Why should you learn Bahasa Melayu?
We already know that learning a new language has various benefits for the brain. But did you know that it is an advantage to know Malay if you are living in Southeast Asia? Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore, Thailand... you can easily get around if you know how to speak the national language of these countries, which happens to be Bahasa Melayu!
It is always encouraged that the younger generation living in these countries be fluent in Malay, mainly because of the importance to preserve the language, but also due to the fact that it is easier to pick up a new language from a young age. When children learn how to read and write in Malay, this sets them up for success in a future where Bahasa Melayu remains ubiquitous throughout the region.
If you are a parent or guardian hoping to help your child learn Malay, or a student looking for resources to learn Malay online, then this is the article for you. Let's see how to learn Malay in Malaysia by exploring the levels of learning Bahasa Melayu like a local and the requisites for excelling in your Bahasa Melayu examinations.
What are the levels on how to learn Malay?
There are different levels of Bahasa Melayu depending on your school age. Just like in other countries, you will need to complete a Malay curriculum in stages before you can progress to a more advanced level of Malay. Let's see how to learn Malay like a local in Malaysia.
Local kindergartens in Malaysia already provide a syllabus for learning Bahasa Melayu for kids, but any child can enter into Year 1 at the primary level without any prior knowledge of the language. Look out for schools that apply the KSSR Bahasa Melayu curriculum, which are often Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) and Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (SJK) schools.
From Year 1 to Year 6, students will learn about basic skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening for Bahasa Melayu. It is compulsory for students to pass their Bahasa Melayu examinations up until Year 6 before leaving for secondary school. In other words, transitioning into the KSSM Bahasa Melayu curriculum, which is advanced learning of Malay especially for improving reading and writing skills.
For secondary school students, learning Bahasa Melayu up until their SPM Bahasa Melayu exams signifies a complete education of the Malay language in Malaysia. Although some students learn STPM Malay later on during Form Six, it is not necessary that you further your Malay studies unless you would like to study it as a course in university.
On the other hand, students can also study Bahasa Melayu at international schools even without following the KSSR and KSSM national curricula. International schools usually adopt a different syllabus like IGCSE Malay, which also covers the essential comprehension and grammatical skills for Bahasa Melayu. This is another option for those looking to learn Malay as a second language.
Where can I find Malay textbooks for school?
Start by visiting your local bookstore.
Publishing companies such as Sasbadi and Ilmu Bakti are considered reliable brands because they are among the pioneers in providing Malay references for schools. In addition, their books are updated yearly to keep up with changes to the Malay school syllabus and are in line with the Malaysian school curriculum.
Look out for Ilmu Bakti Malay workbooks for topical practice and Sasbadi module papers for Bahasa Melayu. Nonetheless, you can also check out shopping websites such as Carousell Malaysia for deals and discounts on Malay books and worksheets. If you don't mind using secondhand references, you can look for sellers who are offering their used Malay textbooks for school to save up on your expenses.
Speaking of module papers, remember to purchase past papers for Bahasa Melayu as well. This is a great way to practise your Malay language skills just by completing several papers, while also preparing you for any upcoming exams such as your SPM Bahasa Melayu examinations. Get familiar with the Malay exams for schools in Malaysia.
You should also look out for free resources if you'd like to learn Malay online. Sistem Guru Online, for instance, is a portal created by teachers to help students gain access to free resources and downloadable worksheets, including references for Bahasa Melayu in schools. Learners from the primary school syllabus can also download Bahasa Melayu worksheets to practise their language skills outside of school.
Can I learn Malay online?
Learning Malay online is a great idea for those who enjoy learning from the comfort of home.
However, some students learn Malay effectively in face-to-face settings.
Nonetheless, you can find Malay tutors in your area if you want a face-to-face lesson but would still like to learn from home. Or learn Malay online with any tutor from across Malaysia, as long as you have a solid Internet connection. You can get these benefits and more: just learn with a Superprof tutor!
Taking in-person and virtual lessons for Bahasa Melayu has become so much more convenient with Superprof because you can now gain access to Malay tutors from nearly every city in Malaysia. All you have to key in "Bahasa Melayu" and the name of your residential area in the Superprof Tutors search bar. Of course, select the "Online" option if you want to learn Malay online instead.
Over 800 Malay tutors on Superprof are ready to teach you the essential skills you need to master Bahasa Melayu, regardless of whether you are just starting to learn the subject at school or are preparing for your SPM Bahasa Melayu exams. Find out details such as hourly rates, tutor response time and student recommendations when you click on your tutor's profile.
Learners of all levels are welcome here at Superprof - don't miss out on an enriching Malay learning experience like studying the rich history of Bahasa Melayu!
What are some tips to score well in Malay?
There are other things you can do other than just buying Malay textbooks for school if you want to improve your proficiency in Malay. Check out these tips to score well in Malay, especially if you're going to take up the IGCSE Malay exams in Malaysia.
Read Malay books
Just as it has always been important to cultivate reading from a young age, you can quickly pick up Bahasa Melayu through reading storybooks, non-fiction materials and even Malay newspapers. Reading different genres of books will help you learn popular Malay vocabulary, as well as understand how to use Malay in different contexts.
Ideally, try to make reading Malay books a daily habit. Even if you don't complete a Malay book in a day, keeping up the habit will ensure you are making a consistent practice of the language.
Play interactive Malay games
This is a great way for younger learners to learn Malay online, even if their guardians or parents do not know how to speak Bahasa Melayu. Dinolingo, for instance, is an app that parents can download to help their children learn Malay in a fun and exciting way. All the games in the app allow its users to earn surprise rewards, encouraging children to repeat important Malay words and phrases.
At the primary school level, young learners can also try the Digital Dialects website to practise skills such as how to count and name colours in Malay. To play the games, learners will have to follow instructions to complete puzzles and choose the correct options. You can even download Malay flashcards after completing the interactive games.
Speak Malay often
There's no point in just reading and writing Malay if you are not using it with the people around you. A great way to use the language often is therefore to speak it. At school, try to make friends with classmates who speak Malay well. You can let them know that you would like to practise speaking Malay with them, and that will help you pick up how to use Malay in common conversations.
Outside of Malay lessons, you should also address your peers and teachers in Malay. Alongside your Malay tutor on Superprof, you can apply these tips to learn Malay fast in Malaysia!
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