Our beginner-level textbook, «The Indonesian Way», has been reviewed by Dr. Jessica Fox, who holds a Ph.D. in Second Language Studies from Michigan State University. The review was published in her article Toward a task-based textbook for Indonesian language learning in the Journal of the National Council of Less Commonly Taught Languages, Vol. 19 .
Dr. Fox starts her review by stating “I find this textbook to be particularly useful for today’s Indonesian language teachers because the methods promoted in this textbook are current and can be supplemented well by teachers who adhere to task-based language teaching principles. This textbook falls in line with the aims of communicative and task-based language teaching for a number of reasons. First, the tasks in which the students learn grammar, vocabulary, and cultural insights will directly impact their ability to communicate in authentic ways, fulfilling Long’s (2015) call for pedagogic tasks that are relevant, motivating to students, and approximate real-world language use. Explicit lessons on grammar are embedded within the broader context of what students need to know to be polite and best understood by Indonesian interlocutors.”
The author is also highly appreciative of our “spaced repetition system of vocabulary acquisition,” referring to our Anki vocabulary flashcards, and concludes her review with the following summary:
In summary, this textbook is an invaluable staple for learning and teaching the Indonesian language. Indonesian is a Less Commonly Taught (LCTL) and critical language as identified by the U.S. Department of State due to its growing importance to global politics, religion, culture, and geography. Nonetheless, there are few Indonesian textbooks that are up-to-date, available for free, age appropriate for adults, and weave cultural learning alongside language development. This textbook is an excellent resource for language teachers who are looking for interactive, interesting, and task-based lessons.
Needless to say, we are very happy to have received such a wonderful review from such a competent scholar in the field of Second Language Studies.