Face to Face
Would you like to enrol for the coming term?
Selamat Datang (Welcome) to Melbourne's longest-running classes in Bahasa Indonesia for adults!
As part of our mission to promote friendship between Indonesia and Australia, AIAV has been running weekly language classes for more than 50 years! Our teachers have a wealth of experience and are passionate about helping you to learn the language and explore the culture of Indonesia. So …
Ayo, ikutlah! (Come on, let’s get started!)
When
Weekly on Thursday evenings from 6.30 to 8.30 pm (with a 15-minute break) during school terms.
Where
Multicultural Hub, 506 Elizabeth St, Melbourne (opposite the Queen Victoria Market), rooms to be advised
Levels
Introductory, Beginners, Lower Intermediate, Intermediate, Upper Intermediate and Advanced levels are available each term.
Content
The Introductory level uses a booklet. Beginner and Intermediate levels use the textbook but this is also supplemented with other activities and materials including media articles, films, poetry and songs. The Advanced level use materials provided by the teacher.
We offer 6 levels
We offer a range of levels of language learning to suit your situation.
SKILLS
What Level?
Try our online placement quiz.
We will do our best to put you in the most appropriate class, but feel free to speak to your teacher if you think you should move up or down a level.
Pengantar (Introductory)
Pengajar:
This class will be offered in Term 4 2026.
Then again in Terms 2 and 4 in 2027.
In Terms 1 and 3 2027 this class will be offered online.
Welcome to the adventure that is learning Indonesian! A whole new world is about to open up to you.
At the beginning of the year in Term 1 we offer this class online as an Introductory level for students who have little or no exposure to the Indonesian language. A Pengantar class is offered again in Terms 2 and 4 as a Face to Face class, however will only run if there are enough students. Instruction is in English. After one term students will move on to the Beginner level class.
Some of the topics covered include:
- The Indonesian alphabet and pronunciation.
- Common greetings.
- Introducing yourself (Kenalkan).
- Terms of address.
- Pronouns.
- Numbers.
Textbook: An Introductory booklet will be provided by AIAV.
Pemula (Beginners)
This level moves on from the basic Introductory level and continues to expand on the grammar already covered in Pengantar. Instruction is in English.
Topics include:
- Family.
- Parts of the body and illnesses.
- Asking and telling the time (Jam berapa?).
- Shopping (Di pasar).
Textbook: Asyik Berbahasa Indonesia 1, plus other teaching materials.
Madya Bawah (Lower Intermediate)
As your confidence grows, you are able to expand your increasing knowledge of the grammar and be able to discuss more topics in Indonesian. Instruction continues in English with some Indonesian now included.
Some of the topics include:
- The meN-prefix.
- The peN-prefix.
- The use of pernah.
- The passive for first and second persons.
Textbook: Asyik Berbahasa Indonesia 2, plus other teaching materials.
Madya (Intermediate)
By now you have the fundamentals under control and you are able to have conversations in Indonesian on a range of basic topics. Now you can broaden your vocabulary and add more complexity, as well as learning more about life in Indonesia. Instruction is increasingly in Indonesian with explanation in English as required.
Some of the topics include:
- The -kan suffix.
- Comparisons using lebih & paling.
- Time phrases like yang lalu, lagi & nanti.
- More Transitive verbs.
Textbook: Asyik Berbahasa Indonesia 2, plus other teaching materials.
Madya Atas (Upper Intermediate)
This level builds on the Lower Intermediate level, so you will add to your growing knowledge of Indonesian words, idioms and constructions. You will be reading, writing and speaking in more complex sentences and learning more about Indonesia along the way. Instruction is generally in Indonesian.
Some of the topics include:
- The functions of the verbal suffix -i.
- Narrating from 2 points of reference.
- Classifiers.
- The important events of Ramadan and Lebaran.
Textbook: Asyik Berbahasa Indonesia 3, plus other teaching materials.
Mahir (Advanced)
The Advanced level is for students who already have a good standard of Indonesian and wish to maintain or improve on it. It’s assumed that you already have a broad vocabulary and are familiar with the points of grammar covered in the Beginners and Intermediate levels. However, more advanced aspects of grammar are included as revision at this level. Instruction is in Indonesian.
No textbook is used in the Advanced class as materials are developed by the teacher. Each term covers a number of topics, which may include Indonesian current affairs, political, social and economic issues, films, short stories, poetry and popular music, with discussion in Indonesian. Print and video material is provided by the teacher.
Class Dates & Fees
Classes follow Victorian school term dates. Dates for 2026 are listed below.
Language class participants must enrol and pay class fees before the start of term. All participants are required to be members of AIAV. Other attractions of membership include monthly conversation evenings (malam ngobrol), talks, dinners, and the bi-monthly AIAV News. If you have not joined yet, you can click here to do so.
An earlybird discount of 10% is available to participants who pay in advance for a full term at least 14 days before the commencement of classes.
Sorry, but we can’t accept payment in instalments or week-by-week. Rates for the Face to Face classes are shown below.
| Term | Number of sessions | Start date | End date | Full Rate | Earlybird Discount (10% off) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | 8 sessions | 5 February | 26 March | $320 | $288 |
| Term 2 | 8 sessions | 30 April | 18 June | $320 | $288 |
| Term 3 | 8 sessions | 23 July | 10 September | $320 | $288 |
| Term 4 | 8 sessions | 8 October | 26 November | $320 | $288 |
REFUND POLICY FOR LANGUAGE CLASS FEE IS AS FOLLOWS:
In order to determine a student’s eligibility for a refund or credit of language class fees, AIAV must first receive written notice of withdrawal and request of refund or credit from the student either by a signed letter or email to language@aiav.org.au.
Once AIAV receive your refund request, we will assess it on its merits and notify you of the status of your refund.
Refund or credit will only be given when the notice is received within 5 days prior to your next scheduled class in that particular term.
Please note that refunds will only be given for discontinuation of the study for the rest of that particular term.
If your refund request is approved, we will initiate a refund either in the form of credit or fund transfer to your bank account (please provide banking details) within 30 days of the approval date.
AIAV reserves the right to amend its policies and fee structure whenever considered necessary and appropriate to reflect changes in economic conditions. It is the students’ responsibility to ensure that they are informed and aware of this policy.
Textbooks
Kelas Pengantar does not use a textbook but specific introductory materials.
Kelas Pemula uses Asyik Berbahasa Indonesian 1 and other teaching materials.
Kelas Madya Bawah & Kelas Madya use Asyik Berbahasa Indonesia 2 and other teaching materials.
Kelas Madya Atas uses Asyik Berbahasa Indonesia 3 and other teaching materials.
Kelas Mahir does not use a textbook but refers to articles and media.
You may find this textbook available to buy online at:
Immersion Courses
AIAV also runs immersion language courses for adults and secondary school students, based in Indonesia. For more information please visit the IndoAustay website.
Enquiries
For inquiries about language classes, please contact language@aiav.org.au.