Emi In Higher Education In Malaysia

Saran Kaur Gill/UKM/HKUSaran Kaur Gill/UKM/HKU

EMI IN HIGHER EDUCATIONEMI IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN IN MALAYSIAMALAYSIA

The Dilemma of the State and The Dilemma of the State and

Agents of ImplementationAgents of Implementation

Invitational Symposium 2006Invitational Symposium 2006Language Issues in English-medium Universities Language Issues in English-medium Universities

Across AsiaAcross Asia8-9 June 20068-9 June 2006

University of Hong KongUniversity of Hong Kong

Saran Kaur GillSaran Kaur Gill

Universiti Kebangsaan MalaysiaUniversiti Kebangsaan Malaysia


This presentation is based on the This presentation is based on the following forthcoming publication.following forthcoming publication.

2006 2006 Gill, Saran K. Medium of Instruction Change in Gill, Saran K. Medium of Instruction Change in Higher Education in Malaysia: The Reality of Attitudes and Higher Education in Malaysia: The Reality of Attitudes and Implementation. In Implementation. In Advances in Language Studies.Advances in Language Studies. Edited by Giandomenico Sica. Monza: Edited by Giandomenico Sica. Monza: Polimetrica Publisher. Forthcoming.Polimetrica Publisher. Forthcoming.


BACKGROUND OF USE OF BACKGROUND OF USE OF BAHASA MELAYU IN MALAYSIABAHASA MELAYU IN MALAYSIA

• Bahasa Melayu since 1957 has been the Bahasa Melayu since 1957 has been the national and official language national and official language

• Since 1970, actively implemented in the Since 1970, actively implemented in the domain of education - at all levels from domain of education - at all levels from primary to tertiary and for all fieldsprimary to tertiary and for all fields

• Used in domain of government Used in domain of government administration administration

• Domain of business - ?Domain of business - ?


Sudden Change – Language of Sudden Change – Language of InstructionInstruction• announced in the mass media on the 11announced in the mass media on the 11thth

of May 2002. of May 2002. (Mahathir Mohamad, New Straits Times, 11 May 2002:1)(Mahathir Mohamad, New Straits Times, 11 May 2002:1)

• led to a reinstitution of English as the led to a reinstitution of English as the medium of instruction for science and medium of instruction for science and maths in the national schools in a maths in the national schools in a staggered fashion – beginning with Primary staggered fashion – beginning with Primary One, Secondary One and Lower Six. One, Secondary One and Lower Six.

• took place within a period of six months took place within a period of six months from the timing of the announcement to from the timing of the announcement to implementation in the school system. implementation in the school system.


Public institutions of higher Public institutions of higher learninglearning

• have played a pivotal role in the have played a pivotal role in the development and use of Bahasa Melayu as development and use of Bahasa Melayu as the language of knowledge the language of knowledge

• had to prepare themselves for 2005 (last had to prepare themselves for 2005 (last year) when the first cohort of students year) when the first cohort of students who would have studied in the English who would have studied in the English medium for science and maths subjects in medium for science and maths subjects in the school system would enter the public the school system would enter the public universities as undergraduates. universities as undergraduates.


AIM OF PAPERAIM OF PAPER

• To explicate the reasons for and attitudes To explicate the reasons for and attitudes towards the change in language policy in towards the change in language policy in higher education in Malaysiahigher education in Malaysia

• Understanding both the state’s and Understanding both the state’s and implementer’s positions are crucial implementer’s positions are crucial dimensions for the implementation of dimensions for the implementation of language policylanguage policy


Two year govt. funded research Two year govt. funded research projectproject

2003-20052003-2005

• ““ Language Policy and Planning in Language Policy and Planning in Higher Education in Malaysia: Higher Education in Malaysia: Responding to the Needs of the Responding to the Needs of the Knowledge Economy” Knowledge Economy”

