When asked about life in Malaysia, the first thing that comes to mind is the irresistible tourist destinations, scrumptious delicacies, and cultural diversity of races and religions.

These descriptions have long marked Malaysia as one of the world’s renowned tourist destinations.

Image source: Focus Malaysia

Besides its UNESCO World Heritage Sites and breathtaking marine parks, Malaysia is at the forefront of world-class tertiary education. As home to various notable institutions, the country is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after destinations among international students seeking education with international recognition. Most of the time, students choose to study and live in Malaysia due to its affordable cost of living and college fees.

When you begin life in Malaysia, you will have to converse in the national language every once in a while. Learning Bahasa Melayu, or the Malay language, is actually quite easy! The words are spelled using ABCs, so international students should have no problems reading them if they’re already fluent English users. The only challenge now is for you to understand the meaning of the words and learning to use them to construct Malay sentences.

There are several tips and tricks that can help you learn Malay faster:

1) Spot the signboards

Image source: ResearchGate

The locals are fluent in both Malay and English, so bilingual signboards are very common in Malaysia. Reading the Malay words and their English counterparts helps you to understand the words better and faster.

2) Utilize Malaysian Media

If you want to get used to the language, surround yourself with sounds of the locals speaking Malay. You can make your life in Malaysia easier by listening to Malay radio channels and watching online Malay programs and news with subtitles.

3) Use the Language

Nothing is more memorable than a real-life experience. When you learn Malay, don’t just practice in the comforts of your classroom; go outside and speak the language! You can start by conversing in simple Malay sentences with waiters of a mamak shop or the nasi lemak seller at your campus. They’ll be happy to chat with you!

4) Befriend a Native Speaker

Image source: Study International

Life in Malaysia is incomplete if you don’t befriend a local and pick up a new word or two!

Most Malaysian students went to a national secondary school, which means they have a solid understanding of the Malay language. When you’re on campus, look for native speakers and befriend them. Malaysians are known to be friendly folks, so don’t be shy and ask for their help!

We have compiled some common words and phrases that you can use on a daily basis:

Are you applying to study in Malaysia? We can help you for free. Contact us at +60 11-2069 9087 or drop us an email at [email protected].