Bahasa Indonesia

Why study Indonesian at UH Mānoa?

There is no better time to learn Indonesian at UH Mānoa than now! Indonesian at UH Mānoa uses multimedia teaching materials and methods, which make learning Indonesian a more engaging, interactive, and hence more effective, experience. We offer online virtual classroom teaching, where students can see and interact with the instructor and other students to boost oral performance and minimise feelings of isolation. We use the new interactive online version of The Indonesian Way a textbook that was developed by the Indonesian Language Program at UH Mānoa. These online materials are also being used at top universities around the globe. This means that the UH Mānoa is using cutting edge, world class materials, developed specifically, but not exclusively, for online and distance learners. Indonesian gives you access to one of the most interesting and important areas of the world. Indonesia has a population of over 250 million who all speak the Indonesian language, which in Indonesian is called bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian language). Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world, but also has significant Christian, Hindu and Buddhist populations. Because of its size and location, it is an important member of the international community. As a travel destination, Indonesia is an enjoyable and affordable place to visit. Indonesian is easier for beginners than many other languages It is relatively easy for beginners to reach a general level of competence in Indonesian. It uses a ‘phonetic’ Roman alphabet, has no tenses or conjugation of verbs, or many of the other grammatical features that can make initial progress in a foreign language difficult. If you speak Indonesian you can perfectly communicate with speakers of Malay which is the national language of Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore. Malay is also spoken by minority communities in Southern Thailand and is an important working language in Timor Leste.