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Three CEFR Levels
The three CEFR Indonesian language proficiency levels A, B, and C are subdivided into six levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2. The lowest level is A1 where you can say not much more than a few sentences. If this is all what you want to achieve, then do not invest into Indonesian Online. Babble is all you need. But, remember, you will likely not surpass the babble stage.
It takes about 180 learning hours to progress from one CEFR level to the other. To reach the A2 level, you’ll need to put in about 180 hours. The Indonesian Way has 113 lessons, and by its completion (ca. 220 hours of learning), you should have reached at least A2. At this stage you “can understand sentences and frequently used expressions and you are able to communicate in simple and routine tasks”.
You need a total of 360 hours of learning to reach B1.Once you have completed Baca Yuk and Aneka Baca you have easily completed B1.
B2 is the sweet level. Most people who have reached this level of proficiency in Indonesian after an estimated 540 hours of learning feel completely comfortable in their new language environment: They “can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party.”
Wow, that’s probably all you need. Most learners will never feel the need to progress beyond the B2 level, but if you want to become really professional, you must invest a total of 720 hours of learning to reach C1.
At the C1 level, you will be able to “understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express yourself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. You can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes, and can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.”
Can Indonesian Online bring you to C1? In order to reach C1 you need an estimated 720 hours of instruction whereas Indonesian Online only offers a total of about 650 hours.
Well, some students progress faster than other. Those who are devoted and talented can easily reach the C1 level and read texts at the C2 level using Serba Serbi Nusantara.
How to reach C2? If you are at C1 and you want to reach C2 we strongly suggest starting with Serba Serbi Nusantara, Anak Jalanan and Ada Apa dengan Cinta.
In other words, Indonesian Online can boost your proficiency level “only” to C1.
If you really need to achieve C2 proficiency, you need ample of speaking practice. You also need to read widely. We recommend:
- the newspaper Kompas, the weekly magazine Tempo, and the online
- reading literary works, both classic and contemporary
- reading Indonesian Online Journals in your field of interest or discipline of research
- and, in order to boost your listening proficiency, we suggest the popular Indonesian news outlets on Youtube.
For a comprehensive lists of our textbooks, what they entail, the approximate amount of learning hours, mode of delivery, media used, and style of language (formal vs colloquial), please consult the following table:
Recommendation: the best course for your proficiency level
We do have many excellent language learning materials to study the Indonesian language (bahasa Indonesia), but what material is best for you? If you are a complete beginner, then the question is easy to answer: «The Indonesian Way» is the entrance levels textbook for learners who have just started to study the Indonesian language. If you are not a novice, you should test your proficiency in Indonesian by completing our self-assessment test for the Indonesian language.
If you already speak the Indonesian language, and want to assess your proficiency level, you may want to check out our Indonesian Reading Competence Test (B1 to C2).
On this page you can test yourself whether you are a beginner (A1-A2), an intermediate (B1-B2), or an advanced learner (C1-C2) of the Indonesian language (bahasa Indonesia).
The following is the descriptions of the Levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CERF). Find out your current proficiency level, and follow our recommendation.
| Level | Description |
|---|---|
|
A1 |
Basic—Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help. Recommendation: If you are an A1 learner (Beginner), you should start with Lesson 1 of «The Indonesian Way». |
|
A2 |
Lower Intermediate—Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need. Recommendation: If you are an A2 learner (Elementary), you should start with Module 4 of «The Indonesian Way». You should also download the Anki vocabulary flashcards for modules 1 to 3 to make sure that you master the basic vocabulary that is required. |
|
B1 |
Intermediate—Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst traveling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes & ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. Recommendation: If you are a B1 learner (Intermediate), we recommend that you use «Baca Yuk!» and «AnekaBaca» as your main textbooks. |
|
B2 |
Upper Intermediate—Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options. Recommendation: If you are a B2 learner (Upper Intermediate), you should start with Lessons 15-30 of «AnekaBaca» followed by «Anak Jalanan» and «Serba Serbi Nusantara». |
|
C1 |
Advanced—Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices. Recommendation: If you are a C1 learner (Advanced), we recommend «Anak Jalanan» and «Serba Serbi Nusantara». If you are interested in learning Jakarta Malay, consider «Ada Apa Dengan Cinta». |
|
C2 |
Proficiency—Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in the most complex situations. Recommendation: If you are a C2 learner (Proficiency), you will benefit most from «Serba Serbi Nusantara». If you are interested in learning Jakarta Malay, consider «Ada Apa Dengan Cinta». |
A Temple in Bali, Indonesia