International Students Explore English and Indonesian Sound Systems in UNESA Cultural Immersion Program 2026

Magetan, October 29, 2026 – International students participating in the Cultural Immersion Program 2026 at Universitas Negeri Surabaya (UNESA) Campus 5 took part in an academic session exploring the differences between the sound systems of English and Indonesian. The session was part of the three-day program held from October 29 to 31, 2026.

The session was delivered by Hanafi, a lecturer from the English Literature Undergraduate Study Program at UNESA Campus 5. Participants were introduced to the vowel systems of English and Indonesian, followed by a discussion of consonant sounds and their pronunciation patterns in both languages.

During the session, participants learned that English has a more complex vowel system, with a wider variety of vowel sounds, including short vowels, long vowels, and diphthongs. In comparison, Indonesian has a more straightforward vowel system. The discussion also introduced the schwa sound as one of the distinctive features of English pronunciation.

In addition, participants explored consonant differences, including the /ŋ/ sound and its occurrence in different word positions in Indonesian. Examples of words from both languages were used to help participants understand how sounds are produced and how pronunciation patterns differ.

The session combined linguistic concepts with practical examples from everyday language use. Through interactive explanations and comparisons, participants gained a better understanding of the relationship between language structure and pronunciation.

The Cultural Immersion Program 2026 provides international students with opportunities to engage in academic learning while experiencing cultural diversity at UNESA Campus 5. By bringing together students from different national and cultural backgrounds, the program aims to promote intercultural understanding, knowledge sharing, and meaningful international connections.