English is THE language of communication.
However, this wasn’t always the case when we look back at the history of Malaysia.
Back in the 14th century, it was the Malay language, or what we call Bahasa Melayu, that dominated Southeast Asia as the lingua franca of almost 300 million people who lived in the region.
From 1867 onwards, the British colonised Malaysia (then called Malaya) and this was marked at a time of Western imperialism in Asia.
Since then, English has been widely used in Malaysia as a medium of communication. The generation today has witnessed both the importance of speaking English as well as the need to learn English. Is there a difference between the two?
Spoken English is a means of at least being able to communicate with others while learning English is a comprehensive study of the English subject, consisting of writing, speaking, reading and listening. Do you see the difference now?
That is why it is crucial to complete an English course in this 21st century!
Wait a minute… is there a difference between the English language and English as a Second Language (ESL)?
What do English courses look like for non-native English speakers?
English education varies according to the type of English class or English course one undertakes. The English syllabus for public schools in Malaysia has been designed to follow the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Even if you take any English course in Malaysia, the road to mastery of the English language is generally paced according to your study year. This means that students progress from the basic English course level when they enter Standard 1 of primary school education until they have completed their final Form 5 year of secondary school education, with more advanced proficiency in English.
What about the other types of English courses?
English as a Second Language (ESL), English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and English as a Foreign Language (EFL) programmes are English courses developed to provide opportunities for international speakers to learn English with bilingual teachers.
These programmes make a high-quality English learning experience available throughout the globe via numerous platforms and learning centres. The classes are not limited to young learners as an English teacher with a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certification is also equipped with the skills to teach English to adults of any age.
The main focus of these alternative English courses is generally to improve an individual's skills in writing, speaking, and reading comprehension.
Completing any of these English courses with an English tutor at a learning centre means that you will work with learning materials like grammar worksheets and listening exercises, along with personalised guidance to improve your accent and pronunciation in English.
Usually, there will be at least 1 or 2 native English teachers available to help students correctly use English phrases for immersing themselves in the local community, especially if one is taking a business English course as a foreign speaker.
In addition, getting an ESOL certification is also available for students looking to go beyond just improving their reading comprehension skills (though we must emphasise that a good reading comprehension level is sure to help you understand complex literary references!). Completing the entire ESOL English course may lead to becoming a good writer or even a future English teacher!
Why non-native speakers must take an English course
You must be wondering why we are emphasising the need to take an English course in Malaysia, especially if you are a foreign speaker of the language or if you have just moved to the country. If you thought you could get by with just learning Bahasa Melayu, we’re here to counter that opinion!
Become a confident English speaker
Let’s face it: speaking in a language other than your mother tongue can sometimes give you butterflies in your stomach!
Did you know that it is common for EFL learners to experience anxiety when learning the English language?
Unfortunately, this phenomenon may discourage learners from fully engaging in their English courses or feel reluctant to participate during an English class.
That is why working closely with an English tutor in your business English course, or any other course for those learning English as a second language, can help you work on language areas that you want to strengthen. That could be trying to speak English like a local, learning to read the newspaper without fail or communicating your ideas and opinions in fluent English!
Over time, you will find that going for an English course has helped you improve in speaking, writing, listening and reading in English as compared to when you first heard the language. Don’t you feel more confident now that you can watch an English show without having to rely on the subtitles?
Get in touch with the locals
You would have likely heard others saying that it would help to know Bahasa Melayu, Mandarin, Bahasa Iban or other common languages that are spoken throughout Malaysia…
… but have you noticed you can use English almost anywhere you have travelled within the country?
Taking an English course in Malaysia will not only help you improve your English grammar and comprehension, but you can also pick up skills for engaging with the locals simply by using English.
The beauty of learning with a bilingual English teacher, especially if they have a TESOL certification, is that they are both familiar with the English language and the culture in which the language needs to be used. In this case, your English tutor will be able to guide you on how to use English in the Malaysian context, as opposed to using it as if you were living somewhere in the United Kingdom.
Expand career opportunities in new places
Most of the time, adult learners who are interested in taking up an English class usually involve themselves in some form of international business. You may even be one of the learners who have migrated to a new country where you have been required to pass a certain English level for visa approval.
