One of the most frequently asked questions among language learners is this. What is the best way to learn a language? Is there a one-size-that-fits-all method that guarantees language proficiency in the long run?
Just as we have a great diversity in languages, various language learning approaches work differently for different people. At times, the most effective language learning method may not just involve one but a mixture of distinct strategies.
When learning the Malay language, the same principle applies where various elements play equal roles to help you discover your unique way of studying the language that works.
Differentiating Malaysian Malay and Indonesian Malay with a Malay teacher
Do you know that the Malay language is spoken by different nationalities and it is categorised under the Austronesian language family? Geographically speaking, Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia and even Singapore recognise Malay as one of their official languages. It is therefore not a surprise when most beginners get confused (especially if you are not a Malaysian) between Malaysian Malay and Indonesian Malay.
Firstly, Malaysian Malay is commonly referred to as Bahasa Melayu (some may also refer to it as Bahasa Malaysia) while Indonesian Malay is referred to as Bahasa Indonesia in local terms.
Although these different names exist and help to differentiate between the Malay languages spoken in these two countries, linguists generally agree that all Malayic languages were derived from Borneo.
Note: When we speak of Borneo, we are talking about the third-largest island in the world which makes up the Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah, Indonesia’s Kalimantan, as well as Brunei!
Secondly, Malaysian Malay has many borrowed words from English while Indonesian Malay has several borrowed words from Dutch due to the countries’ previous historical experiences of colonisation.
Many of these borrowed words even sound the same as the languages they were derived from and even share the exact spelling! Here are some examples of these borrowed words you’ve likely encountered in everyday life:
- Malaysian Malay: bas (bus), biskut (biscuit), counter (kaunter)
- Indonesian Malay: kamar (kamer - room), kantor (kantoor - office), tas (tas - bag)
Thirdly, even though both languages use the same writing and alphabet system, there isn’t always one Malay word to refer to the same things used in different countries. For example, a car is known as kereta in Malaysia whereas, in Indonesia, it is known as mobil (automobile).
This is why you need to have an experienced local Malaysian teacher to guide you on the differences between both languages. They will be able to guide you on the differences in spelling, grammar, and pronunciation of both languages that are derived from the same root language. You no longer have to be confused between Malaysian Malay and Indonesian Malay!
Do I need to learn Malay to live in Malaysia?
Every Malaysian needs to learn this language which is spoken by an estimated 290 million people worldwide.
As a Malaysian, you are surely familiar with hearing others speak in languages other than Malay. Malay is, after all, one of the many languages spoken in the country apart from Mandarin, English, Tamil, Bahasa Iban and more!
Nonetheless, Malay stands strong as the primary language that has represented the country’s pride since its independence and continues to unite its citizens.
In addition, as long as you are fluent in Malay, you will be able to communicate effectively not only with over 30 million other Malaysians, but also with those from the neighbouring countries of Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei.
You will also be able to get around famous places in these Southeast Asian countries as any landmarks and road signs use Malay!
That is why students in Malaysian schools need to learn Malay from as young as 7 years of age. Here is an outlook of what it would be like if you were to grow up learning Malay in Malaysian public schools:
Primary school education for Malay language
You will have to learn Malay for a total of 6 years in primary school. According to the Standard Curriculum for Primary Schools (KSSR), Bahasa Melayu is a core subject of the primary school syllabus. Generally, the Malay syllabus for primary schools focuses on building the foundation for reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in Malay.
Currently, primary school students are assessed for their Malay language proficiency using the Primary School Assessment Reporting (PPSR) system.
The Malay language in secondary school
You need to learn Malay for 5 years when you follow the National Secondary School Education Curriculum (KSSM). At the secondary education level, students now need to polish their language skills in preparation for higher education learning and stepping into the working world.
The most important exam to test your proficiency in Bahasa Melayu is SPM as your results will be used for various university and job applications. Are you aware that many organisations and companies in Malaysia will request SPM Malay results as proof of your language proficiency?
Learning Malaysian Malay as a foreign language
If you are a foreigner who is living or planning to live in Malaysia, there are other ways you can learn Bahasa Melayu, such as by taking Malay language classes or completing a Malay language course at a university.
If you are learning Malay as a foreign language, you should consider taking a Malay proficiency test to evaluate where you truly stand.
Malay proficiency tests, such as the Malay Language Competency for Foreigners Certificate Test (SKBMW), help to measure your comprehension and understanding of the language, and if completed successfully, will leave you feeling more confident in your language abilities and empower you to continue improving your linguistic skills.
