Anita Lie
There is a pressing need for countries like Indonesia to equip its young citizens with English language skills so they can survive in the Industrial Revolution 4.0 and contribute to the local communities as well as to the global society. English provides an avenue for young Indonesians to express themselves and be recognized as Indonesians on the global stage. On the other hand, the inevitable spread of English in Indonesia, particularly among an emerging group of young and adolescent learners has raised concerns about the diminishing mastery of Indonesian language and invasion into Indonesian culture, values and behaviors. Issues related to the pervasive use of English and its implications in the reshaping of the cultural identity include the dynamics of nationalism or internationalism, the balance in achieving a mastery of both Indonesian and English equally, and the ownership of English in Indonesia. These issues require a re-examination of language policy in the era of the Industrial Revolution 4.0. Indonesia needs to resolve the dilemma between preserving the national and cultural identities and equipping its young citizens with sufficient global literacy skills. © 2021 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
English Department, Widya Mandala Catholic University, Surabaya, Indonesia