Learn Indonesian in Singapore
Speak Bahasa Indonesia with the people who matter to you. You learn in a class of 3 to 8 with a native Indonesian teacher, at Tanjong Pagar or online. Finish a level, then repeat it free when there's space in the class.
Why adults choose us over apps, tutors and big classes
Apps are good for vocabulary. What most adults struggle with is speaking out loud, so that's what our classes practise most.
You speak in every lesson
With 3 to 8 learners, nobody hides at the back. Role plays and real conversations start in your first class.
A native Indonesian teacher
Our teachers grew up speaking Bahasa Indonesia and teach in English. They explain the everyday Indonesian that textbooks leave out.
Repeat a level free
Finished Basic A? Sit in on a later Basic A class at no charge, as long as there's room.
Six levels, one clear path
Basic and Intermediate follow our own course book, and Advanced uses a published textbook. It takes you from your first word to work meetings, and you keep your place if you switch teacher or class.
How we compare
| What you get | Learn Indonesian Hub | Language apps | Large group courses | One-to-one tutors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Native Indonesian teacher | Yes, in every class | No teacher | Varies | Varies |
| Speaking time | High: 3 to 8 learners per class | Mostly tapping and listening | Shared across a bigger class | High |
| Repeat a level | Free and unlimited, when there's space in the class | Self-paced | Usually pay again | Pay per lesson |
| Learning path | Six levels, one clear path | Built into the app | Set syllabus | Depends on the tutor |
| Help between lessons | Free help during and after your course | Help pages | Varies | Varies |
| Where | Tanjong Pagar or online | On your phone | Varies | Varies |
Who are you learning for?
Most of our learners have someone in mind. Here's the first thing you'll be able to say to them.
Senang bertemu dengan Bapak dan Ibu.
Lovely to meet you, Sir and Madam. It's polite, and it's what Indonesian parents hope to hear.
"Now I can communicate better with my Indonesian fiance."
Start with Basic A, then Basic B. Private lessons if you're short on time.
Mari kita mulai rapatnya.
Let's start the meeting.
"It has helped improved my communications and building better bonds with my Indonesian colleagues and friends."
Start with Basic A in a group, or train your whole team.
Saya baru pindah ke Jakarta.
I've just moved to Jakarta.
"The classes were also flexible in time and day to work around business and family commitments."
Start with private lessons on your schedule, or Basic A in a group.
Berapa harganya? Boleh kurang?
How much is it? Can you go lower?
"Became more confident now when I travel to Indonesia for work or leisure."
Start with Basic A: greetings, food, numbers and bargaining.
Six levels in three stages. Here's what you'll say after each.
Every level is 12 lessons of 1.5 hours, one lesson a week. Never learned Indonesian formally? Basic A is usually the best place to start. Not sure? Ask us on WhatsApp.
- Stage 1
Beginner: Basic A and B
Kemarin saya makan di warung dekat kantor.
Yesterday I ate at a food stall near the office.
Greetings, numbers, food, travel and work, plus the Jakarta slang you'll hear every day.
See the beginner course - Stage 2
Intermediate A and B
Kalau ada waktu, saya mau ke Bandung akhir pekan ini.
If I have time, I want to go to Bandung this weekend.
How Indonesian builds words, so you can understand new ones and make your own.
See the intermediate course - Stage 3
Advanced A and B
Menurut saya, rencana ini perlu dibahas lagi dengan tim.
In my view, this plan needs another discussion with the team.
Longer reading, writing and discussion on everyday and cultural topics.
See the advanced course
Also available: private one-to-one lessons on your schedule, and exam preparation for school candidates.
Pay for a level once. Repeat it free.
If you want to keep getting better, we will help you as far as we can. That is why every level you finish stays open to you.
Finished Basic A and want another round before Basic B? Join a later Basic A class again, as often as you like, at no charge, when there's space in the class.
Classes take 8 learners at most, so review places open once paying learners are placed.
- 12 lessons of 1.5 hours
- 3 to 8 learners per class
- Free review classes for that level
- Course book included (Basic and Intermediate)
- Tanjong Pagar classroom or online
Speak some Malay? Watch these words.