(Gill, Saran Kaur, (head) Hazita Azman, Norizan (Gill, Saran Kaur, (head) Hazita Azman, Norizan Razak and Fadhil Mansor) Razak and Fadhil Mansor)


Voices that constitute the data for this ResearchVoices that constitute the data for this Research

• The former Prime Minister representing the voice of the The former Prime Minister representing the voice of the State - State - interviewinterview

• The members of academic management The members of academic management (DVC Acad. (DVC Acad. Affairs, Deans of faculties of S&T, Engineering and Affairs, Deans of faculties of S&T, Engineering and Computer Science)Computer Science) from all 9 public universities from all 9 public universities (37 in all) - interviews(37 in all) - interviews

• The lecturers of the faculties of science and technology of The lecturers of the faculties of science and technology of

the 9 public universities the 9 public universities (670 in all) - questionnaires(670 in all) - questionnaires

• The literature and documentation delineating the factors The literature and documentation delineating the factors that spurred the changethat spurred the change


VIEWS ON CHANGE IN MEDIUM OF VIEWS ON CHANGE IN MEDIUM OF

INSTRUCTIONINSTRUCTION

MEMBERS OF ACADEMIC MEMBERS OF ACADEMIC

MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT

• the majority the majority (87.2%)(87.2%) agreed with the agreed with the change in medium of instructionchange in medium of instruction

• A minority A minority (10.3%)(10.3%) disagreed with disagreed with the change the change


LECTURERS‘ VIEWS ON CHANGE IN MOILECTURERS‘ VIEWS ON CHANGE IN MOI(8 PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES)(8 PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES)

Agree70.2%

Disagree29.8%

Views on Change in Medium of Instruction 8 Public Universities

AGREE DISAGREE

Agree70.2%

Disagree29.8%

Views on Change in Medium of Instruction 8 Public Universities

AGREE DISAGREEAGREE DISAGREE


LECTURERS‘ VIEWS ON CHANGE IN MOILECTURERS‘ VIEWS ON CHANGE IN MOI(UKM)(UKM)

Agree29.5%

Disagree70.5%

Views on Change in Medium of Instruction UKM

AGREE DISAGREE

Agree29.5%

Disagree70.5%

Views on Change in Medium of Instruction UKM

AGREE DISAGREEAGREE DISAGREE


EXTERNAL FORCES INFLUENCING EXTERNAL FORCES INFLUENCING LANGUAGE POLICY & PLANNINGLANGUAGE POLICY & PLANNING

• Influenced by:Influenced by:““sociolinguistic settings, and the nature and scope of sociolinguistic settings, and the nature and scope of the planning can only be understood in relation to the the planning can only be understood in relation to the settings.” settings.” (Ferguson, 1877: 9)(Ferguson, 1877: 9)

Settings comprise political, socio-cultural, economic Settings comprise political, socio-cultural, economic factors and the science and technology ideology factors and the science and technology ideology agenda agenda (Kaplan & Baldauf, 1997: 154; Martel, 2001: 35; (Kaplan & Baldauf, 1997: 154; Martel, 2001: 35; Tsui & Tollefson, 2004: 2)Tsui & Tollefson, 2004: 2)


CHANGE IN MOI FOR KNOWLEDGE ACCESSCHANGE IN MOI FOR KNOWLEDGE ACCESSLecturers’ ResponsesLecturers’ Responses(9 public universities)(9 public universities)

The change in MOI was necessary to enable knowledge access

OVERALL

AGREE, 65.8%

DISAGREE 34.1%

AGREE DISAGREE


Why do you think the government needed to change the Why do you think the government needed to change the medium of instruction from Bahasa to English for the field of medium of instruction from Bahasa to English for the field of science and technology?science and technology?

