INTERNATIONALIZING LOCAL WISDOM: NATIONAL CULINARY OF “SOTO MEDAN” AS MEDIA IN TEACHING INDONESIAN LANGUAGE FOR FOREIGN SPEAKERS (BIPA)

In order to investigate how culinary experiences can enhance the language learning process, this study examines the integration of Soto Medan culinary delights into Indonesian language learning for non-native speakers. This qualitative research adopts participant observation, ethnographic approaches, and in-depth interviews with both learners and local community members to explore the intricate connections between language, culture, and local culinary traditions. By engaging learners in authentic dining experiences, the study highlights how language acquisition extends beyond the classroom and into meaningful cultural contexts. The findings reveal that incorporating traditional culinary experiences into language learning not only fosters a deeper understanding of Indonesian culture but also increases learners’ motivation, engagement, and willingness to communicate in the target language. Through tasting, discussing, and even preparing Soto Medan, learners actively acquire relevant vocabulary, practice conversational structures, and develop intercultural competence. Furthermore, the study underscores how food-related activities can serve as a non-threatening and enjoyable medium for practicing pronunciation, idiomatic expressions, and socio-cultural norms. This research suggests that culinary-based pedagogy offers significant pedagogical value for teachers of Indonesian language as a foreign Speakers (BIPA). Incorporating local dishes into lessons—whether through cooking demonstrations, restaurant visits, or classroom-based tasting sessions—can create rich opportunities for contextual learning, enhance learner participation, and bridge linguistic theory with lived cultural experience. By situating language in its authentic cultural and gastronomic environment, educators can cultivate both linguistic proficiency and cultural sensitivity, making the learning process more memorable and impactful.