Enrolments for this year have closed.
Keep exploring subjects
Undergraduate | ANU-TETM1002-2023
Tetum 1
Immerse yourself in the official language of Timor-Leste. Flick through newspaper articles written in Tetum. Work on pronunciation and intonation. Assemble the fundamental language building blocks that allow you to discuss food, clothes and homes.
Study method
100% online
Assessments
100% online
Entry requirements
Prior study needed
Duration
12 weeks
Start dates
- 20 Feb 2023
About this subject
What you'll learn
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Recognise and pronounce all Tetum vowels and consonants with appropriate intonation.
- Use an active vocabulary of about 1000 items.
- Learn the usage of appropriate grammatical structures and recognise and produce basic phrase and sentence structures to allow short conversations and the reading, writing, and translation of short, basic texts.
- Communicate verbally and in writing, using simple phrases, on such topics as greetings, family, food, clothes, homes, transport, and animals.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the culture and everyday life of Timor-Leste, including such topics as home life, food culture, and local fashions.
In order to achieve these learning outcomes, each week students are expected to study for five hours as follows:
- 90 minutes, before online class, working on the written and audio materials for the week, and, memorising the written and spoken forms of that week’s vocabulary
- 120 minutes, participating in class in the virtual class room
- 60 minutes, completing online follow-up exercises regarding listening, speaking, reading and writing skills and vocabulary
- 30 minutes, completing weekly assessment and quiz.
It is also expected that students should spend at least 5 hours of individual study practising the week’s written and spoken language forms and vocabulary and reviewing feedback on their work.
- Greetings
- Food and drinks
- Meat
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- Clothes
- Body parts
- House
- Lounge room
- Bedroom
Tetum is the language of Timor-Leste. The study of Tetum is essential for anyone wishing to understand Timor-Leste's diverse society, vibrant culture and dynamic history. Timor-Leste is a close neighbour of Australia and ties between these two countries are increasing through bilateral initiatives and international security, trade and development projects.
Tetum is a spoken language, because prior to independence in 2002 most Timorese did not have access to education and literacy rates was low. Reading and writing in Tetum is mainly to give students a strong foundation in speaking skills, and the emphasis in the course will be developing oral skills because Tetum is primarily an oral language.
The ANU offers a rare opportunity to complete a minor in Tetum. Students completing a minor in Tetum will be uniquely placed to engage with the Timorese people, state, and society. Communications skills in Tetum will facilitate future opportunities in Immigration and
Customs, Hospitality, Travel and Tourism, Commercial Import/Exports or in the broad ranging Aid sectors, or, to work as a professional translator/interpreter.
The four courses needed to complete the minor are only offered online so can be studied from any location, but classes will be delivered on a weekly basis throughout the semester comprising of three-hour session a week. Students who complete this language minor will reach an Intermediate level of Tetum skills and knowledge. In this introductory course, students will gain a practical command of beginner spoken Tetum, and an elementary capacity to read Tetum newspaper articles with the help of a dictionary.
By the end of the course, students should have an active vocabulary of approximately 1000 of the most frequently used and useful words in Tetum. Students will have covered the main features in grammar of Tetum and will have a command of the pronunciation of the Tetum language.
Via face-to-face video at a set time prescribed by the University. Please be aware of potential time zone differences.
- 4 x Quizzes: testing your vocabulary every third week (10%)
- 4 x Written tests: The test will examine your knowledge of the vocabulary, verbs, exercises and readings including dialogues you have completed to date (20%)
- Assignment translation: Translation of an article from Tetum into English. (10%)
- 2 x Oral tests: The oral examinations are to test your communicative competence. Marks will be awarded for capacity to communicate in Tetum in a conversation situation. Marks will be allocated for correctness of pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary (40%)
- Homework: weekly homework tasks (10%)
- Class participation and activities (10%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
Australian National University is a world-leading university in Australia’s capital city, Canberra. With ties to the Australian Government, they have special standing as a resource for the Australian people. Their approach to education ensures graduates are in demand the world-over for their abilities to address complex contemporary challenges. Offering innovative online subjects from beginning to advanced levels through Open Universities Australia, they meet varied students’ needs and goals.
Learn more about ANU.
Explore ANU courses.
QS Ranking 2023: 1
Times Higher Education Ranking 2023: 5
Entry requirements
Others
Additional requirements
- Equipment requirements - To successfully engage in this subject students will need the following: - Laptop or computer - Computer camera (either inbuilt or webcam) - Headset with microphone - Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome browser - Reliable internet access - Access to a scanner or smartphone.
- Other requirements - This is a fast paced academic course at a University level.
Single subject FAQs
Single subjects are the individual components that make up a degree. With Open Universities Australia, you’re able to study many of them as stand-alone subjects, including postgraduate single subjects, without having to commit to a degree.
Each of your subjects will be held over the course of a study term, and they’ll usually require 10 to 12 hours of study each week. Subjects are identified by a title and a code, for example, Developmental Psychology, PSY20007.
First, find the degree that you would like to study on our website.
If that degree allows entry via undergraduate subjects, there will be information about this under the Entry Requirements section. You will find a list of 2-4 open enrolment subjects you need to successfully complete to qualify for admission into that qualification.
Once you pass those subjects, you will satisfy the academic requirements for the degree, and you can apply for entry.
Our student advisors are here to help you take that next step, so don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re ready! We’ve also made it easier to figure out the right way to get started on our pathways page.
Our student advisors are more than happy to help you plan your online study. Get in touch with an advisor by:
You can pay up front with your credit card, or you may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government depending on your citizenship status and where you’ll live during your studies.
For more information about how to pay for your studies visit our fees page or contact a student advisor.
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Enrol now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions .
Close of enrolment times vary between universities and subjects. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting key dates.