Indonesian Language Minor

Total units 24 Units

Areas of interest Asian Languages, Asian Studies, Asia Pacific Studies, Language Studies, Asia-Pacific Studies
Minor code INDN-MIN

Academic career Undergraduate
Academic Contact Dr Tim Hassall

Description

This minor develops students' ability to communicate in a culturally and socially appropriate manner in Indonesian—the national language of Australia's close neighbour, and a language with well over 200 million speakers. The minor emphasises the importance of cultural as well as linguistic fluency from the introductory level onwards and stresses the functional and situational use of the language in everyday life. Not only will students be able to converse on topics of relevance and interest to Indonesian speakers, but they will be able to read and write the language as it appears in the media and in literature.

Students in this minor are encouraged to spend time studying at a tertiary institution in Indonesia. This can be done either through intensive in-country study in the summer or winter breaks, or through a year of study in the Year in Asia program. Competitive scholarships are available to qualified students.

Learning Outcomes

Recognise and produce the set of standard Indonesian phonemes and use patterns of stress and intonation.
Use an active vocabulary of around 1600 words.
Recognise and produce phrase and sentence structures that enable them to converse and write extended passages on a wide range of non-technical topics, as well as to read short authentic non-technical texts with vocabulary support consisting of concise word lists.
Converse and write on a wide range of concrete everyday topics as well as on social-cultural topics such as human rights, learning styles, and Indonesia-Australia relations.
Demonstrate a cultural understanding of a wide range of concrete everyday topics, as well as of Indonesian perceptions and practices regarding such topics as ethnic diversity, tackling law reform, and traditional versus modern medicine.

Other Information

Students with previous “language experience or exposure” are required to take a language placement test to ensure enrolment at the most appropriate level.

Relevant past experience includes:

- Previous study of the language (both formal and informal, for example but not limited to, at school, or, home, or through online activities, etc.)

- Being exposed to the language in childhood via a family member or friend

- Travel or living in a country where the language is spoken

- The language being spoken in your home (even if you do not speak it yourself)

Students who are not sure if they need to take a placement test should seek advice from the course or language convenor.

Students who intentionally misrepresent their language proficiency level may be investigated under the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 as having failed to comply with assessment directions and having sought unfair advantage. This may results in a penalty such as reduced grades or failure of the course.

Students are not permitted to enrol in a language course below one that they have already successfully completed, except with permission of the language and/or course convenor.