I would be interested to learn some basics of the Malay language after arriving in Penang. The main purpose would be for conversation, not for reading a newspaper or writing articles in the language. However, a search on the internet gave no promising results. Also on this forum was I not able to find any leads.Are there any known institutes in Penang who provide Malay language classes for foreigners?

Nm Sorry, I don't know.

I did an evening course in Hokkien at the YMCA in Penang which was fun and a good way to meet other people, including Malays. See YMCA Penang

But as far as I know they don't teach Malay there.

JC3

JC3, thank you for your interesting reply. I did see the YMCA building in Penang, but had not thought of them providing language courses. According to their website do they have a lot on offer. Hokkien is still on their list of offered languages, but Malay is unfortunately not.

In Penang, you may be surprised that Hokkien is more commonly used than Malay because the former is the lingua franca of Penang. So, suggest that you learn Hokkien.

Yes i agree. Hokkien is largely spoken on the Island side of Penang. Pertinently around George Town, Farlim and Tanjung Bunga

However if you go around Balik Pulau or the mainland section i.e Butterworth or Bukit Mertajam, Malay is still widely spoken.

Btw, there are Malay classes. However majority are catered for school going students preparing for national exams.

Hence its not much foreigner friendly. Maybe if you surf and look hard enough -there will be a few.

In KL there's few, why not Penang!

Thank you for your replies. After having lived a few months on Penang island I have concluded that I am not interested any longer to invest the time and energy in learning Malay.

You will find that all Malaysians can speak Malay (and usually English too). It's the common language. But each race will use its own local language. As Penang is predominantly Chinese, you will hear a lot of Hokkien. Amongst the Indians, you will hear Tamil (maybe Hindu too...not sure ), and the Malays will speak Malay.

As all the authoritative bodies are run by Malays (police, JPJ etc) learning a few,phrases in Malay will earn you a few brownie points. Worth doing.

Have Google Translate in your handphone, easy to use when you need simple sentences or phrases from English to Malay