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ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION REFORM IN MALAYSIA

What is the thinking behind the reform?

The reform builds on existing policy and ideas presented in the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-
2015 (MEB), and takes the next step.

First, the Memartabatkan Bahasa Malaysia dan Memperkukuh Bahasa Inggeris (MBMMBI) policy
highlighted the need to “strengthen” English.

Secondly, aspirations for the development of the national education system including English were put
forward in MEB.

Thirdly, the MoE has taken the decision to adopt international standard for the teaching and learning of
English in the form of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

The reform puts into effect the
English part of the MBMMBI
policy, and includes a series of
practical steps to turn the
aspirations of the MEB and the
decision to adopt the CEFR into
reality in the nation‟s classrooms.

Information about the CEFR can
be accessed on the Council
Europe webside.

CEFR Handbook

As the Roadmap is implemented, we need to be clear what counts as success, and we need to
measure our progress, so that we know how successful we have been. Realistic target have been set
according to the CEFR levels for 2025. Preschool children are expected to be moving towards A1
when they enter primary school, and to reach A2 by the time they leave. Secondary school children
are expected to pass through B1, and the target for post-secondary students is B2. University
students are expected to reach B2 or C1 depending on their area of study, and the target for English
teachers is at least C1. These targets will be used to monitor progress at appropriate intervals
between now and 2025.
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