The document summarizes language policies implemented in Malaysia from pre-independence to the current situation. During pre-independence, there were various language mediums used including Malay, English, Tamil, and Mandarin depending on the ethnic school. Post-independence in 1957, Bahasa Malaysia was established as the national language but other languages were still used. Over time, policies have shifted between using English or Bahasa Malaysia as the primary medium of instruction for subjects like science and math. Currently, both languages are emphasized to balance proficiency and cultural identity.

1. Group Pretention ( by Group II)
Members :
Mr.B. Kirshnajothy
Mrs.D.T.J.RathisGandhi
Mrs.T.Kugan
Mrs.R.Sanmugarajah
Language Polices in Malaysia

2. The main parts of this
presentation
 Introduction to Language Policy
 Language Policies implemented during the Pre-
independence era.
 Language Policies implemented during the Post-
independence era.
 Current situation regarding Language Policies in Malaysia.
 Conclusion.

3. Language
 The system of words or signs that people use to
express thoughts and feelings to each other is
called as Language.
 Language is a wonderful and valuable weapon to
express the ideas and feelings from our mind
effectively.

4. Language policy
 In short, “Language Policy” is the expression of
the ideological orientations and views, and
“Language Planning” is the actual proposal that
makes up their implementation.

5. Language Planning
 Language planning occurs in most of the
countries by their relevant governments wherein
they have more than one language within the
community.
 Language policy and planning decisions have a
major impact on language vitality and, ultimately,
on the rights of the individual.

6. Pre- Independence

7.  The Education System Before Independence
(1400-1956) During British Before
BritishColonization (1400- Colonization (1786-
Before World War II 1786) 1956) (1786-1941)
Islamic After World War II (1946-1956) Education
-Primary & Secondary Education -Cheeseman
Plan (1946) -National Teacher Training -Barnes
Report (1951) - Teacher’s house -Fenn-Wu
Report (1952) -Vocational & -Mosque, surau, -
Education Ordinance Technical Education (1952)
& madrasah -Higher Education -Razak Report
(1956) -Pondok/hut -National Teachers Trainee -
Higher Education
Language Policy and Planning implemented
during the Pre –Independence era. (1400-1956)

8. Before the British Colonization (1400-
1786)
(Islamic Education)
During the 15th Century – Malcaa Sulthanate Period
(More Based on Islamic education)
Portuguese-Roman Catholic Missionaries in 1511
Dutch – Protestants in 1606
British Education System in 1786

9. During the 15th Century – Malcaa Sulthanate Period
(Education System based on Islamic Religion)
Before the British Colonization (1400-
1786)
Stage 1 • Teachers’ houses
Stage 2
• Mosques, Surau & Madrasah
Stage 3
• Religious Institute

10. 1786-1941 [Divide and Rule]
1941-1945 [Japanese occupation]
1945-1957 [After Japanese occupation]
During the British Colonization (1786-
1957)

11. Colonial Period
( 1786-1941 )
 No clear policy on education. Through their divide &
rule policy, British did not intend to establish rapport
between the different races in Malayasia through a
standardized education system
 British was to maintain peace & order to facilitate the
exploitation of the economic resources of Malaya
(especially tin & rubber)
 British encouraged mass immigration of workers from
China & India to work in the tin mines & rubber
plantations respectively.
During the British Colonization (1786-
1941)

12. Colonial Period
 Various vernacular schools were presented to only
particular ethnic group run by either missionaries,
rubber & coffee plantation owners, & local residents’
association.
 Each ethnic group was to be educated in their own
language
During the British Colonization (1786-
1941)

13. Frank Swettenham
 English and Malay languages replaced each other by
playing distinct functions.
 Malay princes & sons of aristocratic families attended
English schools who would eventually be employed as
government clerks & lower officials in the British
administration
 Vernacular schools – Malay and English main subjects
Frank Swettenham

