Food, music and culture: Why some Singaporeans are choosing to learn Malay

Some Singaporeans are choosing to learn Malay due to their appreciation of the culture and cuisine. Mr Johanan Teo and his girlfriend Ms Marisa Lim, both 29 and 26 respectively, both work in culinary-related fields and found themselves interested in the language after discovering their shared love for Malay food. The couple enrolled in conversational Malay classes using their SkillsFuture credits.

Similarly, young students are also enrolling in Malay language classes. The National Day Rally last month saw Prime Minister Lawrence Wong highlight the value of learning Malay given Singapore's regional location. Tuition centres have reported growing demand for Malay lessons, both among adults and younger students. Mr Yahya Hamid, a Malay tutor at NUSA Language Centre, teaches about 120 adults weekly and recently added an advanced course.

He believes that appreciating the culture alongside learning the language increases motivation to continue studying. Enrollment at NUSA Language Centre has risen by 10 to 15 percent annually since 2021, with younger learners often lacking Malay vocabulary. The centre has adapted its teaching methods to better accommodate these students, recognizing the importance of understanding Malay language as part of being a Singaporean.