Studying online

There are now 2 possible online modes for units:

Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.

Click on an offering mode for more details.

Unit Overview

Description

This unit provides an introduction to contemporary spoken and written Indonesian. Students are introduced to all four skill areas (speaking, listening, writing and reading) in Indonesian, with an emphasis on oral skills. Students learn to communicate in Indonesian in everyday situations. Students develop a familiarity with Indonesian culture through their language acquisition, e.g. students learn to operate in an Indonesian classroom and university environment, to buy food in Indonesia and how to eat politely as a guest in an Indonesian home. It focuses on conversational Indonesian, and on developing students' ability to conduct simple conversations in Indonesian in everyday situations.

The main objectives are for students to be able to (1) satisfy their basic transactional needs in Indonesian through speaking and listening; (2) initiate and sustain simple conversations, to understand simple texts; and (3) write short essays related to their own survival needs or on very familiar topics. The unit also aims to familiarise students with some of the ways in which Indonesian culture and ways of living (e.g. eating, addressing people, using the bathroom) are different from those commonly found in Australia. A larger, intangible but very important objective is to kindle an interest in Indonesia, its people and their cultures. Students should develop 'minimum creative proficiency', or Level 1 as described in the International Second Language Proficiency Ratings (Elaine Wylie and D. E. Ingram, Griffith University, 1995) by the end of the semester.

Credit
6 points
Offering
(see Timetable)
AvailabilityLocationMode
Semester 1UWA (Perth)Face to face
Details for undergraduate courses
  • Level 1 core unit in the INDNB Indonesian Studies major sequence
  • Level 1 elective
Outcomes

Students are able to (1) provide a spoken or written self description which includes information about their age and birth date, occupation, family and place of living; describe a basic daily routine indicating activities, times and days of the week; describe objects and people with simple (limited) descriptors such as colour, size, nationality and position; have a basic geographical knowledge of Indonesia. Speaking fluently in the above situations and understanding a native speaker's answers completely is not expected, but communicating the above needs and understanding simple answers if provided slowly, and demonstrating that they can write simple, grammatically and semantically correct sentences, with correct use of adjectives, negatives, appropriate request words, verb forms, prepositions and adverbs of time is expected. Students achieve "basic transactional proficiency" (level 1) as defined by the International Second Language Proficiency Ratings; (2) verbalise their inability to understand, ask for speech to be slowed down or repeated, and ask how to say and spell something in Indonesian; ask what something is (e.g. a strange fruit or vegetable), make basic transactions in shops and markets (including a basic level of bargaining), manipulate numbers to a limited extent; ask for, give and understand directions; buy and eat food in a warung (street stall) and in a restaurant, and use polite language at a table; (3) conduct culturally appropriate introductory conversations; appropriately greet and take their leave of someone; invite someone and react to an invitation; use an Indonesian bathroom; and (4) express basic likes and dislikes (e.g. favourite foods).

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) continuous assessment—attendance and participation, quizzes, tests and homework; (2) oral performance; and (3) final written test. Further information is available in the unit outline.



Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)
Assistant Professor Theresia Seputro
Unit rules
Incompatibility
INDO1101 Indonesian Beginners I
Contact hours
4 hours per week
Note
This unit is for students who have no previous knowledge or only a slight knowledge of Indonesian.
  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
  • All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
  • Unit readings, including any essential textbooks, are listed in the unit outline for each unit, one week prior the commencement of study. The unit outline will be available via the LMS and the UWA Handbook one week prior the commencement of study. Reading lists and essential textbooks are subject to change each semester. Information on essential textbooks will also be made available on the Essential Textbooks. This website is updated regularly in the lead up to semester so content may change. It is recommended that students purchase essential textbooks for convenience due to the frequency with which they will be required during the unit. A limited number of textbooks will be made available from the Library in print and will also be made available online wherever possible. Essential textbooks can be purchased from the commercial vendors to secure the best deal. The Student Guild can provide assistance on where to purchase books if required. Books can be purchased second hand at the Guild Secondhand bookshop (second floor, Guild Village), which is located on campus.
  • Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.