Bahasa, Behaviour and Bermain Upper Primary Unit Studies of Asia Learning Emphasis Developing concepts of Asia Specific Indonesia focus: Demonstrate an awareness of correct behaviour in an Indonesian context. Master some simple everyday Indonesian expressions. Learn how to play Congklak. Students explore verbal and non-verbal language in the Indonesian context. Students learn rules of correct behaviour, words in Bahasa Indonesia, and learn to play (bermain) Congklak. Actions Speak Louder than Words Playing Congklak Bahasa Indonesia Teaching and Learning Activities Actions Speak Louder than Words Setting the scene Brainstorm with students the various ways in which communication occurs without spoken words, eg: facial gestures, hand movements, body language. Ask students if they know of examples from other cultures. What do these actions mean and what happens if someone misinterprets them or uses the wrong gesture at the wrong time or in inappropriate ways? Ask students if non-verbal signals can be as powerful as verbal commmunication. The Indonesian context Explain to students that Indonesian people use non-verbal signals and behaviour which we do not use in Australia but which are very important rules of Indonesian etiquette. They should be observed by Indonesians and non-Indonesians alike in Indonesian settings. Divide the class into small groups. Give each group one address from the following list: Understanding Asia - Indonesia: Welcoming, Greetings and Gestures/Dos and Don'ts http://www.tq.com.au/industry/international/understanding-asia/indonesia.cfm#wgg Indonesian Language: Greetings, Courtesies and Salutations http://www.indoinfo.com/language/greetings.htm Some Dos and Don'ts in Indonesia http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/indonesia/indonesia_brief.html#cust Each group's task is to dramatise some of the points about correct behaviour in an Indonesian context so that the rest of the class can work out what the rules are. For example: 'Besides modesty in dress, modesty in behaviour is also a respected practice. Therefore, excessive displays of anger, affection, laughter, frustration or sadness are not considered favourably'. (From the website Some Dos and Don'ts in Indonesia.) After watching the dramatisations, the class records 'the do's and taboos' of Indonesian etiquette. Playing Congklak The following activity uses a procedural text (the rules for playing the Indonesian game of Congklak) to convey the idea that communication can take many forms, ie the rules have communicated with the student if the student can successfully play the game. Setting the scene The website Indonesian Children's Games http://www.expat.or.id/info/games.html describes many popular Indonesian children's games, such as Congklak, and the toys used, such as kuda lumping (woven bamboo horse). You may like to use this information in serveral ways, eg read the instructions and have the students play the games; model the steps in creating a procedural text using one of the games as an example. An outline of a kuda lumping is included on the Bermain and Bahasa Activity Sheet provided for students to decorate. Playing the game The Indonesian game Congklak is known in parts of Africa as Mancala. Although the Indonesian Children's Games site (see above) shows elaborate equipment, it is possible to play a very exciting round of Congklak simply by using a piece of A3 paper divided into squares, and gravel or lima beans instead of fancy shells. Students print out the procedure for playing Congklak from: Congklak: Instructions for Play http://www.expat.or.id/info/congklakinstructions.html and play the game in pairs. Students evaluate this activity by teaching other children in the school how to play the game. Bahasa Indonesia The site below has sound, and students can learn to say some simple Indonesian words and phrases. Teachers may like to use some Indonesian in their daily classroom routines, eg saying Selamat pagi (Good morning) when the students arrive at school; having the days of the week and months of the year displayed in Indonesian on cards for the students to change each day, eg Hari ini hari Senin (Today is Monday). The vocabulary for greetings (and, more importantly, their correct pronunciation) can be found on the following site (no special software required): Indonesian in 7 Days http://www.seasite.niu.edu/indonesian/percakapan/ indonesia7days/indo7days_fs.htm It has an easy step-by-step guide to learning the basics of Bahasa Indonesian, includes sound files for all words and phrases, and has dictionaries for translating between Bahasa and English. Note: The student activity sheets are available in PDF format and require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader plug-in to view and print them out. The Acrobat Reader plug-in can be downloaded from the Adobe website.   | Classroom Resources | Curriculum Guides | Resources | Go Indonesia! | Home | Access Asia Lesson Plans  Commonwealth of Australia and Curriculum Corporation