Indonesia is Australia’s largest and nearest neighbour. It is becoming a regional economic and political powerhouse. In an increasingly connected world, it is crucial to be able to engage with and have a deeper understanding of those of different cultural and religious backgrounds. Learning Indonesian is one of the best ways to equip yourself with the cross-cultural literacy to thrive in this Asian Century.

Learning Indonesian opens up a vast archipelago of some of the friendliest, fun-loving, and most hospitable people you will ever meet. With only a basic level of Indonesian, you can easily take yourself off the beaten track and find yourself exploring Java’s mountains and volcanoes, relaxing among Bali’s rice paddies and beaches, exploring Jakarta or Yogyakarta, diving some of the most beautiful spots in the world at Raja Ampat and the Banda islands, or exploring the local wildlife with the komodo dragons in the Lesser Sunda Islands  and the orangutans in Kalimantan.

What will I learn?

In year 9 students move beyond their compulsory language study to further develop their language skills, from simple sentences and vocabulary to more complex forms of communication. Second-year SEAL students will also join this class as part of their course. Topics covered in year 9 Indonesian include family, holidays, travel, shopping, ceremonies and celebrations. 

What will I do?

The course encourages conversational Indonesian and has a strong focus on speaking. Students are expected to develop written links with students at our sister schools in Yogyakarta, SMAN3 and Olifant. These links will be important when students are given the opportunity to visit these schools as part of the College's Indonesian trip.

What will this lead to?

Students will build their skills in year 9 and thereafter access year 10 and VCE Indonesian.

Why choose this subject?

• I am fascinated by cultures and traditions

• I want to know more about Australia's closest neighbour

• I would like to have the opportunity to travel to Indonesia

• I would like to speak another language and potentially boost my university entrance score

Duration:  3 periods per week for the year.

Head of Language/Humanities: Tess Lynch