Knowing where you stand in terms of Malay language competency can also serve as a guide for determining if you want to study or work in Malaysia.
As a foreigner (or even if you are a local!), you can also gain exposure to the Malay language by participating in various Malay language-related competitions such as storytelling, poetry recitals, and short story writing contests. Dare to put your Malay language skills to the test!
Learning Malay will ease your stay in Malaysia if you choose to be in the country for the long term. Your fluency in Malay will enable you to communicate effectively with the locals and to work closely with Malaysian brands. On the other hand, if you plan to work overseas, your fluency in Malay can boost your professional profile and make you stand out for being effectively bilingual in an increasingly multicultural and global society.
Importance of reading and writing Malay language lessons
Regardless of whether you are a local or foreigner living in Malaysia, you’ll probably agree with us that knowing how to speak and listen in Malay proves more useful in daily life as compared to simply knowing how to read and write in Malay.
However, reading and writing are essential skills for anyone’s language-learning journey if they want to be able to master and use a language effectively.
Are you aware of these reasons you should know how to read and write in Malay?
1. Improve your fluency in Malay
Reading and writing are strongly interconnected during language learning. Hence, the more you read, the better you write. The more you practise, the more you will be confident and fluent in reading and writing Malay - which will effectively improve your accuracy in Malay speaking and listening!
After all, grasping the necessary sentence structures and proper grammar usage is crucial for using Malay like a pro! Therefore, your writing and reading progress in the Malay language should also be one of your main priorities.
2. Prepare for Malay tests
You’ll be tested on your reading and writing skills when you sit for a Malay proficiency exam, even as a foreigner!
Building your Malay writing and reading skills now is going to help you strengthen your language skills, whether it is for the SKBMW or public examinations for Malay in schools.
Start by getting your hands on reading materials that cater to your learning level: bonus points if these materials connect to the local culture and the Malaysian syllabus! Some Malay teachers may even give you some assigned academic reference books to strengthen your reading and writing comprehension if you are preparing for examinations such as SPM.
3. Easier to get around places in Malaysia
Finally, knowing how to read and write in Malay is an important skill set that you should aim to master because it will be extremely useful in official and unofficial settings. For instance, if you need to visit a hospital or a government agency, you will most likely need to fill in Malay forms.
And, if you were to have your meals at a local hawker centre or mamak, most of the menu would be written in Malay. Hence, it is important to learn Malay comprehensively for each language component. Don’t skip on your Malay writing and reading skills!
Malay language learning tips
Apart from learning Malay with a Malay teacher, effective Malay learning can be achieved through various creative methods during and between your Malay lessons too!
Try these creative ways to include Malay language learning in your everyday life:
1. Listen to Malay music
During your free time, practise your listening in Malay as you listen to popular Malay songs by singers like Siti Nurhaliza, Misha Omar as well as Yuna. Music is a fantastic way for young and adult learners to pick up new Malay words and their pronunciations naturally.
After listening to a Malay song for the first time, you can then review the lyrics in a notebook, jot down new vocabulary words along with their meanings and even attempt to make new sentences with the words. Hopefully, you can impress your Malay-speaking friends during your next karaoke session!
Most of the time, you can quickly pick up new Malay words in a song when they are easy to pronounce and repeated several times throughout the song. So, we recommend these popular Malay songs that you can practise listening to. Be warned though, these songs are sure to get you hooked from the moment you play them!
Try these popular Malay songs by Malaysian artists…
- Kau Ilhamku by Man Bai
- Bukan Cinta Biasa by Siti Nurhaliza
- Sumpah by Naim Daniel
- Santai by Faizal Tahir
… and, not to forget one of our personal favourites that will make you reminisce about a love story between soulmates…
- Kisah Cinta Kita by Hafiz Suip!
2. Engage with Malay-speaking friends
Speaking of friends, you should take the opportunity to converse in Malay with your friends whenever you get the chance to practise! If you are a secondary school student waiting for the next teacher to come to your class, take this time as a chance to practise some new Malay words with your friends. Watch your language skills improve when you immerse yourself in a Malay-speaking environment.
However, it’s also possible that you don’t have many friends who are fluent in the Malay language - that shouldn’t stop you from looking for companions who also want to improve their Malay language skills! If you are on the lookout for friends who can teach you Malay, try joining the Malay language club at your school.
