Have you just started learning Malay on your own?
Do you find yourself relying heavily on Google Translate whenever you can’t find the right Malay word that is equivalent to the English word you intend to express?
Don’t worry, it’s completely normal to use translating apps when you are practising a language other than your mother tongue!
Learning Malay is becoming just as essential as it is to know English as Malaysia becomes a country that is both increasingly global and multiethnic as a point of connection within Southeast Asian nations. Malaysians, Singaporeans, Indonesians and Bruneians all speak Malay in their day-to-day conversations!
Not to forget that the national language of Malaysia is Malay. It is widely used during official occasions which require the usage of both its written and spoken language forms.
Are you aware that international students who are enrolled in undergraduate programmes at Malaysia’s higher education institutions are also required to take Malay as a compulsory general studies subject?
Whether you are Malaysian or not, and if you are currently based in Malaysia, you can always learn Malay from a good Malay teacher regardless of your current Malay language proficiency. You can either start learning from the basics or opt for more advanced levels after completing several assessments. With the right guidance from your Malay teacher, you will be able to master Malay progressively!
First, let’s look at what you can expect when you take Malay lessons with a Malay teacher.
Building a strong foundation with Malay lessons for beginners
A Malay teacher is the person you should turn to if you want to build a solid foundation in the Malay language.
One of the things you can expect when you first start building the Malay basics with your Malay teacher is learning how to talk about yourself and those around you.
What’s the most common sentence that language beginners always learn? The answer is most likely an easy self-introduction, such as being able to say one’s name.
To introduce yourself in Malay, for instance, you can say, “Nama saya Peter.”
Let’s break this down, shall we?
The Malay word for NAME is very similar to the English word, with only a difference of one letter: “name” is NAMA in Malay. Isn't that fascinating?
Next, you need to know how to address others by using the correct personal pronouns ranging from the first person, second person and third person. Take note that nouns come before personal pronouns when using Malay.
First-person:
Saya (My, me, I, mine)
Kita (We, us - includes the person you are speaking to)
Kami (We, us - does not include the person that you are talking to)
Second-person:
Kamu (You, your, yours - informal); Awak (you, your, yours - formal)
Third-person:
Mereka (They)
With a Malay teacher, however, you will be able to expand on the use of these nouns and personal pronouns to express your thoughts and actions in creative ways.
At the start, you may be hesitant to learn with a Malay teacher if you are a complete beginner.
When learning a language, remember that there is no age limit to start learning! Do not be put off by the stereotype that only children can master a foreign language perfectly. Several studies have shown that adult learners acquire a new language faster as compared to younger learners because they are aware of the learning methodologies and styles that suit them well.
Something you can do if you are a complete beginner at Malay is set your language learning goals based on the purpose and outcome that you wish to achieve through the mastery of the language. It could be to improve your overall grades in school, or even to help you upgrade your soft skills at work. After that, you can use the knowledge you have gained by consistently practising between lessons with native Malay speakers.
Most importantly, you will discover that you will be a better communicator in Malay as you learn the various components of the language with a Malay teacher.
Mastering various components of the Malay language with lessons
There are several other language components unique to the Malay language that your Malay teacher will teach you about during lessons.
As an example, the speaking component of the Malay language boils down to your pronunciation of suku kata (syllables) and how often you practice speaking it according to the local Malaysian accent. The pronunciation breakdown of Malay words results in mostly two or three syllables which will follow the rule of pronouncing the next syllables after a vowel ending.
Below are some examples for you to observe how Malay words are pronounced according to their syllables.
Ayam (pronounced Ah-yahm)
Selamat (pronounced Suh-lah-maht)
Buku (pronounced Bu-ku)
Mengapa (pronounced Muh-ngah-pah)
If English is your first language, you may be confused about the vocabulary component of Malay since there are Malay words that have been borrowed from the English language. Nonetheless, vocabulary is essential for you to proceed to different levels and settings of the Malay language, especially when you learning to read and write Malay words.
Your Malay teacher will be able to teach you how to differentiate between the meanings of similar English and Malay words, such as by comparing the meanings of words in English and Malay, as well as analysing interesting homonyms that are found in the Malay language.
The English word “activity” is “aktiviti” in Malay. But the English word “war” is “perang” in Malay.
Did you know that perang has two completely different meanings and pronunciations? Perang means war and also the colour brown!
Master these fascinating language components effectively when you learn with a Malay teacher.