(Interview conducted with a Deputy Vice-Chancellor on 3/8/04)(Interview conducted with a Deputy Vice-Chancellor on 3/8/04)

““We have to be advanced in S & T for us to be a developed We have to be advanced in S & T for us to be a developed nation. Development is driven by S & T. Social science nation. Development is driven by S & T. Social science will not create new businesses or economies. We are now will not create new businesses or economies. We are now just swallowing S & T information available to us. We do just swallowing S & T information available to us. We do not have the capability to churn out ideas. In France, not have the capability to churn out ideas. In France, Germany, Korea and Japan a lot of books are available in Germany, Korea and Japan a lot of books are available in their native language as their translation efforts are their native language as their translation efforts are tremendous but that is not the case in Malaysia as our tremendous but that is not the case in Malaysia as our translation rate is comparatively slow. We are still not translation rate is comparatively slow. We are still not producing or generating ideas. producing or generating ideas.


• (Interview conducted with a Dean on the 6/8/04)(Interview conducted with a Dean on the 6/8/04)

• ““It is just a political statement. There is no change in It is just a political statement. There is no change in policy. The issue of (problems with) soft skills, policy. The issue of (problems with) soft skills, communication skills, its’ too biased towards communication skills, its’ too biased towards English. This is not true. Their ability to express English. This is not true. Their ability to express ideas to convince people I don’t know why they have ideas to convince people I don’t know why they have problems with these, maybe it is their upbringing, problems with these, maybe it is their upbringing, maybe our school teachers destroy their confidence.”maybe our school teachers destroy their confidence.”


(Interview conducted with a Dean on the 21/9/04)(Interview conducted with a Dean on the 21/9/04)““For us, we have been teaching in the Malay language for a For us, we have been teaching in the Malay language for a

long time. We found it not impossible. There are problems long time. We found it not impossible. There are problems along the way but we have carried out teaching in Malay in along the way but we have carried out teaching in Malay in engineering for 20 years and we have managed. engineering for 20 years and we have managed.

I think when the government decided to change to English for I think when the government decided to change to English for S & T subjects, they say that it is on the assumption that that S & T subjects, they say that it is on the assumption that that will improve the students’ ability to communicate in English. will improve the students’ ability to communicate in English. That is the what we understand, the main reason and also they That is the what we understand, the main reason and also they are able to understand the technology or technology are able to understand the technology or technology literature easier , direct understanding.literature easier , direct understanding. To be honest I’m not To be honest I’m not sure whether this claim is something that has been proven. sure whether this claim is something that has been proven. I’ve also seen literature by people who claim otherwise.” I’ve also seen literature by people who claim otherwise.”


Tun Mahathir’s ViewpointTun Mahathir’s Viewpoint

• ““Education is for the purpose of acquiring knowledge. The most important thing Education is for the purpose of acquiring knowledge. The most important thing is the acquisition of knowledge. If you have to use a language which makes the is the acquisition of knowledge. If you have to use a language which makes the knowledge more easily accessible, you should use that language. Historically, the knowledge more easily accessible, you should use that language. Historically, the Europeans learnt Arabic in order to access the knowledge of the Arabs ….. but Europeans learnt Arabic in order to access the knowledge of the Arabs ….. but because of their work they also learnt Greek in order to access the language and because of their work they also learnt Greek in order to access the language and knowledge. … so if you want knowledge you have to acquire the language in knowledge. … so if you want knowledge you have to acquire the language in which the knowledge is available. which the knowledge is available.

• Our education system is like any other education system. It’s meant to enable us Our education system is like any other education system. It’s meant to enable us to acquire knowledge. If we have the knowledge available in the national to acquire knowledge. If we have the knowledge available in the national language, by all means, go ahead but the fact is that in science the research that language, by all means, go ahead but the fact is that in science the research that is being done is moving at a very fast pace. Everyday literally thousands of papers is being done is moving at a very fast pace. Everyday literally thousands of papers on new research are being published and practically all of them are in English. on new research are being published and practically all of them are in English. To translate English into Bahasa, would require a person with 3 skills. Skill in the To translate English into Bahasa, would require a person with 3 skills. Skill in the 2 languages and skill in the subject that is to be translated and we don’t have very 2 languages and skill in the subject that is to be translated and we don’t have very many people who are qualified to do that or who wish to do that. That is why it is many people who are qualified to do that or who wish to do that. That is why it is easier if you learn English and the students can have direct access to all the easier if you learn English and the students can have direct access to all the knowledge that is available in English.” knowledge that is available in English.”

