UPAYA GURU PENDIDIKAN AGAMA KRISTEN DI SMP NEGERI 1 KANATANG DALAM PELESTARIAN BAHASA DAERAH SUMBA TIMUR
ABSTRACT "Efforts of Christian Religious Education Teachers at Kanatang 1 Junior High School in Preserving the Regional Language of East Sumba" Horung F (*) Nuban Timo E (**) Metboki M(**) This study aims to find out what efforts are made by Christian Religious Education teachers at SMP Negeri 1 Kanatang in preserving the regional language of East Sumba, Kanatang sub-district, East Sumba district. This research was conducted in June 2022. This research was conducted at SMP Negeri 1 Kanatang. With the number of respondents, 2 teachers of Christian Religion, and 10 students were observed. The research method used is descriptive qualitative with data collection techniques used are observation, interviews and documentation. From the results of research and data processing obtained from interviews and observations that have been analyzed Christian Religious Education teachers at SMP Negeri 1 Kanatang conduct contextual learning which is seen as an effort to preserve the regional language of East Sumba, including; 1). Collaborating on learning activities and regional languages in the Learning Implementation Plan; 2). Teaching students to pronounce and understand the Regional Language (Prayer, Song, 10 Laws, Apostles' Creed and the names of the Old Testament/New Testament books); 3). Translate God's saving work through Bible verses. Judging from historical studies, current efforts are being made as an effort to contextualize Christian Religious Education through local languages. But now these efforts are carried out as an effort to maintain cultural values as self-identity of students in the face of bad influences from the current development of the times. The efforts made by the PAK teacher are still at the stage of reading, writing and memorizing texts that already exist and all texts are sourced from the Bible in the regional language of East Sumba and Ludu Pamalangu (East Sumba Song of Praise). Keywords: Teacher Effort, Preservation, Culture, Contextual Learning, Regional Language Description: Author (*) Advisor (**) .