Here’s a question for you:
In language learning, what glues listening, speaking, reading and writing together?
It is none other than your overall language comprehension!
So, when it comes down to the best guide to learn Malay, it is ideal to have someone with the right expertise to guide you consistently for all the language components so that all your language components skills are equally good.
How does learning with a Malay teacher improve my Malay?
Is it better to learn a language with a teacher?
Sounds like you may need a little more convincing to take lessons with a Malay teacher!
There are various reasons why you can benefit from learning Malay with a teacher, even if you just want to learn it in a short period to improve your language comprehension - great for those preparing to sit for Malay exam papers in IGCSE or SPM.
Get your hands on the best possible Malay resources
If you’re familiar with the struggle of looking for Malay textbooks and references to effectively help you master reading and writing in the language, we feel you!
When you learn with a Malay teacher, not only can you avoid the hassle of finding books and materials to learn Malay, but you can also get recommendations from your teacher on what physical or online resources will help you work on language areas you are weak at.
Assess your competency in the Malay language
Even online learning apps will ask you to pass beginner language levels before advancing to more difficult ones.
With your Malay language teacher, you will have to complete some proficiency tests at certain points during your lessons or courses. This is particularly beneficial for those who need to prove their competency in Malay for study or work purposes, and having a certificate showing you have completed a certain learning level in the Malay language will surely add to your existing skill set.
Additionally, you can track your learning progress with these assessments and receive a personalised report from your Malay teacher detailing your strengths and weaknesses in applying the Malay language.
Speaking of personalised feedback…
Receive immediate feedback for improvement
This is probably one of the biggest reasons why anyone would want to learn a language with a teacher in the first place.
Unlike learning Malay through YouTube channels or watching shows in Malay, you will have someone who can provide you with helpful learning tips and points on where and how you should use certain phrases and sentences.
You may have watched friends in a Malay filem talk about their dreams and hopes, but the phrases you have picked up may not apply to real life if you are not using the right personal pronouns and proper ways of addressing others!
So, it’s not just about assessing your Malay competency but also obtaining ways to improve your Malay comprehension and usage when you learn with a Malay teacher.
Practise Malay in real-life settings regularly
Finally, what is learning Malay if what you are learning is difficult to apply to real-life settings?
One argument against learning a language on your own is that you will lack the practice of speaking it with others, especially if others in your household don’t speak it or if it is a foreign language that is quite unfamiliar to you. Despite knowing certain Malay phrases and sentences, foreigners learning Malay may find it hard to use the language if they are new to Malaysian culture.
Fortunately, with a Malay teacher, you don’t have to worry about whether you are learning the right phrases and sentences. You can practise speaking it in class with your Malay teacher, receive feedback and even converse with your other classmates in Malay if you are taking a group Malay lesson!
We would also like to address learning Malay with a native versus a non-native speaker.
Find your Malay language course on Superprof!
Is it better to learn Malay from a native speaker?
A native speaker is someone who has spoken a particular language since they were young and considers this language as their mother tongue.
For a non-native speaker, they would have learnt the same language as a second language and would not consider it as their first language.
With these ideas in mind, one can say that a native speaker of the Malay language knows the language perfectly and they will be able to use it naturally without any issues.
A strong advantage of learning Malay with a teacher whose native language is Malay is being able to learn Malay from a proficient speaker. Usually, native speakers of Malay will be able to use the language naturally, so students can pick up accurate tones of voice and speech that are considered excellent in terms of Malay language competency.
However, many Malay language teachers across Malaysia do not speak Malay as their first language!
It may help you to learn Malay from a teacher whose native language is not Malay as this would mean they are bilingual, trilingual or even speak up to 5 or 6 languages!
Let’s say you are learning Malay from a teacher who can also speak Mandarin fluently. If Mandarin happens to be your mother tongue, this would mean they can likely provide the best translations possible for words and phrases in your mother tongue, and can better empathise with you when you need help understanding the Malay language from a different cultural viewpoint.
At the end of the day, it’s okay to learn Malay from a teacher whose native language may or may not be Malay. Many non-native speakers who are teaching Malay are fantastic teachers due to their multilinguistic abilities! What is more important is finding the best Malay teacher who can help you achieve your Malay language learning goals.
Finding Malay teachers at different locations in Malaysia
There are many physical locations and online learning platforms for you to start learning Malay in Malaysia. You can easily find good and experienced Malay tutors in every state of Malaysia. Here are three recommendations that you can refer to before you decide to enrol for your Malay lessons.
