English as a Medium of Instruction in the Public Higher Education Institution: A Case Study of Language-in-Education Policy in Malaysia

During the British colonial period in Malaysia, a vernacular school system along with the English school was introduced in Malaysia. However, English-educated students had better employment and opportunities in the university. During the first 10 years after Malaysia's independence from Britain, English and Malay language were the medium of instruction especially in the education sector. From 1970 onwards, English language was gradually phased out in the education sector. Paradoxically in 1993, the Prime Minister announced the reimplementation of English as a medium of instruction for science and technology courses in public higher education institutions (PHEIs) in Malaysia. The focus of this study is on the knowledge shared, utilized and created by policy makers for building, developing strategy and policy of English as a medium of instruction for science and technology courses in PHEIs. This research is based on a literature review and a case study of the language-in-education policy in Malaysia. The findings showed that language-in-education policy is strongly influenced by the highly centralized and bureaucratic top-down system, globalization and colonialism. Malay language is the national language, whereas in practice, English language still continues to be a medium of instruction in Higher Education institutions in Malaysia.