As a foreigner, you can even consider participating in community events run by Malay-speaking locals. This is a great way not only to learn how the locals speak Malay with each other but also to immerse yourself in fascinating Malay culture that may be new to you.
3. Include Malay content on your socials
Have you ever noticed that we can quickly learn about other cultures and languages through short-form videos on social media?
Whether it is from watching reels on Instagram or TikTok, learning a language can be fun when you watch content that is funny and relatable! Even if the videos you are watching are in Malay, captions are usually available to help you pick up the words used.
If you’d like to try longer-form videos, YouTube is a great platform for you to practise your pronunciation and conversation skills. If you are a fan of local Malaysian culture, you can also subscribe to local Malay YouTubers who produce content on your favourite topics to improve your conversational skills and cultural understanding of the language.
Remember to switch on the Malay subtitles while watching to improve your reading skills! It is essential to recognise words and sentences apart from being able to speak the language.
With these creative ways to learn Malay, you’ll eventually be able to express yourself well in Malay whenever you strike up a conversation with a local in Malaysia. This will increase your motivation to continue learning Malay through various sources whenever you feel like giving up.
Superprof: A balanced guide to learning Malay in Malaysia
It’s normal to feel discouraged when you make mistakes in your Malay speaking lessons or when you struggle with answering basic questions in Malay: everyone’s learning path is different!
However, continuing to feel discouraged may hinder your progress and even leave you feeling lonely on your path to mastering Malay.
This is where learning with a Malay Superprof tutor will come in handy!
With Superprof, you can have direct and easy access to Malay teachers without having to spend too much energy searching for Malay teachers in your area. It is extremely cost and time-effective as you are guaranteed a smooth process to begin and attend your Malay lessons, regardless of what learning level you are currently at.
Here is why we can confidently say Superprof will lead you to the right Malay teacher: you will find all relevant and updated information for the lessons and subjects that you want to learn on this platform, including the Malay language. All the information you need can be accessed by using the features on the Superprof Tutors platform.
These features include:
- Your tutor’s educational background and teaching experience
- The cost of your Malay lessons
- The mode of learning (in-person and virtual lessons available)
- Places that offer in-person and virtual lessons
- Past students’ reviews and recommendations
Another special feature that you will notice in your Malay tutor’s profile is the languages that they can communicate in apart from Malay. Rest assured that the majority of them are bilingual and they can explain and teach you from Malay to English during the lessons and also prepare relevant teaching materials for you to understand better.
In a way, you can learn how to read and write in Malay from the perspective of someone who is learning it as a second language!
Most importantly, you can also choose your Malay tutor based on the teaching methodology that is offered based on your personal preferences and language requirements. Thinking of learning with a tutor who includes Malay language quizzes and games? Simply click on your Malay tutor’s profile for further details about them!
You should also note that your Malay lessons can be personalised and taught flexibly regardless of your age, nationality and examination requirements - this is another outstanding feature of learning with a Superprof tutor.
What about speaking in Malay? In terms of the speaking component, you don’t have to worry about not being able to practise your conversational Malay skills since you and your Malay teacher will engage actively in two-way conversations, either through one-on-one sessions or a group lesson (choose between the two when looking for your preferred Malay tutor!).
Additionally, through Q and A sessions during lessons, you are most likely to show improvement in your listening skills too. On top of all these, you will learn the correct pronunciation of different Malay words and develop the ability to construct more complex sentences.
What other reason do you need to start learning Malay with the top Malay tutors on Superprof?
Start learning Malay language lessons today
The Malay language is a beautiful and culturally rich language that can help you become a better communicator. You do not have to struggle alone when it comes to learning a language. With the right methods of language learning as well as a conducive learning environment, studying Malay can be a fun and exciting journey!
There are many ways to master the Malay language, such as gaining the support of a reliable and experienced Malay teacher on Superprof, as well as using the practical tips above to practise your Malay during and between lessons. Not to forget, you should have a supportive learning environment to confidently practise your Malay language skills!
Remember that Superprof caters to all groups of learners and equips you with the skills to excel in this language that you want to learn more about. After all, the structure and speed of your Malay language lessons can be customised from time to time.
Whether you are a beginner in learning the language, or someone who is looking to polish your Malay speaking skills before an important interview, there is always time to begin learning! This is the right time to find your perfect teacher in Malay to get your first Malay Superprof lesson for free and prepare yourself as a learner to boost your speaking, reading, writing and listening skills today!
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