The Centre for Languages and Cultural Diplomacy (CLCD) recently conducted the second series of the SiMPLE (Special Malay Proficiency Language Enhancement Programme) 2024, aimed at Locally Recruited Staff (LRS) at Malaysian diplomatic missions overseas. This programme aimed to provide participants with foundational Malay language skills to help them perform daily tasks at their missions more effectively.
Held from 3 September to 19 November 2024, the course welcomed 23 participants from 10 missions, including Berlin, Brussels, Budapest, Dublin, Helsinki, Madrid, Rome, Stockholm, Paris, and Warsaw. The sessions were held every Tuesday and Thursday via Zoom, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm (Malaysian time). The 42-contact-hour programme covered the Malay language sound system, introductions and small talk about food, weather, directions, and numbers, as well as reading Malay texts and completing official forms. In addition to the online training sessions, participants also had access to simulation sessions such as role-playing and interactive conversations.
Upon completion, participants expressed satisfaction with their new skills and the engaging learning environment, which motivated them to apply their knowledge in serving Malaysian missions abroad. On 12 December 2024, Dato’ Syed Bakri Syed Abdul Rahman, Director General of IDFR, delivered closing remarks and awarded Certificates of Completion and Certificates of Attendance to all participants via Zoom.
