THE MALAYSIAN EFL LANGUAGE PLANNING AND POLICY AND THE IMPACT ON EFL READING PROFICIENCY: A REVIEW

Harison M. Sidek

doi:10.18768/ijaedu.401163

Research Article

Year 2017, , 716 - 723, 27.12.2017

Harison M. Sidek

https://doi.org/10.18768/ijaedu.401163

Abstract

References

Abdullah. H & Sidek, H.M. (2012). L2 writing feedback: Alignment of instructional planning and implementation. Journal of Language Studies, 15, 15-17. Asmah, H. O. (1996). Post-imperial English in Malaysia. In J. A. Fishman, A. W. Conrad and A. Rubal-Lopez (eds.), Post-Imperial English. Status Change in Former British and American Colonies, 1940–1990 (pp. 513-533). Berlin and New York: Mouton de Gruyter. Asmah, H. O. (1979). Language planning for unity and efficiency: A Study of the language status and corpus planning of Malaysia. University of Malaya: Kuala Lumpur. Baharun, H., Sidek, H.M., Saad N.S.M., Idrus, M.M., Harun, H., Darmi. R, Abdullah, N. & Ashikin, Z. (2016). The Malaysain secondary school EFL speaking curriculum: A theoretical foundation alignment analysis. International Journal of Advance Social Sciences, 2(6), 465-474. Beck, I. L. & McKeown, M. G. (2006). Improving comprehension with questioning the author: A fresh and expanded view of a powerful approach. Scholastic. Course of Studies Regulation II. (1956). Cited in Foo, B. & C. Richards. (2004). English in Malaysia, RELC Journal, 35(2), 229-240. Education Ordinance. (1957). Malaysian Ministry of Education (MOE). Retrieved from http://www.moe.gov.my. Foo, B. & Richards, C. (2004). English in Malaysia, RELC Journal, 35(2), 229-240. Gill, S. K. (2006). Change in language policy the reality of implementation in public universities. Current issues in language planning. Special Issue on Language Planning and Academic Communication, 7(1), 82-94. Gopinathan, S. (2003). Language policy changes 1979–1997: Politics and pedagogy. In. Grabe, W. (1991). Current developments in second language reading research. TESOL Quarterly, 25(3), 375-406. Faizah, A. M., Zalizan, M. J., & Norzaini, A. (2002). Selected Malaysian adult learners’ academic reading strategies: A case study. Retrieved from http://www.face. stir.ac.uk/ Majidp61.htm. Heng C. S. & Tan, H. (2006). English for mathematics and science: Current Malaysian language-in-education policies and practices. Language and Education, 20(4), 306-321. Kalaverny, R. (1986). The present status of Malaysian English: The restriction phase. Singapore: RELC. Kaplan, R. R. & Baldauf, R. B. (1997). Language planning: From practice to theory. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters. Kanagasabai, S. (1996). Proficiency in ESL: A study of Indian urban and rural learners. MESL Thesis. University of Malaya Kuala Lumpur. Kaur, S. K. & Thiyagarajah, R. (1999). The English reading habits of ELLs student in University Science Malaysia. Original ultiBASE publication. Paper presented at the Sixth International Literacy and Education Research Network Conference on Learning, Bayview Beach Resort, Penang, Malaysia 27 - 30 September 1999. La Morgia, F. (2014). Assessing the relationship between input and strength of language development: A study on Italian-English bilingual children. In C. Silva-Corvalán & J. Treffers-Daller (Eds.), Language dominance in 29 bilinguals: Issues of measurement and operationalization. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Lee, K. S. (2004). Reading into our reading tests. In Wijayasuriya, B. & F. Hashim (Eds.), Reading Connections (pp. 128-140). Petaling Jaya: Sasbadi Sdn Bhd. LeVasan, M. (1983). A critique on the current English reading programme of undergraduates of UKM. MA Thesis. University of Malaya: Kuala Lumpur. Mahathir, M. (1986). The Challenge. Petaling Jaya: Pelanduk Publication. Mustapha, Z. (1995). Schemata as a reading strategy. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No ED 415 497). Nambiar, G. R. (2005). Why don’t they read the way they should? Online submission. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No ED 4903379). Retrieved from http://www.google. com/search?hl=en&q=radha+nambiar-gopal. National Language Act. (1971). Malaysian Ministry of Education (MOE). Retrieved from http://www.moe.gov.my. Pennycook, A. (1994). The cultural politics of English as an international language. New York: Longman. Phillipson, R. (1992). Linguistic imperialism. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Place, S. & Hoff, E. (2011). Properties of dual language exposure that influnec a two-year-old’s bilinguals proficiency. Child Development, 82, 1834-1849. Ponniah, K.S. (1993). Improving academic reading ability of EFL students at tertiary level. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation. University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. Powell, R. (2002). Language planning and the British empire: Comparing Pakistan, Malaysia, and Kenya. Current Issues in Language Planning, 3(3), 205-279. Razak Committee. (1955). Razak Report of the Education Committee. Ministry of Education Malaysia. Retrieved from http: //www.moe.gov.my. Ramaiah, M. & Nambiar, M. K. (1993). Do undergraduates understand what they read: An investigation into the comprehension monitoring of ESL students through the use of textual anomalies. Journal of Educational Research, 15, 95-106. Ridge, S. G. M. (2004). Bangsa Malaysia and recent English language policy. Current Issues in Language Planning, 5(4), 407-423. Saad, N.S.M., Yamat, Y., Sidek, H.M., Baharun, H. & Idrus, M.M. (2016a), Acts of Agency in English Language Learning Experience. International E-journal of Advances in Social Sciences, 2(6), 733- 746. Saad, N.S.M., Sidek, H.M., Baharun, H. & Idrus, M.M. & Yunus. M.Y. (2016b). A Conceptual Framework to Explore the English Language Learning Experiences of International Students in Malaysia. International E-journal of Advances in Social Sciences, 2(6), 453-464. Shih, M. (1992). Beyond comprehension exercises in the ESL academic reading class. TESOL Quarterly, 26(2), 289-317. Shukor et al. (1993). Towards ESP programmes in technical and vocational institutions in Malaysia. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 369 266). Sidek, H. M. (2010a). An analysis of the EFL secondary reading curriculum in Malaysia: approaches to reading and preparation for higher education. Doctor of Philosophy, University of Pittsburgh. Sidek, H.M. (2010b). Reading Attitudes a Case Study in Malaysia. Annals of Language Teaching, (pp. 209- 215), Boca Raton, Florida: Universal-Publishers. Sidek, H. M. (2010c). Reading Instruction: Theory and Practice. Nilai: Usim Publisher. Sidek, H.M. (2011). Methods of EFL secondary reading instruction: Preparation of higher education. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 1(3), 181-191. Sidek, H. M. (2012a). EFL reading instruction: Communicative task-based approach. International Journal of Instruction, 5(2), 109-128.   Sidek, H. M. (2012b). EFL textbook analysis: A case study. Language and Literacy Journal, 14(3), 27-45. Sidek, H.M. (2012c). Reading Attitudes: A Case Study in Malaysia. Proceedings of the 2009 International Online Language Conference (IOLC 2009), p.209. Annals of Language and Learning: Boca Raton: Universal Publisher Sidek, H.M. (2012d). EFL Language Learning Personality Traits and Instruction. International Journal of Learning, 18(5), 255-272. Sidek, H. M. (2013a). A Cross-Linguistic Study of Vocabulary Knowledge and Second Language Reading Development. Frontiers of Language and Teaching, 4, 178-185. Sidek, H. M. (2013b). Communicative reading instructional approach: A Curriculum Review. International Journal of Interdisciplinary Educational Studies, 7(1), 9-20. Sidek, H. M. & Abdullah, H. (2013). EFL Reading Comprehension and Preparation For Higher Education: A Textbook Analysis. Journal of Teaching and Education, 24(4), 425-435. Sidek, H. M., Abdullah, H. & Rahim, H.A. (2013). Reading Curriculum and Instructional Analysis: Preparation for Academic Literacy at Higher Institutions. Journal of Teaching and Education, 2(2), 389-396. Sidek, H.M., H. Abdullah, H.A. Rahim & Mohamed, Y. (2014). ESL Reading Instruction: Alignment of Curriculum and Implementation. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 118, 442-449. Sidek, H. M. (2014). English Language Reading Preparation for Higher Education: An Evaluation of the Form Four English Language Textbook and Instructional Design. Journal of Social Science and Humanities (PERTANIKA), 22(2), 539-558. Sidek, H., & Rahim, H. (2014). ESL reading instruction: Alignment of curriculum implementation. Paper presented at the 6th International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies, Barcelona, Spain. Shukor et al. (1993). Towards ESP programmes in technical and vocational institutions in Malaysia. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 369 266). Tsui, A. B. M. & Tollefson, J. W. (eds.). (2006). Language policy, culture, and identity in Asian contexts. Lawrence Erlbaum, Mahwah, NJ. World Bank. (1995). Education and information is fundamental to success. Beyond transition: The newsletter about reforming economies. Retrieved from www.World bank.org/ html /prddr/trans/n&d95/wolf.htm

