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Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world with over 18 thousand islands, more than 300 ethnic groups and over 800 known languages spoken. Even with its vast and diverse characteristics, it still maintains its unity as one country. Stretching from Sumatra to Papua, the people of Indonesia share a  national language, Bahasa Indonesia. Bahasa Indonesia thus plays a vital role helping to create unity within the diversity of Indonesia.

The Center for Asian Studies has the privilege to facilitate students learning Bahasa Indonesia starting from Beginning to Intermediate Classes. Each year, these language classes are taught by a Fulbright Language Teaching Assistant. In INDO 1110/1120, students learn the basics of the language starting from its vocabulary, colloquial conversation practice, writing sentences, grammar, listening practices, presentations from native speakers as well as formative and summative assessments of their language ability during the semester. In the Intermediate Bahasa Indonesia class (1210/1220), student learn a slightly higher standard of Bahasa Indonesia such as writing paragraphs and short stories, displaying mini- plays, listening practices, interpreting real-time tv-shows, intermediate grammar, practicing colloquial conversations, and conversing with native speakers. Not only do the students get the benefits of learning a new language, but they are als immersed to Indonesia’s cultures through regular events such as the Annual Indonesian Potluck, Indonesian Crafternoon, Indonesian Game Night, Indonesian Cultural Night, I-Fest, Gamelan Workshop Practice, Batik/Jumputan Workshops and many more.

Former and current students who have taken Indonesian language Classes at ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ include heritage learners, academic learners, and faculty who were eager to study about Indonesia and Bahasa Indonesia. Some wanted to learn the language to be able to converse with family and friends. Others sought to fulfull a  language requirement in their majors or to study it  for research purposes in Indonesia. A few also joined the class to practice their language skills for future internships/careers in Indonesia. In comparison to other languages, most of the students said that they enjoyed learning Bahasa Indonesia because of its similarities with English in the sentence structure. Furthermore, some of them liked it because the grammar (i.e. tenses) in Indonesian language were surprisingly easier to learn compared to English. Although most words in Bahasa Indonesia have many affixes and suffixes, it gets easier the more you get used to it in time with practice. Indeed, the students always say that Bahasa Indonesia is susah-susah gampang! Which means it is a little hard but very easy!

As an instructor teaching Bahasa Indonesia to American Students at ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ, it has been an enjoyable experience and a great adventure to teach and showcase about my own culture and language to people outside of Indonesia. It was also amazing to see students who were so fascinated to study my languagea and participate in Indonesian culture through many events.
This year, I also had the opportunity  to spend  Ramadan in the United States. I shared my experiences through @america, the US Embassy’s cultural center located in Jakarta.  You can check out during Ramadan    while    teaching    Bahasa    Indonesia    in    the    U.S.!