The English(es) to teach after study and life in Australia: A study of Indonesian English language educators

This study investigates perception of English amongst Indonesian English language educators who pursued postgraduate studies in Australia, leading to decisions on which English(es) to teach upon their return to Indonesia. Through individual interviews, 14 participants were asked about expectations of the English language they would encounter prior to their arrival in Australia, followed by questions about the actual varieties they faced in Australia. They were also asked to reflect on their experiences and suggest which English(es) to teach upon their return to Indonesia. Regardless of the multi-varieties encountered in Australia, the participants were highly influenced by external factors in deciding which English(es) to teach upon returning to Indonesia. Most participants would teach American or British English due to textbook availability, not because of their beliefs; some would also share information about other varieties with their students. Intelligibility, the most important matter in communication, would also be shared with their students.