Frequently Asked Questions

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   What's the difference of Puri and Alam Bahasa?

   When we started Puri Indonesian Language Plus we concentrated on the language classes. Then we have been moving fast with our business which is not just limited to the language classes but culture and traveling. With the name Alam Bahasa (alam means nature) we accommodate combined programs of language learning and culture and traveling. The various programs provide you with more cultural experiences. Everything is the same: the owners, teachers, and staff but the name and spirit.

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   What language programs are available?

   Our language programs cover the beginner to the advanced levels.
   The brief description of what each program/level contains is as
   follows:

   • Communicative Beginner Program (60 hours)
     
     - basic conversation
     
     - simple basic sentences

   
   

   • Fluent Communicator Program (60 hours)
     
     - free conversation by using basic sentence structures
     
     - the usage of passive voice, the widely used style in Indonesian conversation
     
     - complex sentences consisting of 2 clauses
     
     - derived verbs

   
   

   • Natural Communicator Program (60 hours)
     
     - recognizing the society habits to manage successful
     socialization
     
     - complex sentences of 2 or more clauses
     
     - derived nouns
   • Advanced Communicator (60 hours)
     
     - diction
     
     - formal discussions, presentation, and writing
     
     - language in news media
   • Working Indonesian (60 hours)
     
     - technical terms and contexts tailored to the learners' need
     

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   How long are the language programs?

   Every level is to be completed in 60 hours.

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   How many days will the 60-hour program take?

   An intensive program with 6 hours of lesson per day needs 10 days (or 2 weeks with Mondays to Fridays). If you prefer to have 4 hours per day, a 3-week program will suit you.

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   I would like to attend Alam Bahasa program for more than one month. Can Alam Bahasa help me with the visa?

   We can help you by sending you an invitation letter which you will need for applying a "sosial budaya" visa from the Indonesian Embassy. To get this letter you need to register and pay for a 60-hour program.

   The visa is valid for 60 days (in some countries, 30 days). Around 10 days before the visa expires you must go to the Immigration office in Yogya to extend the visa. The extension will give you 30 more days to stay in Indonesia. For the extension you will need to complete the form, give your passport, visa, a sponsor letter from our school, and a photocopy of the following items: passport, visa, and the completed form. The cost for the visa extension at the moment is Rp 250,000. The form costs Rp 7,000 - 12,000 depending on extension 1 or 2. The extension can be done 3 times, or you can stay 150 days with the sosial budaya visa. After that you need to get out of Indonesia and can come back with a new sosial budaya visa. You can get it in the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur for example.

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   Does the 20% discount for university student apply to all programs?

   No, it applies to the regular language (Indonesian and Javanese) programs only, does not apply to the Bahasa & outdoor packages.

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   When is the latest time to register?

   To enable the best arrangements we expect your registration at least one week before the starting date for regular programs and a 2 weeks notice for programs which needs special preparation, such as advanced classes with "Bahasa Indonesia for specific purposes" materials sent by the students to be used in class.

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   When does the program start?

   The program starts anytime, especially Mondays. The 1-1 class composition enables us to start a new class anytime upon requests.

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   I want to learn Indonesian in Alam Bahasa but cannot come to Yogyakarta. Any solution?

   We have been experienced in conducting classes in Jakarta, Bogor, and Bali. So, we can send our teachers to teach in your office or home. Just email us for further information.

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    How do I pay my homestay?

    You pay the homestay directly to the homestay family.

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    What about other accommodation like student boarding house?

    Cheaper hotels which are close to Alam Bahasa range from Rp 85,000-Rp 140,000. There are cheap hotels in tourist area at the center, about 4.5 kilometers from Alam Bahasa. Rooms cost Rp 30,000-Rp 200,000. Student boarding houses vary from Rp 300,000 to Rp 1,000,000 per month without meals.

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    How much is the accommodation cost?

    The current cost ranges (May 2007) are
    homestay
    for non airconditioned room (including breakfast, dinner, and laundry) : Rp 50,000 - Rp 75,000 per day
    for airconditioned room (including breakfast, dinner, and laundry): Rp 90,000 - Rp 125,000 per day
    hotel with corporate rate
    3-star hotel : start from Rp 288,000/night
    4-star hotel : start from Rp 429,000/night
    5-star hotel : start from Rp 545,000/night
    for high seasons extra hotel cost will apply

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    Will I be the only foreign student in a homestay?

    Different from the classical concept of home stay in which one family accepts one foreign students, we have various homestay families. Several homestay families have one room only for a student, while some other families have many rooms. The first will fit students who would like to be immersed in Indonesian living, while the latter fits those who want to practice Bahasa Indonesia with the family and meeting other students as well.

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    Which accommodation should I choose, hotel or homestay?

