Malay Language

Explore how the Malay Language curriculum builds pupils' skills through fun, interactive programmes and cultural activities.

Last updated 13 May 2026

Malay Language Curriculum

The Malay Language Curriculum (Primary) was developed by MOE to achieve our education philosophy which is to nurture knowledgeable person, active contributor and morally upright individuals. This philosophy is in line with the vision of the teaching and learning of Malay Language that is the Vision of Arif Budiman, namely the learned person who contributes to society. The vision sets the direction for teachers to develop the language skills and knowledge, and to internalise the values and culture.

The ML syllabus focus on listening, speaking, reading, writing, written interaction as well as oral interaction skills. These skills are taught so that pupils are able to communicate and interact effectively and with confidence.

Malay-language slide titled Model Kemahiran Teras Bahasa showing a diagram of four core language skills linked by arrows.

Picture adapted from the 2015 Primary Malay Language Syllabus

The Malay Language department uses student-centered approach, which focuses on teaching Malay Language in a fun and interactive manner. This will help pupils to be active and competent users of the language. Differentiated learning is adopted to cater to pupils with different learning profile and ability. This is to gradually build up pupils’ competency and understanding in the language. Explicit teaching of Malay Language will help pupils to improve on their mastery of the language.

Diagram of the 2024 Malay Primary School Curriculum Model with an orange flower chart and Malay text labels.

Programmes

P1 MTL Read with Me Programme (ML session)

This programme provides a platform for parents to bond with their child and cultivate a love for reading by making reading an enjoyable and meaningful activity. During this programme, students learn their Mother Tongue Language through a fun, engaging and interactive story telling session followed by a craft-making activity for both parent and child to work together on. Parents too learn tips and ideas on how to strengthen parent-child bonding through shared reading experiences at home.

A woman in a black hijab helps a young boy wearing a paper leaf headband color a drawing at a craft table.

Adults and children sit at tables doing craft activities with foam stickers and paper in a classroom.

Two children in animal costumes with headset mics stand before a classroom screen showing Malay text and an orangutan.

Three children in animal costumes read from cards during a classroom performance while seated students watch.

P2 Pentas Cerita – Drama Programme (ALP)

This drama programme is conceptualized to develop communication skills through the integration of interactive drama activities to encourage dynamic language learning. Through this programme, P2 students learn to communicate their thoughts, expand their vocabulary, perfect their articulation and redirect their energy and imagination to effectively express themselves in Malay!

Young students in white and navy uniforms play an active group game inside a classroom.

Young students in school uniforms stand in a circle with hands on heads, led by a teacher in a classroom.

Young students in Gongshang Primary uniforms play an active group game in a bright classroom supervised by a teacher.

Young children in Gongshang Primary school uniforms playing and making funny poses in a classroom.

P4&5 HML Petah Pintar - Hosting & Presentation Skills (ALP)

Petah Pintar aims to develop effective oral communication to inspire students to gain self-confidence and be well-equipped with the skills to interact with an audience. Using role-playing as a means of self-expression, Petah Pintar helps students to develop good public speaking skills. Students will be immersed in the art of effective communication, learn presenting skills and explore their own style to host with confidence.

A group of smiling students holding certificates pose with two adults in a classroom in front of a whiteboard.

National Malay Writing Competition

Our students took part in the Primary 5 and 6 category of the National Malay Writing Competition. This annual competition celebrates and nurtures local literary talent. It unites participants from various backgrounds and age groups, offering them a platform to showcase their creativity, mastery of the Malay language and deep passion for writing.

Bronze Award winners

Safiya Aisyah Binte Mohamed Razif from 5P

Misha Maisara Binte Muhamad Shadick from 5P

Nur Fatihah Aliyah Binte Mohammad Fhadley from 5I

Silver Award winners

Auni Sofiyyah Binte Aminurrashid from 5P

Muhammad Fahyim Shawqi Bin Muhammad Faizal from 5P

Nuryn Hana Safiyya Binte Mus Mulyadi from 5R

Among almost 60 entries from schools across the nation, Arissa Binte Saiful Johan from 6T, has achieved an amazing Third Place in the Final Round of the National Malay Writing Competition!

Seven students and a teacher pose on stage holding certificates at the National Malay Writing Competition.

A woman and a girl holding a 3rd place certificate together on a wooden stage in front of a screen.

P6 Cultural Camp

The Malay pupils participated in two experiential activities which are the Wayang Kulit with Puppet Making and Die-cut Rumah Kampung Model Making, to strengthen language proficiency and cultural appreciation. Through the Wayang Kulit activity, pupils applied oral communication skills such as voice projection and intonation in Malay language while collaborating to perform a simple presentation. The Rumah Kampung model-making activity enabled pupils to learn about traditional house structures and cultural vocabulary through hands-on learning, promoting critical thinking collaboration and self-management.

Recommended Resources

Malay Dictionaries
Online E-Dictionary : https://prpm.dbp.gov.my/ (opens in new tab)

Reading Materials
For Primary 1: https://mllpc.sg/publications/3 (opens in new tab)
For Primary 2: https://mllpc.sg/publications/4 (opens in new tab)
For Primary 3: https://mllpc.sg/publications/8 (opens in new tab)
For Primary 4: https://mllpc.sg/publications/9 (opens in new tab)
For Primary 5 and 6: https://mllpc.sg/publications/11 (opens in new tab)
For Primary 5 and 6: https://mllpc.sg/publications/12 (opens in new tab)

Printed Dictionary

Red book cover with gold text reading Kamus Dewan edisi keempat and a small floral emblem at the bottom right.

Book cover titled Kamus Pelajar Bahasa Melayu Dewan Edisi Kedua with blue and purple design and a red Harga Ekonomi sticker.