Why can Malaysians speak English fluently?

Lee Hanxue, former Part time English tuition teacher

Answered Feb 1, 2017

A lot of Malaysians may not agree with me, but Malaysians do speak good English. We do mix
our English conversations with a lot of vernacular words, we butcher English words mercilessly
and our grammar may be atrocious. But for the large part, Malaysians can converse well with
another foreigner that speaks English. Even if the English-speaking foreigner visit the rural areas
of Malaysia. The exceptions are pre-independence (1957) folks who do not have the opportunity
to be educated in English. Everyone else should understand English, although some of us may
barely be able to speak English.

Do Malaysians Really Have Good English?

As a Malaysian, I used to think we have very poor English. When I listen to radio programmes,
watch English TV shows, heck even listen to an Australian or Briton speak, I feel our English is
really bad. Across the causeway, Singaporeans in general also have a better command of the
English language. Within this context, it is natural that Malaysians think lowly of our capabilities
in English.

Being based in China, I see that everyone with a university education actually has spent more
hours in English lessons and learn a lot more about grammar, proverbs and even poetry. Yet an
average Chinese can barely speak English, and have difficulty understanding a foreigner who is
speaking English. This is mostly because of the lack of opportunity to speak English. All the
lessons and knowledge is no use if one does not put it into use.

If we define “speak English fluently” as being able to communicate well with another English
speaker, and not nitpick about grammar usage, slang terms and pronunciation, then yes,
Malaysians do speak English fluently.

Education

All primary (7–12 years) and secondary (13–17+) school students are taught English. Whilst
English is no longer being used as the primary language of instruction since the Mahathir
administration (late 1980s), it is still a compulsory subject that students need to sit for exams.

English is also very important to open up further higher education avenues such as in developed
English speaking countries, prestigious colleges and foreign universities with campus(es) in
Malaysia - for example Monash, Heriot-Watt, Swinburne, the University of Nottingham.
In addition to that, proficient English is a requirement in many jobs, especially in multinational
companies or companies that do business with other countries

Career and Business

Which brings me to the next point: good English is mandatory to survive in the professional and
entrepreneurial world. Except for certain parts of the civil service and companies that cater
exclusively to non-English proficient customers, you need English to communicate with your
customers, suppliers and other parties. As much as Mahathir wanted to turn Malay into the pre-
eminent language in Malaysia, English is still the lingua-franca in the professional and business
world. I see fresh employees in retail who barely speak English quickly picking it up just to keep
their job.

Tourism

As of 2014, tourism contributes to 15% of Malaysia’s GDP. Malaysians working in the tourism
sector cannot expect foreign tourist to speak Malay and our mother tongues, can we? Again
English is the lingua-franca in the tourism industry. For areas that see a lot of tourist, it is only
natural that the locals can speak fluently in English.

Culture

Malaysians consume a lot of English contents. The top 2 best selling newspapers are English
dailies. On Facebook, you see Malaysians posting in English rather than in other languages. We
also watch a lot of English TV programmes, especially American shows. We read a lot of
English books. We are completely at ease with British and American culture. We would have
been American or British if we keep guns at home or have our mandatory afternoon tea.

Legacy

The Bristish started their colonial influence since the late 1700s and early 1800s in Malaysia.
Malaysia has been a British colony since then until its independence in 1957, save a short hiatus
during the Japanese occupation in World War II. Because of the long association with the British,
we have a British style government, education system and infrastructure. At the same time,
British culture also seep into the daily life of Malaysians, including English. All vernacular
languages in Malaysia contain bits and pieces of English words. For instance in Hokkien, we say
“go-stunt” when we mean reverse or go backwards. These words has been so deeply assimilated
that it becomes part of the local flavour of the languages.