THE MALAYSIAN EFL LANGUAGE PLANNING AND POLICY AND THE IMPACT ON EFL READING PROFICIENCY: A REVIEW

Year 2017, , 716 - 723, 27.12.2017

Harison M. Sidek

https://doi.org/10.18768/ijaedu.401163

Abstract

Within the Malaysian setting, the English
language is a foreign language that is widely used and has gained its status as
a prominent linguistic liaison not only in the political, economic and social
domains, but also within the educational context. Hailed as a lingua franca,
the English language maintains its significance at the global level and due to
such status; it has been made a mandatory subject at the elementary, secondary
and tertiary educational institutions in Malaysia. The purpose of this paper is
to present the review of English as a foreign language (EFL) in terms of its
historical path and its connection to EFL literacy issues within the Malaysian
educational context. The historical review of the Malaysian education with
regards to EFL reveals that the mandatory inclusion of the English language in
the school and higher institutions’ curriculum could be traced back as a
linguistic culturalization effect of the British colonization. The review also
indicates that the pattern of inclusion of the EFL in the Malaysian educational
system seems to be developmental in nature but with some patterns of
consistency at the initial stage of its inclusion. As with regards to the EFL
literacy issues, the review shows that the shifting from the English medium to
the Malay medium in Malaysian public schools could be inferred as one of the
causes of the emergence of issues in the EFL literacy amongst Malaysian
learners. The outcomes of the review have implications on EFL policy and
curriculum development as well as their future revisions in the Malaysian
context.

