Tetum 4
UndergraduateANU-TETM20052025
Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Build up your Tetum language skills and knowledge to an intermediate level. Get ready to engage with Timorese people on useful topics including work, health, the environment and government. Deepen your understanding of Timor-Leste's society.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 13 July 2025
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 14 weeks
- Price from
- $1,700
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Tetum 4
About this subject
On satisfying the requirements of this subject, students will have the knowledge and skills at an Intermediate level to:
- Using an active vocabulary of about 3500 words; read and understand short authentic written texts with a help of a dictionary.
- Understand, use and translate a broad range of sentence structures in extended texts on a range of non-technical topics such as work roles, administration, law and government, violence, environment, and the history of Timor-Leste.
- Communicate in speaking with spontaneity and confidence on topics including discussion of gender roles, Timor-Leste-Australia relations, law and crime, and health; write simple passages on non-technical topics with a fair degree of accuracy.
- Demonstrate an understanding of cultural issues and current affairs in Timor-Leste, including such topics as dating and romance, the environment, and Timor-Leste’s place in the world
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.
- Suade (health)
- Badinas ka Baruk-teen (Diligent or lazy)
- Kuidadu-an (Taking care of yourself)
- Data no Konvite (Dates and Invitations)
- Serbisunu'udar saida (Working roles)
- Administrasaun (Administration)
- Marka enkontru (Making appointments)
- Governu (Government)
- Meu Ambiente (Environment)
- History
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 are important of course, but 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 to 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 three-hour session a week. Students who complete this language minor will reach an Intermediate level of Tetum skills and knowledge.
In this course, students will improve their Tetum language skills to an intermediate proficiency. Students will learn how to discuss and write about a variety of topics including government officials and functions, health, the environment, and Timorese history.
- 4 x written tests (20%)
- Mid term oral test (20%)
- Final oral test (20%)
- Translation assignment (10%)
- Listening and summarising test (10%)
- Class participation (10%)
- Oral presentation (10%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
Prior study
To help set you up for success before you start this subject, we suggest completing or having equivalent knowledge in:
Others
Completion of TETM2004 Tetum 3 or demonstration of equivalent level through completion of a placement test. Students with prior knowledge of the language will be required to take a placement test. Students are not permitted to enrol in a subject that is lower than the level they achieve in the
placement test, or a lower level than a subject they have already completed. Students without the appropriate level of proficiency for ANU-TETM2005 (Tetum 4) will be withdrawn from this subject and we will recommend an alternative subject at the correct level.
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.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
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