Fun, real-life Malay lessons for expats, built around the pasar, the mamak, the condo WhatsApp group, and everything in between. Mistakes welcome. Laughing encouraged.
Beyond "good to have" — here's why it's genuinely worth your time.
Understanding Malay unlocks Malaysia's history and its rich mix of cultures and ethnicities; not just the words, but the "why" behind them.
With more than 230 million speakers across the region, you'll have endless chances to use it and build friendships with people from Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei.
Heading to Singapore, Indonesia or Brunei? Malay helps you get around, get things done, and chat with friends wherever you land.
Malay uses the same Roman alphabet as English, so reading it feels familiar from day one. No tones, no tenses, no grammatical gender, no plural forms.
You already have Malay friends, colleagues and neighbours here. Speaking a little of their language goes a long way in how you connect.
Malaysia's beloved blend of Malay, Chinese, Tamil and English. Learn Malay and you'll finally understand where those phrases came from — and maybe coin a few of your own.
You don't need to conjugate anything. You need to understand what your neighbour just said and reply without freezing up.
Every lesson centres on a real situation — haggling at the pasar, replying to your neighbour, surviving a work meeting.
25+ years leading academic programmes in Malaysian higher education, now applied to teaching you.
Kind, in-the-moment correction so slip-ups turn into fluency instead of embarrassment.
Manglish, local humour, and the little phrases that make people warm up to you instantly.
I've spent over 25 years in learning and teaching at Malaysian higher education institutions, & graduated with a PhD in Education from an Australian G8 university. Teaching conversational Malay to expats and international students is where I get to do the part I enjoy most: helping people feel genuinely at home here while having fun (and slightly embarrassing yourself at the pasar malam).
PhD, Education 🎓 25+ years teaching Edtech nerdChoose 1-on-1 for a pace tailored to you, or join a small group for the banter.
Sapa neighbours, guards, and shopkeepers without the awkward pause.
Know who's "encik," who's "kak," and who's "cikgu" — and when it matters.
Open a conversation and close it politely, without the awkward trailing off.
Talk about who you are, what you do, and where you're from.
Set a meeting, catch a Grab on time, and never mix up your hari again.
Read a kopitiam menu, customise your order, and ask for the bill.
Talk about your weekend, your interests, and what you get up to for fun.
Share your preferences and opinions — politely, and with the right amount of sass.
I could order food and understand the reply. Small thing, huge confidence boost.
Adrian teaches the Malay people actually speak, not the version in the app.
My neighbours started chatting with me properly after just a few weeks of classes.
No. Most students start from zero. Classes are paced around what you already understand, so absolute beginners and returning expats both fit in comfortably.
1-on-1 sessions are just you and me. Group sessions are capped at four people so everyone gets real speaking time.
Both are available. Online classes run over video call; in-person is arranged in the Klang Valley and Penang.
Just give 24 hours' notice by WhatsApp or email and we'll find another slot — no penalty.
Just two things:
Payment can be made electronically. Banking details will be furnished upon confirmation of the registration.
Book a trial lesson or just say hi — replies within a day.