Adults in Singapore learn Malay as language center reports rising enrollment
In Singapore, some adult learners are studying Malay to better understand local culture, cuisine and music. At the same time, the NUSA language center reported growing enrollment in Malay language courses among younger students, Channel NewsAsia reports.
Twenty-nine-year-old Johanan Teo and his partner, 26-year-old Marisa Lim, enrolled in conversational Malay classes at a local community club using SkillsFuture credits. According to Teo, the couple's interest in the language arose from their love of Malay cuisine: they visit nasi padang eateries, travel to Malaysia to try dishes and cook them at home. Among Teo's favorite dishes is ayam masak merah — chicken in a spicy tomato sauce.
Cuisine and music
The couple started with a basic course and attended two-hour classes once a week. The learners included young people and retirees. Teo said that the relaxed atmosphere in class helped participants not to fear mistakes and pronunciation difficulties. During one lesson, the teacher explained Malay names for kitchen items and ingredients.
For Lim, music became an additional connection to the language. She performed with her band during the Hari Raya period, including at pasar malam night markets. The band learned several Malay songs, and Lim said that listeners responded warmly when they heard songs in their own language.
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Classes for different age groups
Malay language teacher Yahya Hamid teaches around 120 adult learners each week at two community clubs and online. His students range from young professionals to elderly people. According to him, interest in learning the language remains steady. This year, he introduced an advanced course, and the second cycle of 10 classes is already underway.
The NUSA language center said the number of students in Malay language courses has been growing by around 10–15% annually since 2021. The center currently teaches about 2,000 students, from kindergarten through the fourth year of secondary school. The center's head, Hayati Abdullah, said that some current students have a smaller vocabulary than students in the past, so teachers are adapting their methods and using topics and trends familiar to children.
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said during the National Rally last month that, given the country's location in the region, it would be beneficial for Singaporeans to learn Malay and better understand Malay culture.
