Learn Bahasa Melayu: Expressions and Conversations
Start learning Malay today: learn the basics of speaking and writing in the Malay language and explore Malaysian culture.
520 enrolled on this course
Duration
3 weeksWeekly study
2 hours100% online
How it works
Learn Bahasa Melayu: Expressions and Conversations
This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.
Discover Malay language daily expressions and experience Malaysian culture
This online Malay language course serves as an introduction to the Malaysian language for intermediate learners. The course is 3 weeks long and by the end, you’ll be able to:
- introduce yourself and things around you
- understand basic Malay grammar
- greet people and ask simple questions
- learn about writing in Malay
- understand conversations about food and places
Start to speak, listen, read and write Malay language
During the three weeks of the course, you will learn some of the vocabulary and phrases you need to help you interact with Malaysian people at a basic level.
You will start to develop the four language skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing through a range of activities that introduce the language in authentic settings. You will also learn some essential Malay grammar, including some basic verbs, personal pronouns and adjectives.
One of the ways you’ll learn is through video resources that’ll show you the language in action. The course videos will be conducted in Malay with English subtitles to offer better exposure to the language while still providing support.
Explore Malaysian culture while you learn
We’ll introduce you to the Historical City of Melaka, a UNESCO world heritage site in Malaysia. Learn some of the famous Malaysian foods that locals love to eat.
In Week 2, you’ll learn about Penang, the food capital of Malaysia with sandy beaches along the coastline. You’ll discover the most interesting places to visit in Penang and learn about popular foods.
Finally, you’ll explore Langkawi, an archipelago made up of 99 islands on Malaysia’s west coast. We’ll take you through the most interesting places to see in Langkawi to round off your journey through Malaysia.
Syllabus
Week 1
Introducing Yourself & Things Around You
Getting Started
Learn how to use FutureLearn, meet your Malay tutors and find out what's coming up in the course.
Introduction to Week 1
We will describe what we are going to do in Week 1.
Introducing Yourself & Things Around You
In this section, we will listen to dialogues about how to introduce and describe yourself, and also how to explain about things available around you.
Malay Grammar: Personal Pronouns
In this section, we will learn about the basic components of Malay grammar. We will focus on pronouns which are the backbones in the construction of Malay sentences.
Malay Grammar: Simple verbs
In this section, we will learn about the basic components of Malay grammar. We will focus on verbs which are the backbones in the construction of Malay sentences.
Malay Grammar: Plurals
In this section, we will learn about the basic components of Malay grammar. We will focus on plurals which are the backbones in the construction of Malay sentences.
Malay Grammar: Adjectives
Learn about basic components of Malay grammar. We will focus on adjectives, which are the backbones in the construction of Malay sentences.
Summary of Week 1
Reflecting on Week 1, what did you learn or find most valuable?
Week 2
Talking About Interesting Places & Foods
Introduction to Week 2
What are we going to do this week?
Talking About Interesting Places And Foods
In this section, we will listen to dialogues about interesting places in Melaka and Penang, also about various kind of foods in Penang.
Tourist Attraction Places
What are the places to visit in Malaysia?
Language Focus: Malay Grammar
In this section, we will about some of the elements which are used to form sentences in Malay. This week, we will focus on conjunctions, prepositions and auxiliaries.
Summary of Week 2
Let's recap what you have learned in week 2.
Week 3
Talking About Shopping and Transportation
Introduction to Week 3
A quick look on topics that will be covered this week. Share with us the interesting places in your country.
Shopping and Transportation
This section contains dialogues about shopping and transportation in Malaysia. Learners will then be asked to practice several words and phrases related to the dialogues.
Malay Grammar: Noun Phrases
Learn about how phrases are composed in Malay language. We will focus on noun phrases.
Malay Grammar: Verb Phrases
Learn about how phrases are composed in Malay language. We will focus on verb phrases.
Malay Grammar: Adjective Phrases
Learn about how phrases are composed in Malay language. We will focus on adjective phrases.
Malay Grammar: Prepositional Phrases
Learn about how phrases are composed in Malay language. We will focus prepositional phrases.
Summary of Week 3
Reflecting on Week 3, what did you learn or find most valuable?
Who is this accredited by?
The CPD Certification Service was established in 1996 and is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors to complement the CPD policies of professional and academic bodies.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Identify common words and basic phrases about yourself, family and friends for communication purposes.
- Identify regular nouns, words and simple sentences around you, for example on notice boards, posters or in a catalog.
- Apply simple phrases and simple sentences to describe where you live and people you know.
Who is the course for?
This course is for anyone interested in Malaysia, languages or learning Malay. You need to have basic knowledge of the Malay language to better understand each dialogue used in the course.
We encourage learners to complete the following two courses before proceeding with this one to build a foundation in Bahasa Melayu: Bahasa Melayu: Learn Bahasa Melayu: Introduction to the Malay Language and Learn Bahasa Melayu: Grammatical Rules in Malay
Who will you learn with?
Hello. My name is Ab. Razak and I am one of the lecturers in the Department of Malay Language , the Academy of Malay Studies, University of Malaya. I have worked here since 1985.
Professor at Malay Language Programme, Academy of Malay Studies, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Specialises in Malay Semantics, Malay Intonation and Pragmatic- Politeness.
Hi, I am a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Malay Language, Academy of Malay Studies University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. My field of expertise is the discourse analysis.
Senior lecture at Malay Language Programme in Academy of Malay Studies, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Ph.D in Ethnolinguistic. Spend many years in Indigenous Studies but always back to teach Malay Language for Foreigner. Now he is a Senior Lecturer at University Malaya.
Who developed the course?
Universiti Malaya
Universiti Malaya is the premier research university in Malaysia, committed to advancing knowledge and learning through quality research and education for the nation and for humanity.
Established
1905Location
Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaWorld ranking
Top 60Source: QS World University Rankings 2021
| Best ValueBest Value - learn more, save more! | |||
Ways to learn | Buy this course | Subscribe & save | Start learning today |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choose the best way to learn for you! | $54/one-off payment | $244.99 for a whole year Automatically renews | Free |
| Fulfill your current learning need | Develop skills to further your career | Try this course - with limits | |
| Access to this course | tick | tick | Limited to 3 weeks |
| Access to 1,000+ courses | cross | tick | cross |
| Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
| Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
| Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Subscribe & save
$244.99 for a whole year
Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Buy this course
$54/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Start learning today
Free
Try this course - with limits
- Limited to 3 weeks
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) Sale price available until 2 November 2026 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply. | |||
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Sale price available until 2 November 2026 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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