The School of Humanities and Social Sciences in cooperation with the Department of Asian Languages and Studies is developing a new major in Indonesian on the Gippsland campus specifically adapted to regional needs.
The stream is now in its fourth year of development and takes students through a three-year language program leading to a major in Indonesian. Alongside those subjects offered on campus are also opportunities to study accredited courses in Indonesia.
Although students are encouraged to take the complete language program, consideration has been given to those who wish to simply try out a language for the first time or those that require survival skills only. These students are advised to take a one or two-semester language program.
The study of any language is not easy and Indonesian is no different. However, there are aspects of Indonesian which make it more accessible than many Asian languages, for example Indonesian uses the same script as English and it does not have tones as found in some East Asian languages.
The study of Indonesian will require patience and most importantly flexibility. However, the rewards of being able to communicate with a nation of 190 million people of diverse cultures living across 17,000 islands shouldn't be overlooked. The different approach required for the study of language will also present a pleasant balance to your other academic studies.
Students completing an Indonesian major should complete fifty-two points, including twelve points at first level, sixteen points at second level, twenty-four points at third level. To complete a minor, students should complete either two subjects at first level and two subjects at second level, or two subjects at second level and two subjects at third level.