However, it is not uncommon to use English as a medium of communication in any business worldwide. Familiarity with English has become a must in business, even if you are not a native speaker of the language
Just look at Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba - which has now become a global online trading platform.
He often preaches that everybody needs to look far beyond to achieve success, and is often mentioned for his unorthodox methods in picking up English as a child despite coming from a country where the language is rarely spoken.
Get inspired to take an English class near me after watching this brief documentary on Jack Ma learning English!
Click here for English courses in Seberang Perai!
What are ESL, ESOL and EFL English courses?
By breaking down the various English courses available in Malaysia, you will notice that getting into an English class is not very complicated. Likely, you have already heard about the different types of English programmes and which ones you should enrol in. Not to mention, the usual English class at school is also considered a compulsory English course.
Can you identify the differences between all these English programmes?
As we mentioned earlier, the road to mastering English via public school education will take quite a long time to complete - nearly 10 years! However, ESL, ESOL and EFL courses are designed to help students become fluent in English faster, without compromising a comprehensive and holistic approach to learning the language.
English as a Second Language (ESL) Course
When you take an ESL course, you are learning to use English to communicate in a second language. Usually, ESL courses are provided in countries where English is spoken as a dominant language or if it is the official language of the country. The goal of an ESL course is to improve a student’s level of English depending on their abilities, interests and needs.
English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Course
Unlike ESL, taking an EFL course means you are learning and using English as an additional language in a non-English-speaking country. If you are learning English in Taiwan, where Mandarin is the dominant language, that would make you an EFL learner.
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Course
Also referred to as English to Speakers of Other Languages, ESOL courses generally refer to English courses where English isn’t the main language of the learner. In cases where learners speak more than one language, English may be their third or even fourth language that they are picking up!
Many Malaysians are considered trilingual if they know English, Malay and Mandarin/ Tamil!
So, the use of the word “ESOL” can be applied to both ESL and EFL courses.
Here is a table to summarise the differences between ESOL, ESL and EFL.
| ESOL | ESL | EFL |
|---|---|---|
| English to Speakers of Other Languages | English as a Second Language | English as a Foreign Language |
| ESOL is applied to both ESL and EFL contexts | English is acquired as a means of communication | English is not the official language of the country |
| Students may be learning English in a native English-speaking country, but English could also be their third or fourth language | Students learn English in a country where English is spoken dominantly or where English is the official language | Students learn English in a non-English-speaking country |
In Malaysia, you can find a mixture of all of these different English courses scattered throughout the country, which we can say makes us unique. Why?
Since Malaysia was once a British colony, traces of British reign and culture continue to remain in our society. Before the 1970s, most schools in Malaysia used English as the main language of instruction before it was changed to Bahasa Melayu.
This is why we can observe most of our parents and elders speaking fluent English at home. Hence, we cannot say that English is a foreign language in Malaysia. We can note, however, that the most common English courses that we can see here are ESL and ESOL.
Check out the ESOL classes in Petaling Jaya.
What makes learning ESOL with an English tutor important?
In Malaysia, English is considered one of the major subjects as students need to pass their English language examinations to further their studies. Plus, mastering English is important for anyone who wants to keep pace with the changes in our society as the language continues to be vastly used by those working and dealing with people on an international scale.
Are you curious about where to find an English tutor in Ipoh?
If you are yet to sign up for an ESOL course with an English tutor, this is your sign that you should no longer delay the start of an important language-learning journey!
Significance of taking an ESOL course
- Aiming to Study Abroad – This is the main reason many people take an English course in Malaysia like ESOL in the first place. Taking an ESOL course helps you become familiar with speaking English and gain critical thinking skills for using the language in various daily life situations.
- Invaluable International Experience – Learning with an English tutor whose speciality is teaching ESOL enables you to mix with any English country’s native culture (or if English is the dominant language of the country). Students will be able to improve their language skills in a shorter period. There are also more opportunities to mingle with other students who share the same interest in wanting to communicate in English.
- Personal Development – Having a better understanding of English can empower your personal growth and help you improve intellectually. Almost all businesses and jobs will seek a fluent English speaker in their workplace anyway, so it helps to take a business English course during your ESOL studies.
No matter what the reasons are for someone who wants to learn English, any English course in Malaysia will offer them a great opportunity to improve and obtain important skills for working, living, and learning in today's world.
