Read Unit 1: A visit from a pen pal

Unit 1: A visit from a pen pal

Malaysia is a diverse country located in Southeast Asia, known for its two regions - West Malaysia and East Malaysia. These regions are separated by a sea and together make up a total area of 329,758 sq km. The country enjoys a tropical climate and the official currency is the ringgit.

The capital city of Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur, which is also the largest city in the country with a population of over 22 million in 2001. Islam is the official religion of Malaysia, but there are also other religions practiced such as Buddhism and Hinduism. The national language is Bahasa Malaysia, but English, Chinese, and Tamil are also widely spoken.

In terms of education, Bahasa Malaysia is the primary language of instruction for primary school children, with English being a compulsory second language. In secondary schools, Bahasa Malaysia remains the primary language of instruction, but some students may continue to learn in Chinese or Tamil.