(Interview conducted by(Interview conducted by Gill on the 16 June, 2005)Gill on the 16 June, 2005)


Reasons for Change: Reasons for Change: DocumentationDocumentation

• Gill, Saran K. Sept. 2005. “Language Gill, Saran K. Sept. 2005. “Language Policy in Malaysia: Reversing Direction” Policy in Malaysia: Reversing Direction” in in Language PolicyLanguage Policy. Vol. 4 No. 3: . Vol. 4 No. 3:

241-260.241-260.


CHANGE IN MOI TO DEVELOP CHANGE IN MOI TO DEVELOP KNOWLEDGEABLE KNOWLEDGEABLE HUMAN RESOURCEHUMAN RESOURCE

LECTURERS’ RESPONSESLECTURERS’ RESPONSES

The change in MOI was necessary to develop knowledgeable and skilled human resource

OVERALL

AGREE, 64.5%

DISAGREE 35.4%

OVERALL

AGREE, 64.5%

DISAGREE 35.4%


How does Malaysia hold up to the need to How does Malaysia hold up to the need to develop knowledge workers needed for develop knowledge workers needed for

Vision 2020?Vision 2020?The P-economy demands a brawn-intensive, disciplined The P-economy demands a brawn-intensive, disciplined workforce. The K-economy demands a brain-intensive, workforce. The K-economy demands a brain-intensive, thinking, creative, innovative and disciplined workforce. thinking, creative, innovative and disciplined workforce. Malaysia today has a world-class workforce for the P-Malaysia today has a world-class workforce for the P-economy. But we have a poor workforce for the K-economy. But we have a poor workforce for the K-economyeconomy. Unfortunately, with the rise of the K-economy, ….. . Unfortunately, with the rise of the K-economy, ….. there has been a fundamental structural shift whereby there has been a fundamental structural shift whereby economic value will increasingly come from knowledge-economic value will increasingly come from knowledge-intensive work and increasingly less from physical production intensive work and increasingly less from physical production (although this will remain important). (although this will remain important). The shift from a poor The shift from a poor K-economy workforce to a world-class K-economy K-economy workforce to a world-class K-economy workforce has to be rapid and dramatic. There is little workforce has to be rapid and dramatic. There is little time to lose. time to lose.

(A Report on the National Brains Trust on Education, 2002: 1)(A Report on the National Brains Trust on Education, 2002: 1)


HUMAN RESOURCE NEEDS OF THE HUMAN RESOURCE NEEDS OF THE NATIONNATION

• 2000 - 2000 - only only 14%14% of the labour force in of the labour force in Malaysia Malaysia possessed tertiary education possessed tertiary education qualifications qualifications and this will have to be and this will have to be significantly increased significantly increased in order to meet the in order to meet the needs of a knowledge-needs of a knowledge- based economy. based economy.

• This means anThis means an additional 71,000 places a year additional 71,000 places a year need need to be foundto be found. .

(Olsen A. 2002 cited in The Observatory, No.5 June (Olsen A. 2002 cited in The Observatory, No.5 June 2002)2002)

• 2010 - 2010 - The Ministry of Education has targeted The Ministry of Education has targeted 40% 40% of the 17-23of the 17-23 age cohort in tertiary age cohort in tertiary

education. education.

(8MP, Malaysia, 2001a: 23)(8MP, Malaysia, 2001a: 23)


Impact of rapidly developing Impact of rapidly developing private higher education industry private higher education industry

on public universitieson public universities

““ The bifurcation has serious social and political The bifurcation has serious social and political consequences. consequences.

