Apa ini? Apa itu? is a simple monologue introducing you to Indonesian, or Bahasa Indonesia. Phrases are repeated often but with space to 'almost forget'. If you'd like more information, want to join our mailing list with Bahasa pointers, or you want a teacher, simply send us an
email.
Listen to the audio while you read the story.
Apa ini? / Apa itu? : (What's this? / What's that?)
(notice that definitions are provided for every new word, and try holding your mouse over the words in the dialogue.)
So... that gives you a feeling for how we start learning. The student is quickly introduced to 10-20 words and they're repeated many times but in a natural manner where the idea is 'clear'. For more difficult languages, like Japanese and Russian, we take an even slower pace, but the same method will have your reading the alphabet in no time.
The key is to immediately begin developing a feel for the rhythm of the new language. Get your ear and mouth working first, and you will begin absorbing the grammar naturally, without realizing it, and when you start to study the grammar, you'll be amazed at how much you already 'know' or at least have a sense of.
Either try another dialogue with 'Apa ini? Apa itu?' or try some exercises with this portion of the dialogue.
There are many other stories, dialogues and lessons which focus on a basic vocabulary of about 50 words. Progress at your own speed, and when you're ready, move on to some of the other more advanced material... and enjoy!
Vocabulary Exercises: Notice that the vocabulary exercises, like everything else, is set up to help students progress in very, very small steps. Doing such results in something more like a ramp which you can ride up very quickly versus struggling up giant steps that you can barely reach with your finger tips while standing on your tip-toes.
An immense amount of time is 'wasted' trying to do exercises that are 'too difficult'. You should try and do all the exercises quickly; seconds for each question; allowing your intuitive answer to come out, and to quickly see what you know and what you don't know. Taking a lot of time to get the wrong answer anyway is just that, 'wasted' time.
The next step from the format shown on the left, is to try and give the bahasa word from the given English word. Some students will progress very quickly to this level, others will take longer. It doesn't matter, just go at your own pace.