    If you are accustomed to hotel facilities and their standard, you may like to have the same thing here. For this, staying in a hotel will be a good alternative. Homestay will be a good alternative if you would like more communication practices in Indonesian language. Staying in a homestay will also enable you to have experiences of the family live in Indonesia.

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    Does Alam Bahasa help me find accommodation? What kind of accommodation do you offer?

    Yes, we provide you with a list of hotels and homestays for your consideration and will help you make the reservation.

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    I want to concentrate on language training during the week and would like to visit the temples on Sunday. What do you suggest?

    We can help you arrange the transportation for rent.

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    What if I want a field trip with a teacher but cannot manage to have 30 learning hour?

    When you have less than 30 lesson hours and would like to include the field trip/cultural course, the following extra cost will be charged:
    for field trips to Borobudur Temple & Prambanan Temple: 15 USD per student per field trip.
    for field trip to Imogiri Noble Cemetery and cultural courses: 5 USD per student per field trip/cultural course.

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    Is it possible to have field trips and/or cultural courses when I sign up for regular language classes instead of the "Bahasa Indonesia & Outdoor Programs"?

    Yes, it is possible to include a field trip or a cultural course in your learning hours as long as you have a minimum of 30 learning hours. When you have a minimum of 30 learning hours a cultural course can be included. For example, you sign up for a 30-hour regular language program and you choose to include the cooking course (2 hours). In this way you will have 28 hours of class lessons and 4 hours of field trip. If you would like to have a field trip or more cultural courses, additional charge will be applied.

    For a minimum of 60-hour lessons you can include one cultural course or field trip to every 30 lesson hours.

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    What does a field trip include?

    A teacher (who will explain to you about the site and invite you to practice Bahasa Indonesia), the transportation, entrance ticket, and snacks.

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    What are FIELD TRIP AND CULTURAL PROGRAM?

    Field trip (going with a teacher to a cultural site)
    Cultural course (learning batik painting / dancing / cooking class with a teacher)

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    Do you teach other languages?

    We teach Javanese language, the local language here, and English. Further info on our language services: www.allplusjogja.com

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    I'd like to take this program but would like to stay in a hotel instead of home stay. Will the cost be reduced?

    No, the home stay accommodation in BAHASA INDONESIA & OUTDOOR PROGRAM is complimentary in this package, so the package cost won't change if one of the activities or facilities is not taken.

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    Who is my teacher?

    A group of teachers are responsible for one class. One of them is the class coordinator who arranges the lesson plan for the class. All of them write a report after teaching to guarantee that the group can always monitor the class progress.The teachers are more than ready to be the friends of the learners, instead of being the conventional teacher. This is done so that the learners can feel more relax in their Indonesian learning. In fact, it is always a friendly and familiar atmosphere is what we always try to build in Alam Bahasa.

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    I would like to learn in a group but I come by myself. Can Alam Bahasa find me a classmate?

    Normally we do not provide classmates as most of our learners wish to study in a 1-1 composition. It's because each of them have specific request that they wish to achieve upon the completion of training. It is only when we know that there is a learner candidate who would like to have a group that we can try to arrange a class together for that learner candidate and you. We understand that you prefer a group class for some reason, but we can assure you that learning in a 1-1 class would be the most effective as all class activities are totally tailored to your needs and learning style. In a certain course length you would gain more than what you do in a group class within the same course length.

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    How many learners are there in a class?

    Classes are for 1-4 learners. Classes of more than 1 learner should be formed by the learners themselves and should consist of learners with the same level of Indonesian language competence.

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    Can I bring my own learning materials as I need to focus on certain terminologies for my job?

    Yes, we can use those materials. In order that the teachers can prepare your class well, please give us a copy of the materials.

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    I need to manage contextual communication at work but have never learned Bahasa Indonesia before. My time is limited too. What can you offer?

    We have "Bahasa Indonesia for Specific Purposes" program to accommodate beginners who need to master technical language.

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    I want to be able to read newspapers. Can I go directly to the advanced level??

    We understand your need and certainly it needs time and some process to come to that stage if your level of Indonesian language competence is still lower. To go to the complex sentences without having mastered the basic and intermediate structures would be very hard. Therefore, to meet your need, we suggest that you go with the learning materials that meet your level while some introductory newspaper materials will also be included in the learning program. The introductory program will enable you to recognize topics presented in the newspapers, the diction, and typical vocabulary of newspaper writing.

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    Do I have to complete a certain level of program?

    To complete the whole level will be very good as you will reach a certain stage of competence as targeted by each level. However, when you have limited time which doesn't enable you to complete the one level, you can learn part of the learning materials during your learning period.

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    I have been able to speak some Indonesian. Do I get an assessment test?

    Yes, we will give you an assessment test. Besides, the test can be done informally by reviewing the basic materials, through which the teacher will check your mastery on the basic structures and make necessary corrections.

We are so sorry you are still unable to find the answer of your question. Please contact us directly or send us a question through following form. We will get back to you soon.