Are you looking for ESOL Classes in Shah Alam?
Where to find an English class near me in Malaysia?
Many prestigious English language centres in Malaysia offer a wide variety of English courses. The fees can be as low as RM 1,000 per course (for an English course that you can complete in 1-6 months) or as much as RM 10,000 per course. However, the fees depend on the learner’s age and the English class that has been chosen.
To provide you with a general idea of what to expect when you sign up for an ESOL or ESL course in Malaysia, these are some areas (but not limited to) that young learners/kids will encounter when having lessons with their English teacher:
- Phonics
- Primary school English
- Secondary school English
- Secondary IGCSE Preparation
For adults, the language areas/skills include (but are not limited to):
- IELTS Preparatory course
- English Speaking course
- Intensive English
- Business Skills
- Business Communication
The most common English language centres in Malaysia are the British Council Malaysia and Cambridge English for Life (CEFL) centres. They have a few branches set across Malaysia, including places in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kota Kinabalu, Taiping and more.
In addition to these two centres, the top English language centres in Malaysia include:
- KLC Language Centre
- ELS Language Centres
- Erican Language Center
- Stratford International Language Centre
- SLC Malaysia
With all these various centres promoting their English courses and distinguishing themselves as having the best English course in Malaysia, it can be challenging to decide out of all the English language centres out there.
This is where Superprof comes in, your all-in-one place to find an English teacher who meets your learning needs.
But first, click on this link to find an English tutor in George Town.
Why you should choose Superprof as your go-to place for the best English language learning experience
However hard you try to learn English, the final result will still depend on your effort and time invested in learning the language.
Fortunately, you can always look for an English tutor who is ready to guide you through the ups and downs of learning the language, so you don’t have to feel alone in your studies. Just ask Superprof!
If you are ever looking for an English class near me, Superprof can help you find the best English tutor who is an expert at helping you learn English fluently - all while catering to your interests and needs for learning the language. Finding an English teacher who has been trained in teaching ESOL to non-native speakers is easy when you visit Superprof.
In addition to affordable English classes, you can learn with an English tutor on Superprof via webcam or in-person lessons. Simply choose your preferred mode of learning when you visit the Superprof Tutors page, and don’t forget to select other preferences like:
- Current English level (kids’ and adult education available)
- Tutor response time - find an English teacher who responds in 24 hours!
- Maximum budget for lessons (from as low as RM25 per hour)
- Tutor availability in your area if you are looking for a physical English class
Are you aware that you can get your first English class for free when you learn with a Superprof tutor?
Head to Superprof today to get the best English course in Malaysia and let your English language skills shine!
Why not further enhance your learning experience with an English teacher in Kuala Lumpur?
How can you speak English fluently outside of your English class?
Learning a foreign language will always take some of your time. However, you can always try to quicken the speed at which you are learning English by doing a few of the things listed below daily to enable you to speak the language fluently.
- Find creative ways to incorporate English into your daily routine. Want to speak/ read/ learn English more often? Making little changes to the daily tasks you carry out is a great way to start. You can first change your phone’s language settings to English. Then, you can switch to a printed or digital English newspaper to catch up with the times. Whenever you watch movies, you can even use English subtitles. Another challenge could be watching any English movie and attempting to mimic the main character’s pronunciation of words.
- Read a page of English texts or articles before bed. If making little changes to your routine seems like too much at the moment, how about doing a little English exercise before hitting the hay? By reading an English book or other form of English text before bed, you will be able to develop both your language skills as well as a healthy, relaxing habit for your night routine.
- Speak English aloud. When? Anytime. When you are exercising, in the shower, walking to school, driving to work, or even while you are brushing your teeth and looking at yourself in the mirror, you can always speak English to yourself. Listen and observe the way you enunciate words so that you can learn to speak clearly and lessen any stuttering.
- Listen to English 5 minutes a day. You can start listening to English radio, English songs or any other English listening materials. While 5 minutes a day may be enough for some, you need to fully listen and absorb all the information at the time you are doing this listening exercise. Learn to understand the context of what is being heard and by doing this, you can develop the habit of listening to others speak English regularly.
We trust that you are now familiar with the various English courses available in Malaysia and understand why taking an English class is the best choice for picking up English as a non-native speaker. Have a great English learning journey!
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