• First, private universities are more expensive than public First, private universities are more expensive than public universities, which are heavily subsidized by the universities, which are heavily subsidized by the government. This means that students enrolled in government. This means that students enrolled in private universities are usually from middle-class private universities are usually from middle-class families, whereas those from working-class families can families, whereas those from working-class families can only afford to enroll in public universities. only afford to enroll in public universities.

• Second, the majority of the students in public Second, the majority of the students in public universities are Malays, whereas the majority of the universities are Malays, whereas the majority of the students in private universities are Chinese. As a result, students in private universities are Chinese. As a result, undergraduates are divided not only along undergraduates are divided not only along socioeconomic lines but also along ethnic lines.” socioeconomic lines but also along ethnic lines.”

(Gill, 2004: 147)(Gill, 2004: 147)


• ““ …….. the private sector became the main .. the private sector became the main employment choice for graduates, but here employment choice for graduates, but here the most important linguistic proficiency the most important linguistic proficiency was in English. …. Graduates from the was in English. …. Graduates from the private universities were more sought after private universities were more sought after by the companies in the private sector, by the companies in the private sector, largely because of their competency in largely because of their competency in English. This situation would have led to English. This situation would have led to serious social and economic problems for serious social and economic problems for the nation.” (See Gill, 2004 for further the nation.” (See Gill, 2004 for further discussion) discussion)


• ““ Medium-of-instruction policy Medium-of-instruction policy determines which social and linguistic determines which social and linguistic groups have access to political and groups have access to political and economic opportunities and which economic opportunities and which groups are disenfranchised. It is groups are disenfranchised. It is therefore a key means of power therefore a key means of power (re)distribution and social (re)distribution and social (re)construction …. ” (re)construction …. ”

(Tsui and Tollefson, 2004: 2)(Tsui and Tollefson, 2004: 2)


Tun Dr. Mahathir’s VoiceTun Dr. Mahathir’s Voice

• Bahasa, we still learn for the other subjects. We will Bahasa, we still learn for the other subjects. We will still be very fluent. For Bahasa to be really accepted still be very fluent. For Bahasa to be really accepted as a good language, it must be the language of a as a good language, it must be the language of a very knowledgeable people, very successful people. very knowledgeable people, very successful people. If the Bahasa is of a people who are very poor, If the Bahasa is of a people who are very poor, backwards, who have no knowledge, nothing at all, backwards, who have no knowledge, nothing at all, then the development of Bahasa will be very then the development of Bahasa will be very stunted and people would not want to learn Bahasa. stunted and people would not want to learn Bahasa. Why should they learn the language of a very Why should they learn the language of a very backward people? backward people?

(Interview conducted by Gill, 16 June 2005)(Interview conducted by Gill, 16 June 2005)


Tun Dr. Mahathir’s Redefinition of Tun Dr. Mahathir’s Redefinition of NationalismNationalism

• ““ We need to move from the extreme form of nationalism We need to move from the extreme form of nationalism which concentrates on being a language nationalist only, which concentrates on being a language nationalist only, not a knowledge nationalist, not a development oriented not a knowledge nationalist, not a development oriented nationalist. I feel that we should be a development nationalist. I feel that we should be a development oriented nationalist. We want our people to succeed, to oriented nationalist. We want our people to succeed, to be able to stand tall, to be respected by the rest of the be able to stand tall, to be respected by the rest of the world. Not to be people with no knowledge of science and world. Not to be people with no knowledge of science and technology, very poor, very backwards, working as technology, very poor, very backwards, working as servants to other people. If we have no knowledge we will servants to other people. If we have no knowledge we will be servants to those with knowledge.” be servants to those with knowledge.”

(Interviewed by Gill, 16 June 2005)(Interviewed by Gill, 16 June 2005)

Technology

Emi In Higher Education In Malaysia