Keywords

EFL, secondary education, curriculum, literacy, educational policy

References

Abdullah. H & Sidek, H.M. (2012). L2 writing feedback: Alignment of instructional planning and implementation. Journal of Language Studies, 15, 15-17. Asmah, H. O. (1996). Post-imperial English in Malaysia. In J. A. Fishman, A. W. Conrad and A. Rubal-Lopez (eds.), Post-Imperial English. Status Change in Former British and American Colonies, 1940–1990 (pp. 513-533). Berlin and New York: Mouton de Gruyter. Asmah, H. O. (1979). Language planning for unity and efficiency: A Study of the language status and corpus planning of Malaysia. University of Malaya: Kuala Lumpur. Baharun, H., Sidek, H.M., Saad N.S.M., Idrus, M.M., Harun, H., Darmi. R, Abdullah, N. & Ashikin, Z. (2016). The Malaysain secondary school EFL speaking curriculum: A theoretical foundation alignment analysis. International Journal of Advance Social Sciences, 2(6), 465-474. Beck, I. L. & McKeown, M. G. (2006). Improving comprehension with questioning the author: A fresh and expanded view of a powerful approach. Scholastic. Course of Studies Regulation II. (1956). Cited in Foo, B. & C. Richards. (2004). English in Malaysia, RELC Journal, 35(2), 229-240. Education Ordinance. (1957). Malaysian Ministry of Education (MOE). Retrieved from http://www.moe.gov.my. Foo, B. & Richards, C. (2004). English in Malaysia, RELC Journal, 35(2), 229-240. Gill, S. K. (2006). Change in language policy the reality of implementation in public universities. Current issues in language planning. Special Issue on Language Planning and Academic Communication, 7(1), 82-94. Gopinathan, S. (2003). Language policy changes 1979–1997: Politics and pedagogy. In. Grabe, W. (1991). Current developments in second language reading research. TESOL Quarterly, 25(3), 375-406. Faizah, A. M., Zalizan, M. J., & Norzaini, A. (2002). Selected Malaysian adult learners’ academic reading strategies: A case study. Retrieved from http://www.face. stir.ac.uk/ Majidp61.htm. Heng C. S. & Tan, H. (2006). English for mathematics and science: Current Malaysian language-in-education policies and practices. Language and Education, 20(4), 306-321. Kalaverny, R. (1986). The present status of Malaysian English: The restriction phase. Singapore: RELC. Kaplan, R. R. & Baldauf, R. B. (1997). Language planning: From practice to theory. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters. Kanagasabai, S. (1996). Proficiency in ESL: A study of Indian urban and rural learners. MESL Thesis. University of Malaya Kuala Lumpur. Kaur, S. K. & Thiyagarajah, R. (1999). The English reading habits of ELLs student in University Science Malaysia. Original ultiBASE publication. Paper presented at the Sixth International Literacy and Education Research Network Conference on Learning, Bayview Beach Resort, Penang, Malaysia 27 - 30 September 1999. La Morgia, F. (2014). Assessing the relationship between input and strength of language development: A study on Italian-English bilingual children. In C. Silva-Corvalán & J. Treffers-Daller (Eds.), Language dominance in 29 bilinguals: Issues of measurement and operationalization. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Lee, K. S. (2004). Reading into our reading tests. In Wijayasuriya, B. & F. Hashim (Eds.), Reading Connections (pp. 128-140). Petaling Jaya: Sasbadi Sdn Bhd. LeVasan, M. (1983). A critique on the current English reading programme of undergraduates of UKM. MA Thesis. University of Malaya: Kuala Lumpur. Mahathir, M. (1986). The Challenge. Petaling Jaya: Pelanduk Publication. Mustapha, Z. (1995). Schemata as a reading strategy. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No ED 415 497). Nambiar, G. R. (2005). Why don’t they read the way they should? Online submission. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No ED 4903379). Retrieved from http://www.google. com/search?hl=en&q=radha+nambiar-gopal. National Language Act. (1971). Malaysian Ministry of Education (MOE). Retrieved from http://www.moe.gov.my. Pennycook, A. (1994). The cultural politics of English as an international language. New York: Longman. Phillipson, R. (1992). Linguistic imperialism. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Place, S. & Hoff, E. (2011). Properties of dual language exposure that influnec a two-year-old’s bilinguals proficiency. Child Development, 82, 1834-1849. Ponniah, K.S. (1993). Improving academic reading ability of EFL students at tertiary level. