GLOBAL CLASSROOM: MALAY LANGUAGE FOR ALL

GAMBANG, 17 September 2024 - In an engaging and lively global classroom event, organised by Ms Jamilah Bebe binti Mohamad, Dr. Wiji Sumarno from Universitas Islam Negara Salatiga, Indonesia, and Mrs. Anis Nabilla Ahmad from Universiti Sains Malaysia, captivated students with a two-part exploration of the Indonesian and Malaysian languages.

This Global Classroom is particularly special because it is the first to be organised for undergraduate and doctoral students enrolled in the Malay Language for All course, a short-term program offered by the Postgraduate Association (PGA) IPS association.

The first session began with Dr. Wiji’s engaging presentation, where he traced the shared roots of both languages in Classical Malay. He highlighted the geographical and historical connections that create significant linguistic similarities. Yet, he also noted how colonial influences led to distinct differences; Indonesians embraced Dutch vocabulary, while Malaysians integrated English vocabulary. As a result, expressions like "kantor" in Indonesia and "pejabat" in Malaysia illustrate the fascinating divergence born from their shared heritage.

The second session shifted its focus to practical language use, teaching students how to introduce family members in the Malay language. In addition, participants learned essential phrases for asking about names, ages, and occupations, enhancing their conversational skills. Mrs. Anis Nabilla Ahmad emphasised the importance of cultural context, encouraging students to share personal stories about their families.

By the end of the event, participants emerged with a deeper appreciation for the linguistic connections between Indonesia and Malaysia, enriched by the practical knowledge gained in the Global Classroom. A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Wiji, Mrs Anis Nabilla and Ms Jamilah for their contributions, as well as to the Centre for Modern Languages at UMPSA for organising this enriching experience.

It is hoped that more Global Classroom sessions will be conducted in the future.

Prepared by: Abdelrahman Mohamed Farouk
(Student, Doctor of Philosophy Faculty Civil Engineering Technology)