Cross-cultural understanding of cognitive integrated approach with Minangkabau culture in Indonesian language learning for foreign speakers

The importance of cross-cultural communication in language learning as an approach to acquiring language skills in teaching Indonesian as a Foreign Language or Bahasa Indonesia Untuk Penutur Asing (BIPA) in the Indonesian language, significantly influences cross-cultural understanding. BIPA learners encounter difficulties learning Indonesian and understanding Minangkabau culture in West Sumatra due to their limited adaptability, often resulting in culture shock. This challenge affects their ability to communicate in Indonesian. Therefore, this study aimed to provide a learning approach that can assist integrated cultural BIPA learning programs, tailored to the environment where the Indonesian language is taught. This study adopted a qualitative case study methodology to explore and elucidate cognitive cross-cultural understanding in integrated BIPA learning with Minangkabau culture in West Sumatra. It utilized thematic analysis procedures with qualitative content analysis (QCA) techniques and analysis aided by CAQDAS Nvivo-12 to analyze qualitative data derived from transcripts of non-participant observation, in-depth interviews, and Forum Group Discussion (FGD). The findings of this research indicate that cognitive cross-cultural understanding is crucial in Indonesian language proficiency, including (1) perception; interpreting and integrating, (2) conceptual; conceptualizing, matching, and specifying, (3) communication; attempting, investigating, problem-solving, making decisions, and interaction. The results contribute to a deeper understanding of cross-cultural communication in the context of learning the Indonesian language. The implications of this research add value to theoretical, methodological, and practical frameworks that can advance research in the field of cross-cultural communication in BIPA learning, fostering the development of more effective approaches to teaching BIPA with enhanced cultural integration.