The Integration of Gorontalo' Cultural Tourism as a Contextual Medium for English Language Learning

Cultural tourism is one of Gorontalo's major attractions. This destination not only offers beauty but can also be used as a medium for learning English. There are several reasons why cultural tourism in Gorontalo is relevant to education. Destinations such as the Golden Walima Mosque, Bubohu Religious Tourism Village, and other sites allow students to experience local culture while improving their English language skills. Cultural tourism also promotes contextualized learning that provides real-life experiences. However, there are challenges to be overcome in integrating cultural tourism into learning, so appropriate solutions are needed to optimize it.

Gorontalo's cultural tourism has great potential to support learning. Sites such as the Golden Walima Mosque, which stands majestically on a barren limestone hill, and the Bubohu Religious Tourism Village, with its rich local traditions, can be used to enhance students' English language skills. Activities such as observing, describing, or explaining cultural elements to visitors allow students to develop their speaking and writing skills in English through hands-on practice.

Cultural tourism-based learning is a method that creates relevant and meaningful experiences. Through activities such as creating an English tour guide or interacting with foreign visitors, students can learn English while deepening their understanding of local culture. For example, the educational atmosphere at Bubohu Village is an opportunity for students to learn about the religious traditions of the Gorontalo people while improving their English. Cultural tourism also has an important role in the enhancement of students' learning motivation. Experiential learning methods, such as explaining the architecture of the Golden Walima Mosque to foreign tourists or describing cultural rituals in Bubohu Village, make students feel more confident and interested. They see the direct benefits of learning English, which increases their satisfaction with the learning process.

However, there are still challenges in integrating cultural tourism into learning. The lack of site-based learning guides and specialized training for teachers is a major obstacle. In addition, the infrastructure at some tourist sites does not yet support educational activities, and the involvement of local communities is still limited. Therefore, attention and cooperation from various parties are needed to overcome these obstacles.

Gorontalo's cultural tourism is a powerful educational resource to support English language learning. Through experiential activities in places such as the Golden Walima Mosque and Bubohu Village, students not only acquire English language skills but also develop an appreciation of local culture. To achieve this, strategic steps need to be taken, such as developing learning modules, training teachers, and improving tourism infrastructure. Collaboration between the government, schools, and local communities is key to creating innovative and sustainable learning.

By: Fadlun Doda

REFERENCES:

Dinas Pariwisata Gorontalo. (n.d.). Wisata Religi Bubohu. From  https://pariwisata.gorontaloprov.go.id/publik/detail_destinasi/wisata-religi-bubohu

Ompus Regional. (2022, September 8). Pesona Masjid Walima Emas: Keindahan Religi di Gorontalo. From https://regional.ompus.com/read/2022/09/08/113237278/pesona-masjid-wal

Salim, A. B. (2020). Strategi Pengembangan Pariwisata Religi di Gorontalo. Dikmas Jurnal Pendidikan Masyarakat, 3(2), 2058–1480. From https://ejurnal.pps.ung.ac.id/index.php/dikmas/article/download/2058/1480