Most Malay words carry straight over to Indonesian. A few change meaning across the Straits, and those are the ones that cause awkward moments.
percuma
Call a gift percuma in Jakarta and you've called it worthless. Say gratis instead.
kereta
In Indonesia a car is mobil. Kereta is what you catch at the station.
baja
Fertiliser in Indonesian is pupuk.
budak
Never call a child budak in Indonesia. Use anak.
Meet your native Indonesian teachers
Native Indonesian speakers who teach in English. Each has learned other languages too, so they know where beginners get stuck. Rated 5.0 from 283 Google reviews, and recommended on Facebook.
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Elysabet Salim
Bahasa Indonesia Teacher
Elysabet grew up in Indonesia and holds a degree from Parahyangan Catholic University, Bandung. She later came to Singapore on an ASEAN Scholarship to complete a Master of Science at the National University of Singapore. She is also a freelance translator between Indonesian and English. She teaches group, private and corporate classes at all levels, and learners describe her as patient and kind.
"I started with zero knowledge and finished feeling confident to understand simple conversations."
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Iwan Yang
Founder and Lead Teacher
Iwan Yang founded Learn Indonesian Hub and developed its Basic and Intermediate curriculum. He is an ACTA-certified adult trainer and a graduate of Singapore Management University. Iwan moved to Singapore at the age of 10 and learned English and Mandarin from scratch, so he explains Indonesian through the languages his learners already speak. He teaches all levels, from complete beginners to advanced learners.
"Trainer Iwan is passionate about teaching, fun to learn from and always patient in answering all our questions."
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Lia Vania Dewi
Bahasa Indonesia Teacher
Lia is a native Indonesian speaker who has taught Bahasa Indonesia since 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology, cum laude, from Atma Jaya Catholic University, Jakarta, and a Master of Science from the University of Lincoln, United Kingdom, on a full European Commission scholarship. A keen language learner, she has also studied Spanish and French. She teaches group, private and exam classes at all levels.
"I'm now confident of using Bahasa in casual setting eg ordering food and conversing with friends."
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Leonardo Alfoncius Mulyono
Bahasa Indonesia Teacher
Leonardo is a native Indonesian speaker who teaches all levels, in class and online. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the National University of Singapore, and also coaches basketball, working with learners of all ages. Learners consistently describe his classes as patient and well paced, and say he builds their confidence through regular conversation practice.
"After attending his class i can converse in indonesian and always find opportunity to speak the language."
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Training for teams that work with Indonesia
We plan the lessons around your team's meetings, site visits and client calls. They'll learn when to say Bapak and Ibu, and how to disagree politely. At your office or online.
Sampai jumpa di kelas.
See you in class.
Try a free 1-hour preview class
Meet a teacher, learn your first phrases and ask your questions. Online, with no commitment.
Questions before you start
Something else on your mind? Message us on WhatsApp.
Where can I learn Indonesian in Singapore?
At Learn Indonesian Hub, 250 Tanjong Pagar Road, St Andrew's Centre, #04-01, Singapore 088541. It is a 6-minute walk from Tanjong Pagar MRT. Classes also run online.
What does one level include?
12 lessons of 1.5 hours in a class of 3 to 8 learners, plus free review classes for that level after you finish. Basic and Intermediate levels include our own course book.
Can I repeat a level for free?
Yes. Once you finish a level, you can join any later class of that same level again, free, as often as you like. Classes have a maximum of 8 learners, so review places open once paying learners are placed. Message us before the start date and we'll tell you if there's space in the class.
Can I use SkillsFuture Credit for these courses?
No. Our Bahasa Indonesia courses cannot be paid with SkillsFuture Credit. You pay once for each level, and you can repeat that level free afterwards.
Is Indonesian hard to learn?
It's one of the easier Asian languages for English speakers. It uses the Latin alphabet, words are spelt the way they sound, and verbs don't change for tense or person.
I already speak Malay. Do I start at Basic A?
If you grew up speaking Malay, usually not. Much of Basic A's grammar and vocabulary overlaps with Malay, so private lessons suit you better. If you only learned some Malay at school, Basic A is usually the best place to start. Not sure? Ask us on WhatsApp for a short level assessment.