English is known to globally spread very rapidly. Starting from the two major diasporas in 16th and 18th century, now, English is accepted in even more countries through the initiatives which is claimed as a practice of Linguistics Imperialism. Indonesia, unlike other neighboring countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, and the Phillipines, has a very little exposure on English due to never become regulated under the British colonial. Hence, English has never been widely spoken in the Indonesian society. But in contrast, English is taught in Indonesian schools as a compulsory subject in grade 7 of secondary school to University levels and considered very important compared to other subjects in Indonesian education system. This is proven by the fact that English is tested the Indonesian national examination (Minister of National Education, 2007). This paper discusses about both the historic view and present-day view of ELT as a form of Linguisitics Imperialism to be noted and anticipated in the practice of ELT in Indonesia in order to plan for a more benefitting reason. Hopefully, by being aware of these issues and accusations, ELT in Indonesia will advance better in the future.

Recently there has been a great interest invested in maximizing higher education students’ knowledge retention as well as increasing students learning experience using web technologies. Many higher education institutions upgrade their learning facilities by integrating virtual learning system to their education provisions. Educational content management system is now a primary requirement in higher education provisions. However, as for the context of Indonesian higher education, upgrading the learning system may mean a total change of the way classes are delivered. Most of Indonesian higher education teachers are those with minimal exposure of virtual technological use in classrooms. Although these teachers are familiar with the common internet tools especially the electronic mail system and internet social media, they are not yet familiar with managing a content management system. Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) ar-Raniry is one of Perguruan Tinggi Keagamaan Islam Negeri (PTKIN) that share similar context. This study was conducted to explore UIN Ar-Raniry teachers’ readiness in delivering blended learning using Virtual Learning Environment. 124 teachers were participating in this research. The index of technological acceptance is relatively high (3.78). However, on the contrary digital technology use related to delivering lecture is relatively low. The use of e-mail and facebook is relatively popular among these teachers. The study found that teachers are interested in using more convenient digital tools in their classes if the university supports the trainings and assigns educational technology consultant to help them establish the virtual class and help with their technical troubles.

The theory of politeness suggests strategies in social interaction by which a person can use to save the hearer’s face upon the effect of face-threatening acts or FTAs. Face threatening acts are described by Brown and Levinson as the acts that infringe the hearer’s need of maintaining his/her self-esteem and be respected. Brown and Levinson accepted that the notion of face is respected as universal norms or values subscribed to by the members of the society. In that regard, this article provides a discussion about various viewpoints on the debate of universality of politeness theory and criticisms addressed by eastern-pragmaticists that this theory should not be seen as universally applicable. Cultural differences, as suggested by non-western pragmaticists, accord what is accepted in the context of face in western culture to be not accepted in other cultures. Therefeore, although we accept that Brown & Levinson’s theory has made a significant breakthrough in elaborating politeness, appropriation of this theory should be accounted in intercultural communication instead to accept it as universal.

Given the intensified number of online learning activities and having inadequate knowledge to identify the details of how it was organized within increased students’ language learning ability; this study focused on identifying the students’ perceptions of learning in two different situations. This study investigated how students perceived working in a new learning mode (online learning activity) compared to the traditional or face-to-face learning mode (offline learning activity) in regards to the learning frameworks, including the depth and comprehensiveness of learning, appropriate length for learning, comfortability of learning, and flexibility of learning. Ten students were selected to be the participants of the current study; all of whom were sixth and eighth semester students at the Department of English Language Education of Universitas Islam Negeri Ar-Raniry Banda Aceh. They were served by several questions related to their experiences working on two different learning modes. The findings revealed that working in offline learning mode was still the common preference among the students and only a few of them preferred online learning. Even more interesting was the finding of one or two students who perceived no differences between participating in offline and online class learning activities. In addition, the findings also indicated that interaction between the course instructors and students still becomes a prominent element on the students’ satisfaction and comfort of learning. The students also suggested that the keys to their satisfactory learning experiences are access to learning materials and to their class instructors. To conclude, this study also provides new insights on what matters the most to the students’ learning experiences with respect to the current online learning trend.

The objective of this study is to learn how English teachers’ teaching style at Senior High Schools (SMAs) in Meureudu in introducing concept mapping strategy in delivering reading comprehension lesson. In teaching Reading Comprehension, different teaching styles gives different students learning experience and output, and using concept mapping, students are stimulated to have better control over their comprehension. This study was conducted at SMA 1 Meureudu and SMA 2 Meureudu, a town located 123 kms from Banda Aceh, Indonesia. Very often, English classes in schools located far from the main cities in Aceh suffer from lack interesting activity The study was using qualitative approach through class activity observations and interviews. Concept mapping activities facilitated by the teachers at SMA 1 Meureudu used digital projector and paper handouts as the media for the group activities. The teacher of SMA 2 Meureudu used only handout paper as a medium and by pairing the students. The findings of this study showed that the teaching styles in delivering reading activity using the concept mapping activity used by the teachers in both schools differ in the way how the teacher assign student to work on the task. The students were found to be more fully engaged in the reading activity with concept mapping compared to any past reading activities using translating line-by-line and answering questions. Assigning group reading task also help boost the students motivation and collaborative responsibility to learn.