Banjarmasin (ANTARA) - The Banjarmasin city government in South Kalimantan on Saturday launched Kampung Inggris, or “English Village” — a tourism initiative where visitors can learn English in a local, riverside setting.The project is being carried out in collaboration with the Student Executive Board (BEM) of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FKIK) at the University of Lambung Mangkurat (ULM), Banjarmasin.
Deputy Mayor Ananda said the program is centered in Kampung Hijau, a tourist-friendly riverside area in the Sungai Bilu subdistrict. She referred to the initiative as “Greenlish Tourism,” combining ecotourism with community-based English education.
“This initiative is not just ceremonial — it’s part of a long-term strategy to position Banjarmasin as a participatory city that engages both citizens and youth,” Ananda said.
She added that Kampung Hijau now serves not only as an eco-tourism destination but also as a community-based English learning hub. The project aims to empower residents, especially young people, by involving them as agents of social change.
The Kampung Inggris development will take place in stages — starting with basic speaking practice, interaction with tourists, and eventually the strengthening of Kampung Hijau’s tourism branding in English.
"Later on, we'll create visual materials, install multilingual information boards, and provide training for local MSMEs so they can better serve international visitors," Ananda said.
She noted that the city's development vision is centered on becoming a smart, inclusive, and sustainable river city.
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"Development isn't just about physical infrastructure — it's also about community empowerment and promoting a culture of literacy," she said. "This is not a quick project, but a long-term movement."
M. Irwan Setiawan, a coordinator at ULM’s FKIK BEM, explained that the initiative seeks to revitalize Kampung Hijau through ecotourism, while equipping residents with basic English skills.
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"Our focus is to improve the quality of the tourist village, especially by enhancing communication between residents and foreign visitors," he said.
Setiawan noted that the Sungai Bilu subdistrict has recently begun attracting international tourists, but residents still lack confidence in using basic English.
"Even simple things like greeting tourists or explaining places in English can make a big difference," he said. "That's why we're introducing a practical curriculum focused on speaking, writing, and eco-tourism-related vocabulary."
