JOHOR BAHRU, May 15 — Beyond being a vibrant celebration of linguistic diversity, the Festival of Languages and Cultures 2025 (FLC2025) at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) serves as a powerful hub for intercultural dialogue, scholarly engagement, and international collaboration.
Over two energetic days, FLC2025 brought together a diverse group of educators, researchers, students, healthcare professionals, and language experts from Malaysia and various countries, including the Philippines, Vietnam, and Japan. The festival’s impact was enhanced through key partnerships with institutions such as Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U) from the Philippines, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (VNU-HCM) from Vietnam, the Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur (JFKL), ELS Language Centres, Columbia Asia Hospitals, UTM Alumni, and Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA).
A Tapestry of Language and Culture
FLC2025 hosted nine immersive Language and Culture Workshops, each designed to explore both the language and the deep cultural nuances that shape it.
“We wanted participants to feel the heartbeat of each culture—not just through words, but through stories, traditions, and shared laughter,” said Dr. Nurhidayah Mohd Sharif, Director of FLC2025.
One of the highlights was the session titled “Let’s Experience Japanese Language & Culture” and “Experience Japan Through Traditional Art Forms & Games,” led by JFKL. It introduced participants to basic greetings, origami folding, anime expressions, and traditional games.
Another engaging session titled “Worry-free Travel: Essential Malay and German,” facilitated by UMPSA instructors, focused on real-life conversational skills for travel scenarios, helping participants gain confidence in using the languages during their journeys.
In “Threads of Identity,” Ann Carlie Gaton Abalena from ISAT-U engaged attendees in reflecting on language as a vessel of cultural memory. Through thought-provoking discussions and interactive sharing sessions, participants were encouraged to explore how their languages and dialects shape their identities and preserve their heritage across generations.
“Language is more than communication—it’s how we carry our ancestors with us,” shared Ann Carlie during the session. “Through every idiom or custom, we echo centuries of identity.”
The “Un-Pho-Gettable” Vietnamese workshop, organized by students from USSH-VNUHCM, immersed participants in Tet traditions, language basics, and cultural games. This vibrant session included hands-on experiences such as learning traditional greetings, understanding lucky money customs, and engaging in fun team activities. Participants gained valuable insights into Vietnam’s festive spirit and linguistic charm.
“We wanted to show that even a simple word like ‘pho’ carries deep cultural meaning,” said Nguyen Thi Lan, a final-year student from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH), Vietnam, and one of the speakers at FLC2025. “It’s more than just food—it represents family, memory, and national identity.”
Language Meets Life: Exclusive Educational Collaborations
The event was not only about cultural exposure; it also bridged the gap between language learning and real-world impact.
The ELS Language Centre’s “Mind Your English,” led by Praveena Ramachandran, engaged participants with gamified tasks and storytelling to enhance their English skills in practical situations.
Additionally, Columbia Asia Hospital’s LiveWell Workshops added a unique health dimension to the festival, demonstrating that language can be a life-saving tool. Through sessions like “Hand Hygiene: Clean Hands, Healthy Lives” and “Basic Life Support: Learn to Save a Life,” conducted by Dr. Christopher Hanjian Sheng, Ruhaimi Masoki, and their team from Columbia Asia Hospital Tebrau, attendees learned essential health communication skills that empower them to respond effectively in critical situations.
“In emergency care, words matter. Clear language can mean the difference between life and death,” emphasized Dr. Sheng.
Academic Rigor Meets Real-World Relevance
Three Scholarly Dialogue sessions added intellectual depth to the festival, igniting important discussions about learning, inclusivity, and national language strategies. One notable session was titled “Balancing Hyperfocus and Adversities: Adult ADHD in Language Acquisition,” presented by Nurfarah Athirah Abdullah Sidek from UTM Kuala Lumpur. This session highlighted neurodivergent learning styles and emphasized the significance of inclusive pedagogies in language education.
“We need to see ADHD not as a limitation, but a lens—offering new ways of processing and retaining language,” Nurfarah explained.
In “Has Short-Form Content Shortened Student Attention?”, a dynamic panel featuring UTM alumni and educators from Sunway University and Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Kopok discussed how TikTok-style content is reshaping classroom dynamics and influencing teaching methods.
“We can’t dismiss short-form media—we need to meet students where they are and help them engage with it critically,”said Mr. Joseph Pang, one of the panelists during the Scholarly Dialogue session.
The roundtable discussion titled “Role of Majlis Dekan-dekan Bahasa Universiti Awam (MaLDeC) in the Empowerment of Malay and Foreign Languages” gathered deans and department heads from various institutions, including Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). This session focused on national strategies for promoting multilingual education in public universities.
“Language is nation-building,” stated Prof. Madya Dr Hadina Habil, “and MaLDeC is uniting us to ensure that both our heritage and our future global competencies are secured.”
A Launchpad for Long-Term Collaboration
“This isn’t the end—it’s the beginning,” said Dr. Farhana Diana Deris, FLC2025 Partnership team leader. “FLC has ignited networks we intend to nurture for years to come.”
With one participant, Mursyid, a first-year TESL Master’s student at UTM, describing the festival as “transformative,” “eye-opening,” and “a space where language came alive,” FLC2025 proved to be more than just a celebration—it was a true catalyst for connection and change.
The organizing team has announced plans to broaden future editions of FLC, inviting more universities and organizations to co-create workshops, dialogues, and research initiatives.
“This festival reminded me that language is connection. And connection is where real learning begins,” said Dr Nurul Naimmah, Assistant Director of FLC2025.
As the curtains closed on FLC2025, one thing was clear: language is not merely spoken, it is lived, shared, and celebrated.
Written by: Nurhidayah Mohd Sharif & Nurul Naimmah Hamdan