Mr T Arif Bawah
No I think Indonesian is an extremely easy language to learn.I came to Bali 2 months ago to live never having even visited before, and I spent the first few weeks just goofing off on a vacation of sorts, so I didn't even make an attempt to start learning the language until about 1 month in. Now 1 month later, I am far from fluent but can already communicate effectively with people. There is even a girl here that I'm sort of seeing that I spend a few hours with everyday, and she speaks no english whatsoever. I don't have any problems communicating with her, although we do speak slowly and use simpler phrases. It's very easy to pick up on the basics and if you want to learn just interact with the locals as much as you can. Just walk up to someone and start talking, Indonesians are extremely friendly, and even if you "hit your wall" and can't speak any more Indonesian to them, it's ok they will think it's cool just that you know a little bit and are trying.[/QUOTE]An unfortunate perception - the BASICS are very easy......the only joy being that simple communication is easier.......After one month my russian, turkish, spanish, even kermit are enough to communicate....Do remember that not ever Indonesian speaks Indonesian....a thought to digest.But yes, give it your best shot and get away from being a clapped out expat married to a local, not speaking a word hanging on the coat tails,"what's he saying?" "satu bir lagi, dingin, dingin".
Mr T Arif Bawah
And a warm welcome to you. Can I just point out one tiny thing.....Bahasa means language not Indonesian. If you want to learn that it is Bahasa Indonesian or if it was German it would be Bahasa German etc.[/QUOTE]Bahasa Jerman....karo boso Indonesia....Devil is in the detail Jimbo.
Mr T Arif Bawah
I just thought I'd let you know, in case you are in Ubud that i have recently discovered a cute little place called Starfish Language Center. The project is part of a non profit, relies on volunteers and is dedicated to teaching ENglish for free to local kids. To subsidize for the costs local Indonesian teachers offer Indonesian classes to foreign visitors. You can chose an intensive or longer course, but the teachers are very well trained instructors and you can really learn very fast. Good luck to all of you. Its really not a difficult language to learn.[/QUOTE] Nice concept and the best way to learn.....Unlike french where a small mistake has all kermits jumping up and down and reversing....complaining they cannot understand, BI is with certain exceptions easier to get understood with the basics. Get your pluperfect mixed up in french and they won't reply. get kita mixed up with kami and there will be no problem here.
Dyah
my student like the site with Cici too ... simple to understand... and for beginner and everyone who like games and good for children too ...[url=http://www.digitaldialects.com/Indonesian.htm]Indonesian language learning games[/url]
sunskin
Rosetta Stone did for me. Of course, I look a fool when I try to type it out...
Dyah
I suggest Rosseta Stone too for everybody that can pay ... the program is very good. Some years ago i bought Rosetta Stone online from someone in germany with adress in Germany , paid in Germany... but as the packet came, i had to pay import tax, than its come from USA .. ;-(
tintin
Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, is the number One University in the US for Indonesian studies. Many years ago, I started learning Indonesian, while in Ubud, with an Indonesian teacher, Professor Wayan Sarna (he was a Pricipal in a school in Kedewakan). Pak Sarna used the Cornell method, [I]Beginning Indonesian Through Self-Instruction[/I], developed by Prof. John Wolff, which, by far, the best method. Not exactly a [i]bahasa pasar[/i] method, but excellent in the way it builds up the mastery of the language, its grammar (YES, there is some grammar in the Indonesian language, but simple compared to the French or German!).Later on, I purchased the cassette tapes of the lectures (very expensive). Now they are available on CDs and DVDs (and MUCH cheaper), which are much more practical than the cassettes.If you need more info. [URL="http://your.usc.edu.au/wacana/isn/bitsi_on_cd_dvd.html"]BITSI on CD and DVD[/URL]Also available are some other instructions in [I]Formal Indonesian[/I], [I]Indonesian Readings[/I], and [I]Indonesian Conversation[/I]. With the latter, you may start to be understood in the streets of Jakarta...:icon_lol:
kabouter
Any recommendations for a good language school or teacher on bali? I got 1 month to learn the language, I can order food and stuff like that, but besides that I'm an absolute beginner.I see 40hour programs with the choice for different sized groups, I would like to socialize a bit with others, but wonder if it wouldn't be better to get private tutoring. Anyone who has experience with this and can chime in to the advantage of private tutoring?I guess a student that could teach me could also be a good idea, especially since he/she could learn me the more commonly used language, but so far I have no idea where to find one.
Markit
Get an Indonesian boy/girl friend - no, joke! That's the best way to learn a language in the world.
kabouter
The things people do to learn a new language :). I got an indo gf actually, but can't say we ever talk indonesian.My grandparents are from indonesia as well, I think they will appreciate it if I could speak the language. But yeah any other tips besides getting an indo gf, which so far hasn't been fruitful for my language skills ;).
Markit
Let me get this right: You have an Indo girl friend.You have Indo grandparentsYou must have at least one Indo parentYou live in IndonesiaYou don't speak IndonesianMy friend, bad news, you are fecking stupid:icon_lol:
kabouter
No need for calling names. My great grandparents immigrated to indo and my grandparents spoke 2 languages. My mother wasn't born there and they never spoke indo at home.So even though I do have a connection with indonesia I don't think it is that strange that I don't speak the language? And I don't live in Indonesia.But let's get back on topic.
belleh
i like this program to .....nice and simplethanks
pollyanna
i like this program to .....nice and simplethanks[/QUOTE] Which program, Belleh? I'm trying to find a really good online or dvd course or, even better, an intensive course in Bali.
belleh
the learningindonesian.com one.i wouldnt say it was intensive....however i am only up to lesson 10 lol
hermit
Which program, Belleh? I'm trying to find a really good online or dvd course or, even better, an intensive course in Bali.[/QUOTE] Read Greenspeaks column about it in the Bali Advertiser.Sounds promising and close by.
pollyanna
Read Greenspeaks column about it in the Bali Advertiser.Sounds promising and close by.[/QUOTE] Hermit, I can't find it. I went to the Bali Advertiser site and searched for learning, greenspeak, indonesian, and bahasa and haven't found the article. Do you remember how long ago it was published?
matsaleh
Pollyanna, I think Hermit's referring to this article:[URL="http://www.baliadvertiser.biz/articles/greenspeak/2011/mixed_bag.html"]Mixed Bag[/URL]
matsaleh
... and Belleh is referring to this one: [URL="http://www.learningindonesian.com/"]Learning Indonesian - The fun and easy self-paced course in Bahasa Indonesia, the Indonesian Language[/URL]
pollyanna
Pollyanna, I think Hermit's referring to this article:[URL="http://www.baliadvertiser.biz/articles/greenspeak/2011/mixed_bag.html"]Mixed Bag[/URL][/QUOTE] Thank you Hermit and Masaleh,I always enjoy the Greenspeak articles and the Mixed Bag article gave me just the info I was looking for. I have contacted [URL="http://www.cintabahasa.com/"]Cinta Bahasa[/URL] and hope to start their beginner's course soon.For anyone who is interested they are getting ready to start an evening course but I want to go during the day so I'll wait until there are enough people for a daytime course.