1. My Teacher Languages and Cultures
Located in Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur, this is a language centre with 10 years of history in helping students master various languages from around the world. It caters to a variety of subjects, which include Malaysia’s national language, Bahasa Melayu (or Malay). The lessons and syllabus used are prepared according to different age groups (kids, teenagers and adult learners) and you can even find courses catered to various examinations in Malaysia.
Language learners also get to choose which type of class they prefer to enrol in according to their schedules and personal preferences. Among the classes available are physical corporate classes, group classes, private classes and even online classes for Malay. The Malay lessons at this centre follow a 10-class package, where the average fee charged for one student ranges from RM100 to RM120 depending on the mode of learning that you have selected.
2. A to Z Language Centre
This language centre has several branches in Malaysia, which include branches in Damansara Utama, Sri Petaling, Johor Bahru and Penang. The main core languages taught are Japanese, English, Malay and Mandarin. Students can choose to enrol in various class packages. For instance, there are online classes for 4 hours and 10 hours in total as well as in-house classes for 4 hours and 24 hours in total respectively.
The class duration ranges from 1 hour to 2 hours per session and the package is valid for 2 months (online classes). Apart from the standard tuition fee (which differs according to the duration and package that you take), students also need to pay an extra RM20 for study materials as well as RM50 for a one-time registration fee.
3. Superprof
Superprof is an online learning platform that connects students to tutors according to their location and also their desired subjects. It is a user-friendly platform that assists learners in connecting with the most suitable tutors, depending on factors like their preferred learning style and also their budget.
You can learn Malay with a Malay teacher on Superprof at various locations, including:
- Kuala Lumpur
- Shah Alam
- Sri Kembangan
- Penang
- Kuching
- Ipoh
- Kota Kinabalu and more!
When it comes to searching for a Malay teacher, you first just need to key in your location and the Malay subject in the search box on the home page of the website. Then, all you need to do is just browse through the tutors’ profiles and also adjust your requirements at the filtering system which includes the cost of your Malay lessons per hour. Then, you will be led to the most suitable tutor for your subject according to your preferences.
Superprof provides students with the advantage of knowing more about your lessons before meeting your tutor as their teaching experience and current academic qualification will also be updated there. You can also see which tutors are available for physical or online lessons or even both.
Don’t wait to try out Superprof: if you sign up now, you can attend your first Malay lesson for free!
Benefits of being fluent in the Malay language
Like any language, being fluent in Malay leads you to a whole new world of opportunities. Whether you are a local or from another country, language proficiency is one of the factors that make you a valuable asset at your workplace. Many job recruitment reports show that having effective language skills is one of the most essential abilities for career development, especially for all four language components.
This is especially true for a multicultural country and an increasingly globalised nation like Malaysia where the demand for bilingual communication is high in people-centred industries such as education, media and business.
For fellow Malaysian students, if you intend to work as a civil servant or become a doctor, bear in mind that you need to at least pass your Bahasa Melayu subject in your SPM examination to apply to study at local universities or practise medicine in local hospitals in the future.
This also applies to students who are studying in private and international schools! Students in these schools will have to undergo a separate Malay subject test as a private SPM candidate, even if they have already scored a Pass in their IGCSE or O-Levels previously.
But really, becoming fluent in the Malay language should be seriously considered not just to pass necessary standard examinations or secure a job in Malaysia - there are significant cultural reasons why you should improve your Malay proficiency, especially if you are a Malaysian!
Culturally speaking, when you are fluent in Malay, you will also automatically take up the role of becoming an ambassador and a bridge for international communication within the Southeast Asia region which includes places like Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei and of course, Malaysia!
Imagine you have friends and colleagues from other countries who come to visit your hometown and are curious about Malaysian culture. Or what if a tourist comes up to you asking for help to translate certain Malay phrases that they have never heard of before?
You can be proud of yourself for being able to converse in the national language fluently and even showcase your language skills when you point out national landmarks and tourist attractions after using Malay to talk to local guides. So in terms of personal achievement, your fluency in Malay can also boost your confidence as a global communicator!
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. All you need to do now is to start searching for a Malay teacher to guide you step by step on how to pick up the Malay language successfully. Remember that with just a few clicks on Superprof’s website, you are on your way to learning Malay comprehensively and flexibly. Start exploring and learning Malay today!
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