How long does it take to learn Malay? Learning Malay – or any new language – requires a lot of time and effort to master. Bahasa Melayu can be complicated for many new learners, especially if they are native speakers of the English language and do not have an equivalent language to compare Malay to.
But don’t worry; your friends here at Ling App have you covered. While there’s no set way for anyone to know how long it’ll take for an individual to learn a new language, we can at least tell you how long you can expect to be learning Malay – and eventually, be able to speak fluently!
So strap in and let’s get started – it takes a lot to be fluent in Malay, but you’re already on your way!
How Long Does It Take To Learn Malay? All The Facts You Need
Figuring out how long it takes to learn Malay can be tricky. No magic math formula can predict how long an individual might take to learn a specific language. However, according to some sources, it can take 3 months to a year to be fluent in a new language. But what does that mean for the Malay language?
What Is The Malay Language?
Malay or bahasa Melayu is the official language of Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Brunei. It is spoken by over 33.12 million people worldwide. That’s a lot of native speakers you can have immediate access to if you want to get better!
Which Countries Speak The Malay Language?
Malay is spoken in several countries: Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei, East Timor, and the Philippines. However, only Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Brunei consider Malay as their official state language.
Why Should I Learn Malay Words And Phrases?
People’s motivations for learning new languages are all different. Some language learners do it for the fun of understanding something new. Other students take a language course to better communicate with people speaking a foreign language.
Still, others might want to learn Malay because they are a fan of Malay books, live in a Malay-speaking country, or have ties to Malaysian nationals in their personal or work life. Whatever the case, learning Malay – or any new language, for that matter – will only serve to make you better as a person!
Factors That Can Affect The Time It Takes To Learn Malay
Prior Language Learning Experience
For someone with no prior language learning experience, it can take anywhere from 600 to 750 hours to learn a new language, according to the US Foreign Service Institute. This equates to 6-12 months of study at 5 hours per week.
People with prior language learning experience may find patterns they may recognize from other languages that will help them learn Malay faster. Apart from formal Malay, this language also draws from Chinese and Spanish roots. Those who already know those languages may find themselves having an easier time with Malay.
Frequency And Quality Of Study
Words and phrases are retained through repetition and practical use. However, new words from a new language are harder to remember, especially if you don’t study all that often! Therefore, people who want to learn the Malay language would do well to study well and study often. Doing so will make their Malay learning further than anything else.
Of course, the quality of your study must be taken into account, as well…
Learning Methods Used
As with the last point, study quality is imperative to mastering Malay. There are many ways to learn a new language. Some take a language course at a learning institution, others make Malay-speaking friends and learn through immersion, and still, others use a language-learning app like Ling to learn Malay.
Depending on the quality of your learning material, your journey to perfect Malay grammar can be smooth driving – or jalan kasar (rough road.)
Individual Learning Speed and Ability
As always, how fast you can learn something new depends on your individual learning speed and ability. When learning a new language, are you a good or a bad pelajar (student)?
Some people take to a new language as if it were their native language. Others might take much longer to absorb anything other than the most basic words.
Whether you are fast or slow in learning your target language, consistency will really make a difference. As the saying goes, consistency is crucial and will help you much more than natural learning ability.
Tips To Make Learning Malay Easier
Apa khabar, kawan? Do you know how long it’ll take to master the Malay language? We’ve got a few more tips on beefing up your Malay vocabulary faster and easier!
Study Regularly, Consistently
As we have expressed in a previous paragraph, how often and how well you study will make a lot of difference in learning languages. Teach yourself to study on a consistent schedule. It may be hard for you to stick to a new habit, especially if you just started taking your Malaysian language course.
Practice makes perfect, though! So make sure to stick to your own word and commit to a schedule you know you can keep. You’ll be speaking like a local in no time!
Immerse Yourself
Another way to make your learning easier is through immersion. This means consuming a lot of the same things locals love: Malay books, music, movies, and TV shows, and even their food (which, we promise, is total 🔥) can all help you in your education.
But the best way to immerse yourself is to visit the country of your target language. So book a trip to Malaysia and stay there for a few weeks or even months! You get to experience Malay culture in the most authentic way possible and learn the language much faster because you are surrounded by it every day – from trying to get around the country to ordering your food.
Join Language Exchange Programs
Language exchange programs allow you to trade language skills with someone else. This means you find someone who wants to learn the language you speak, and who also speaks the language you wish to learn. This is one of the best ways to learn new Malay words.
In a language exchange program, you can learn more than just ordinary words, and you’ll undoubtedly learn so much more than if you choose an online Malay learning course. You might even hear some creepy urban legends only locals would know!
Practice With Native Speakers
Immersing yourself in the culture of the language you’re learning is an excellent way to make learning the Malay language easier and faster! If you can find native Malay speakers in your area (or have Malay-speaking friends yourself), you may ask if you can practice your Malay with them. They will listen and correct you if you slip up!
You can also find local Facebook groups with Malay members, so you can have a free online Malay lesson whenever you need it! There is also the option of finding a pen pal in Malaysia, especially if you learn better when writing the word than speaking it. People are often willing to help as long as you ask!
Learn Malay Fast And Easy With The Ling App
As we said, practice makes perfect. Suppose you had a convenient, easy-to-use-and-understand resource for learning Malay. Wouldn’t you feel happier and more confident in your language-learning journey?
That’s what the Ling app is for! We offer language courses in Malay and over 60 languages, provided in an intuitive and fun package! We’ve collaborated with native speakers and educators on the best way to teach people a new language, no matter their skill level.
Start your Malay language education with us by downloading the Ling App on Android or iOS.
