PETALING JAYA: Besides expanding Mandarin and Tamil in national schools, the Education Ministry is exploring the inclusion of Asean languages as part of its initiative on additional languages.
The initiative is structured around three concurrent components: the expansion of Mandarin and Tamil in national primary schools, the expansion to national secondary schools and the early exploration of additional languages, including Asean languages, said the ministry.
“These efforts will be carried out using an approach that is flexible, scalable and continuously monitored through a digital dashboard,” it said, adding that a three-phase plan is in the works.
Elaborating on the plan, the ministry said in a statement to StarEdu that in the short-term phase, a needs analysis will be conducted for pupils, particularly in border schools and selected schools, to ensure the effectiveness and acceptance of the initiative.
Attention will also be given to the availability of teachers and the provision of digital pedagogical support, it added.
An additional language curriculum module will be developed in the medium-term phase.
“The ministry expects additional languages to be offered as elective subjects in primary and secondary schools.
“In line with a more flexible and inclusive approach, a special curriculum module for additional languages that is not examination-oriented will be developed.
“This module will focus on basic communication skills and cultural understanding to meet the current and future needs of pupils,” it said.
In the final phase, a full digital and interactive integration will be implemented in the teaching and learning of additional languages.
“Digital learning modules and user-friendly applications will be developed, with emphasis on open access, interactivity and adaptation according to the different learning abilities of pupils,” the ministry said in response to StarEdu’s enquiries about elective language subjects in schools.
In April, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said Malaysia was expanding its elective language offerings in schools to include Mandarin, Tamil and Asean languages such as Thai, Khmer and Vietnamese to build deeper intra- Asean collaboration.
The ministry said the introduction of Asean languages as elective subjects in schools is under consideration, adding that the number of languages to be offered will depend on factors such as demand, availability of teaching resources and curriculum readiness.
“As this matter falls under broader policy planning, any decision on when and how Asean languages will be introduced requires further study and consultation, led by the Educational Planning and Policy Research Division.
“The ministry will be guided by their recommendations before the Asean languages can be offered in our schools,” it said.
The ministry said that it would closely monitor the uptake of elective language subjects at the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) level.
Currently, seven elective language subjects – Arabic, Chinese, Tamil, Iban, Kadazandusun, Semai and Punjabi – are offered in the SPM examinations.
The ministry said it views multilingualism as both a strength and a responsibility.
“Our education system must carefully balance the promotion of multiple languages with considerations of policy feasibility, curriculum space and the availability of qualified teachers,” it said.