14. Foundations of English schools by forming Penang
Free School in 1816
School policy was to provide all the variety of races
under the same school run by English medium of
instruction.
Policy aim- To unite distinct linguistic groups by
the medium of English
Robert Hutchlings (1816-1867)

15. During the British Colonization (1786-
1941)
There were four types schools in Malaysia.
 English Medium schools
 Tamil Medium schools
 Malay Medium schools
 Chinese Medium schools

16. Japanese Colonization (1941-1945 )
During the World War II
 Nippon-Go became the official medium of
instruction for all subjects in schools.
 Those who served in the government were
required to have a command of the Japanese
language.
Japanese Colonization (1941-1945 )

17. Education after World War II (1946-
1957)
THE CHEESEMAN PLAN IN 1946
(Free basic education for all)
Medium of instruction in secondary school:
 English language
 Malay language
 Mandarin
 Tamil
English language was compulsory for all vernacular
schools.

18. The BARNES Policy and planning in 1951
 Proposed all primary vernacular schools and
maintained one single standard
 Malay & English are Mediums.
(Secondary schools had to maintain English as
medium of instruction)
 Replacement of Jawi script with Islamic
education.
Education after World War II (1946-1957)

19. 5 types of schooling systems
 English schools with English as medium of
instruction.
 Malays schools with Malay as medium of
instruction.
 Chinese schools.
 Tamil schools.
 Religious schools.
( Curriculum according to individual school system)
The EDUCATION ORDINANCE in 1952

20.  One common school system for all
 Malay language as the medium of instruction for
all stages of schooling.
 Centralized curriculum & school examination.
The RAZAK in 1956

21. These changes we demand to be
fundamental in establishing Malaysia is as
a multicultural and multiethnic nation
Post- Independence

22. Independence from
British
1957
• Bahasa Malaysia (BM) stipulated to
be a national language under
Aricle 152 Federal Constitution of
Malaysia.
• The amendment also required all
government bodies to use BM as
their principal of official language.

23. The Rahman Talib Report
In 1960,  Malay language was used as a
main language in schools.
 Free secondary school education.
 Emphasis on religious & moral
education.

24. New education act in 1961
(Implemented
in 1962)
 Promote the social, cultural ,
economic and political development
of the nation with intention of
making BM the national language
of country.
 Chinese and Tamil primary schools
were allowed to co-exist with
national schools, but secondary
schools required to use the national
language.

25. National
Language
policy
1971
 All national schools would have to
use BM as the medium of
instruction for all subjects, except
English.
 This decision has caused the
standard of English language to
decline.

26. Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad
1990’s  Realised that Malaysians would be
left behind and many are not able
to meet the challenges of
globalisation if they not proficient in
English .
 The government also felt that
competency in the English
language was essential for the
economic and technological
development in nation.

27. Asmah
1992  Points out the role of the English
Language diminished , and it was
taught only as a subject in its
capacity as the Second most
important language.

28. Current Education

29. David and Govinasamy
2003
(Malaysia its
achieve its Vision
2020 objective)
 The government realised that in
order to forward Malaysia to move
towards globalization, Malaysians
must be proficient in the English
Language.

30. At the
beginning
of 2003
January
Teaching Science
and Mathematics via
English(PPSMI)
English began to be used as
medium of instruction for the
teaching of Mathematics
and Science subjects in
Standard one , Form one and
Lower six in all government
schools.

31. 2009
 The first batch of students had sat
for public examinations vide English
for Science and Mathematics.

32. In 2011
(MBMMBI)
English it is
known as ‘To
uphold Bahasa
Malaysia and to
Strengthen the
English
Language
 Government decides to discontinue
PPSMI and Replace MBMMBI.
 Teaching Science and Maths can
uphold BM strengthen the command
of English languages and boost the
students
 Reintroduce Bahasa Malaysia in
national schools and
Mandarin
Tamil
Vernacular schools

33.  In the medium of the instruction at the tertiary
level had been gradually change from Bahasa
Malaysia to English.

34. Conclusion