General Studies in Malaysia
An international school in malaysia –‐ which teaches children in international schools how to speak English, how to behave, how to fit in with other children internationally and how to enjoy school life –‐ is a real eye-opener. The school's website boasts that it is "the most multicultural school in Southeast Asia", and it caters to a truly unique mix of nationalities. Among the students are children from China, Japan, India, Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean and more.
Established in 2003, this school has become quite the hub for expatriate communities in Malaysia. It provides an international education for young children where they can socialise and make new friends, while also gaining access to a top-notch English-taught education.
The school has a Chinese and an English-medium stream, and from the start, it offered a British curriculum, which has since been bolstered by specialist teachers and mentors who come from the UK and other parts of Europe. This is important because the number of British passport-holders in Malaysia has more than quintupled in the last ten years –‐ from around 14,000 to over 75,000. More and more families are choosing to raise their children overseas, meaning there is a huge demand for English-taught Bachelors and Graduates. In 2018, there were 26,400 new jobs available in Malaysia, almost exclusively in the English-speaking realm –‐ over 140,000 jobs were advertised on job boards, and 72% of those were in teaching and supporting roles.
Many international schools in Malaysia have sprouted up in recent years, catering to the booming economy and increasingly diverse communities. Schools in Kuala Lumpur and Labuan, for example, have seen their application rates double, and in some cases, triple in the last year alone. Some schools have even resorted to placing adders on their websites, simply to ensure that English-speaking parents can find them.
Why teach your child English at an international school in Malaysia?
As a parent looking to find the best International School for your child in Malaysia, you would naturally begin your search by checking the curriculum, or courses of study, available. You would want to find a school that has a strong academic record and a proven commitment to excellence. Of course, you also want to be sure that your child is developing socially and personally, and that they are making friendly connections with other students and teachers. You would also want to be sure that the school can meet your family's needs –‐ particularly when it comes to extra‐curricular activities, sports and community engagement. With so much competition in Malaysia, especially among private schools, you can be sure that any school will fight hard to secure your family's business. As a parent, you need to make sure that your kid gets the very best education, and that should be your priority, no matter where you choose to study in Malaysia.
An education in English
One of the things that you will notice about the schools in Malaysia is that they all teach in English. In fact, all formal education in Malaysia –‐ from pre-school to university –‐ is exclusively delivered in English. For those seeking an international education in Malaysia, this poses challenges, as neither of the national languages, Malay nor English, are widely spoken abroad. Parents who plan on sending their kids to an international school in Malaysia will therefore need to consider how they are going to facilitate communication with other students and teachers.
The good news is that English is a widely-taught intermediate language –‐ especially in Malaysia, where there is a huge demand for English-taught jobs. According to the latest Education and Skills Survey in Malaysia, released in May 2019, 40.5% of respondents said that they had some formal education in English, and another 22% said that they had some exposure to the language –‐ but not enough to be truly competent. Amongst young people, it was reported that only 19% could read a simple text in English –‐ and 13% could write one. That is compared to a global average of 26% and 22% respectively. In other words, there is a huge demand for people who can read and write in English, and that is something that an international school in Malaysia can provide.
The schools in Malaysia do not just teach English; they also provide a British-style education. On arrival, the applicant is greeted by a member of the school's staff who will show them to their desk. The school provides every child with a laptop or a tablet computer, and that is where they do their research and work, gaining the skills that they need for the future. These devices are also used for recreational purposes, as schools can set limits on how much screen time the students can indulge in.
Curriculum
Even before you start looking at individual schools, you should always begin your search with the curriculum, or course of study, that they offer. As noted, all formal education in Malaysia is delivered in English, and that is also true for pre-school through to university. A good school will have a strong academic record and offer a wide range of courses, so that no matter what your child's interests or career goals, they will have the knowledge and skills to reach their full potential. There are three possible streams available at the moment: General Studies, Business Studies and Science.
General Studies is the compulsory, non-specific education that all students must complete. It is, essentially, the equivalent of the General Certificate of Secondary Education in the UK. Every student at the school is required to study History, Geography, Art, Physical Education, Citizenship, Life Skills, Computing and English Language. These subjects are delivered through a variety of mediums, including English and, of course, Bahasa Malaysia.
Business Studies is just what it says on the tin: it is the study of business and how it functions, broadly speaking. As with the other two streams, the curriculum is delivered through a combination of face-to-face teaching, via conference calls and online learning. While you may not realise it, Business Studies is becoming a very important subject to study for those intending to enter the world of work. According to the Malaysian education system, students can begin their studies in Business Studies at either the end of Junior Secondary School, or the start of Senior Secondary School. From the syllabus, you will learn about Accounting, Economics, Organisations, Human Resources, Business Environment, Marketing and Management. Students can then continue on to study either Business or Accountancy at university. In 2018, there were 15,400 new jobs available in Malaysia, 10,900 of which were in the business sector –‐ that is nearly one in four jobs.
Science is, once again, taught through a combination of face-to‐face teaching, online learning and conferences. The curriculum is delivered in the same way as for Business Studies, but with a heavier emphasis on practical applications. The school encourages its students to develop an interest in science through engaging with real-life cases, such as drug trials and experiments, genetic testing, and forensic science. Naturally, with a heavy emphasis on practical application and investigative skills, it is no surprise that many students go on to study science at university. From the course, you will learn about Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences.
Extracurricular activities
Another important factor to consider when choosing an International School in Malaysia is the range of extra-curricular activities that they provide. All schools should have the opportunity to develop their children's social and sports abilities, as well as teach them discipline and responsibility. There are numerous opportunities for the sporty children, with cricket and football being the most popular, though volleyball and badminton are also available. For the more adventurous among them, basketball and hockey can be played during the winter months.
In terms of outdoor education, the school features a pool that is open to the public, as well as hosting other schools' pupils for weekly competitions. In the winter months, the outdoor playground is a hive of activity, as the school encourages its students to play in the snow. In the summer, the forest fringes provide the perfect place for children to run around and play. It is also possible to take part in workshops and learn new things, as the school offers a variety of extra-curricular activities, such as clay modelling, graphic design, drawing, photography, cooking and even game design.
Choosing an international school in Malaysia means that you will have access to a world-class education, with excellent facilities and a great environment for your kids to learn and grow in. If you are seeking a new challenge, an international school in Malaysia could be the perfect fit. And, as many of the schools offer a substantial discount to Australian students, it could be a great option for those seeking to further their education in Malaysia.