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation. University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. Powell, R. (2002). Language planning and the British empire: Comparing Pakistan, Malaysia, and Kenya. Current Issues in Language Planning, 3(3), 205-279. Razak Committee. (1955). Razak Report of the Education Committee. Ministry of Education Malaysia. Retrieved from http: //www.moe.gov.my. Ramaiah, M. & Nambiar, M. K. (1993). Do undergraduates understand what they read: An investigation into the comprehension monitoring of ESL students through the use of textual anomalies. Journal of Educational Research, 15, 95-106. Ridge, S. G. M. (2004). Bangsa Malaysia and recent English language policy. Current Issues in Language Planning, 5(4), 407-423. Saad, N.S.M., Yamat, Y., Sidek, H.M., Baharun, H. & Idrus, M.M. (2016a), Acts of Agency in English Language Learning Experience. International E-journal of Advances in Social Sciences, 2(6), 733- 746. Saad, N.S.M., Sidek, H.M., Baharun, H. & Idrus, M.M. & Yunus. M.Y. (2016b). A Conceptual Framework to Explore the English Language Learning Experiences of International Students in Malaysia. International E-journal of Advances in Social Sciences, 2(6), 453-464. Shih, M. (1992). Beyond comprehension exercises in the ESL academic reading class. TESOL Quarterly, 26(2), 289-317. Shukor et al. (1993). Towards ESP programmes in technical and vocational institutions in Malaysia. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 369 266). Sidek, H. M. (2010a). An analysis of the EFL secondary reading curriculum in Malaysia: approaches to reading and preparation for higher education. Doctor of Philosophy, University of Pittsburgh. Sidek, H.M. (2010b). Reading Attitudes a Case Study in Malaysia. Annals of Language Teaching, (pp. 209- 215), Boca Raton, Florida: Universal-Publishers. Sidek, H. M. (2010c). Reading Instruction: Theory and Practice. Nilai: Usim Publisher. Sidek, H.M. (2011). Methods of EFL secondary reading instruction: Preparation of higher education. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 1(3), 181-191. Sidek, H. M. (2012a). EFL reading instruction: Communicative task-based approach. International Journal of Instruction, 5(2), 109-128.   Sidek, H. M. (2012b). EFL textbook analysis: A case study. Language and Literacy Journal, 14(3), 27-45. Sidek, H.M. (2012c). Reading Attitudes: A Case Study in Malaysia. Proceedings of the 2009 International Online Language Conference (IOLC 2009), p.209. Annals of Language and Learning: Boca Raton: Universal Publisher Sidek, H.M. (2012d). EFL Language Learning Personality Traits and Instruction. International Journal of Learning, 18(5), 255-272. Sidek, H. M. (2013a). A Cross-Linguistic Study of Vocabulary Knowledge and Second Language Reading Development. Frontiers of Language and Teaching, 4, 178-185. Sidek, H. M. (2013b). Communicative reading instructional approach: A Curriculum Review. International Journal of Interdisciplinary Educational Studies, 7(1), 9-20. Sidek, H. M. & Abdullah, H. (2013). EFL Reading Comprehension and Preparation For Higher Education: A Textbook Analysis. Journal of Teaching and Education, 24(4), 425-435. Sidek, H. M., Abdullah, H. & Rahim, H.A. (2013). Reading Curriculum and Instructional Analysis: Preparation for Academic Literacy at Higher Institutions. Journal of Teaching and Education, 2(2), 389-396. Sidek, H.M., H. Abdullah, H.A. Rahim & Mohamed, Y. (2014). ESL Reading Instruction: Alignment of Curriculum and Implementation. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 118, 442-449. Sidek, H. M. (2014). English Language Reading Preparation for Higher Education: An Evaluation of the Form Four English Language Textbook and Instructional Design. Journal of Social Science and Humanities (PERTANIKA), 22(2), 539-558. Sidek, H., & Rahim, H. (2014). ESL reading instruction: Alignment of curriculum implementation. Paper presented at the 6th International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies, Barcelona, Spain. Shukor et al. (1993). Towards ESP programmes in technical and vocational institutions in Malaysia. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 369 266). Tsui, A. B. M. & Tollefson, J. W. (eds.). (2006). Language policy, culture, and identity in Asian contexts. Lawrence Erlbaum, Mahwah, NJ. World Bank. (1995). Education and information is fundamental to success. Beyond transition: The newsletter about reforming economies. Retrieved from www.World bank.org/ html /prddr/trans/n&d95/wolf.htm

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Details

Primary Language	English
Journal Section	Articles
Authors	Harison M. Sidek
Publication Date	December 27, 2017
Submission Date	October 1, 2017
Published in Issue	Year 2017

Cite

EndNote	Sidek HM (December 1, 2017) THE MALAYSIAN EFL LANGUAGE PLANNING AND POLICY AND THE IMPACT ON EFL READING PROFICIENCY: A REVIEW. IJAEDU- International E-Journal of Advances in Education 3 9 716–723.