Reviews of Alam Bahasa, Yogyakarta

My first contact with Alam Bahasa was 2 years ago when I attended the school for just 20 hours of tuition over 5 days. It was a wonderful experience - so much so that I returned a month ago - and completed another 28 hours.

Everything about the school is professional - from the moment you enrol to the day you leave. One on one tuition ensures students get the most out of the hours they spend there. Lessons are tailored to your level and to your needs.

At the first session you are asked what you want to achieve and the program is structured to focus on this. Students work with several teachers during their course and the communication between the teachers is excellent. The lessons are fun and as challenging as you want them to be.

The environment is attractive, comfortable and welcoming. Yes it is a school but even more so a community, with all staff interested in the progress and wellbeing of all students. The weekly lunches and optional cultural classes and excursions add further experiences to the well planned curriculum.

Students travel from around the world to attend Alam Bahasa which speaks volumes about the quality of the courses, the competence of the teachers and the philosophy of the school.

I can highly recommend Alam Bahasa to anyone wanting to learn Indonesian in Yogja.

I've just completed three weeks one-to-one (90 hours) with Alam in Yogya, March 2011, and have to say I have been entirely impressed. They are a thoroughly professional and well-run organisation with an extremely high standard of teaching, great admin/facilities/attention to detail and lovely people to boot.

Some nice extras thrown-in like the field trips (Borobodur, Gunung Merapi etc), batik/Javanese dance/Indonesian cookery courses (beef rendang - enak enak!), airport pick-up/drop-off and Thursday lunches. In summary: excellent in all aspects. I struggle to see how this school could have been any better and give it a massive thumbs up.

For anyone needing accommodation nearby, I can also recommend Heru Homestay, within walking distance of the school, which can be organised either through the school or directly with Ibu Heru. If anyone would like further info I can be contacted on the Lonely Planet Thorn Tree forum as Standanista.