Introduction

Center for Indonesian Studies (CIS) BIPA, in its approach to teaching Indonesian to foreigners, aims to cultivate a balance of speaking and writing competence both in formal and colloquial Indonesian. The formal variant is essential for reading or interchange with officials and educated people generally. The colloquial Indonesian offered in lessons is understood by most speakers of the languange even when their variants differ.

Emphasis during the first few weeks of the instruction is on oral learning. Insofar as possible Indonesian is the exclusive language in the classroom. This communicative and integrated approach begins with everydau exchanges of real life-situations students encounter in streets, stores, offices, and on buses or trains, and not less important at the indonesian homes they live in. Students are individually guided by peer-tutor to activate classroom learning in living situations. Grammar, reading, and vocabulary drill are brought in early, only after students have the capacity to actively engage in Indonesia.