Unismuh PGSD Students Teach Multilingual Vocabulary in Thailand

UNISMUH.AC.ID, Narathiwat, Southern Thailand — Sri Marhadini Putri, a student from the Primary School Teacher Education Study Program (PGSD) of the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) at Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar, introduced the Indonesian–Pattani Malay–Thai–English Vocabulary Class program at Islam Buraphawittaya School, Narathiwat, Southern Thailand, on Monday, June 22, 2026. This program is part of the 2nd Batch International Community Service (KKN Internasional Batch 2) which aims to strengthen the cross-linguistic and cross-cultural communication skills of elementary school students. The activity was conducted with an interactive learning approach that actively involved students in the classroom.

This program was organized through the International Community Service scheme by LP3M Unismuh Makassar as an effort to expand educational contributions across countries. Students were placed in various regions of Southern Thailand, including Narathiwat, Pattani, and Yala, to carry out education and community empowerment programs. The activities at the school focused on simultaneously introducing four languages.

In its implementation, Sri Marhadini Putri designed learning based on games, group discussions, and pronunciation exercises. Students were invited to recognize daily vocabulary such as greetings, numbers, colors, and objects in the school environment. This method was designed to make it easier for students to understand the differences and similarities between languages.

“Through this activity, we want to help students recognize and use basic vocabulary in Indonesian, Pattani Malay, Thai, and English,” said Sri Marhadini Putri. She added that this learning was also directed at strengthening mutual respect in linguistic and cultural diversity.

According to Sri, the multilingual approach was chosen because it is considered effective in broadening students' horizons from an early age. She believes that an interactive learning process can increase students' confidence in using foreign languages simply. This also encourages basic communication skills in daily life.

During the activity, students were seen actively participating in every learning session. They participated in language games, answered questions, and imitated the pronunciation of the taught vocabulary. This enthusiasm was one of the indicators of the success of the applied learning method.

Islam Buraphawittaya School appreciated the implementation of the program. The accompanying teacher assessed that multilingual learning helped students understand language diversity while improving their communication skills. The program was also considered relevant to current global learning needs.

The Head of the Primary School Teacher Education Study Program (PGSD) of FKIP Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar, Ernawati, S.Pd., M.Pd., referred to the activity as a form of student learning innovation. “This activity demonstrates the ability of PGSD students to design creative, communicative, and relevant learning for the needs of students,” said Ernawati.

She added that multilingual learning not only enhances students' communication skills but also instills values of tolerance and cultural openness. According to her, such international experience is important for prospective teachers in the global era.

The Dean of FKIP Unismuh Makassar, Dr. Baharullah, M.Pd., also expressed appreciation for the students' involvement in the international program. “This activity shows that FKIP students are able to present learning that is not only oriented towards knowledge transfer but also character building,” he said.

He emphasized that teaching experience abroad has a significant impact on students' pedagogical competence. This International Community Service program is considered capable of strengthening global insight while forming adaptive and professional prospective educators.

The 2nd Batch International Community Service program itself involved 30 students from various faculties spread across several regions of Southern Thailand. Through educational, social, and community empowerment activities, Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar students strive to strengthen Indonesia–Thailand educational relations and make real contributions at an international level.