Malaysia's Dual Language Programme: a quest for equilibrium between globalization and national identity.

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Title: Malaysia's Dual Language Programme: a quest for equilibrium between globalization and national identity.
Authors: Azman, Muhammad Nafis Bin1 (AUTHOR) muhammadnafis.binazman@students.mq.edu.au, Chik, Alice1 (AUTHOR), Bodis, Agnes2 (AUTHOR)
Source: Current Issues in Language Planning. Feb2026, Vol. 27 Issue 1, p1-19. 19p.
Subject Terms: *Language planning, *English language education, *Bilingual education, National character, Cultural policy, Globalization, Linguistic minorities, Social theory
Geographic Terms: Malaysia
People: Bourdieu, Pierre, 1930-2002
Abstract: While English Medium Instruction is seen as a bridge to the globalized world, its adverse effect on local or national identity has attracted scholarly attention. This tension is apparent in the history of Malaysia's language policy and planning between Bahasa Malaysia (the national language) and English. The introduction of English Medium Instruction as the Dual Language Programme shows that the tension remains prevalent. The insistence on English Medium Instruction raises the question of how the program is contextualized at the policy level. To address the question, this study employs grounded theory with an inductive approach and analyzes seven national educational policies and documents relevant to the Dual Language Programme. This study utilizes Bourdieu's concepts of social, cultural, economic, and linguistic capital as a theoretical framework. The analysis finds that 'English' in the Dual Language Programme is portrayed as producing forms of capital that potentially contribute to the nation's economic growth, and an individual's employability and marketability globally. Additionally, Bahasa Malaysia reflects social, linguistic, and cultural capital as a language that signifies the national identity. However, it also reveals that minority languages are assigned no capital in Malaysia. This study concludes with recommendations for future English Medium Instruction research and practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Current Issues in Language Planning is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
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  Data: Malaysia's Dual Language Programme: a quest for equilibrium between globalization and national identity.
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  Data: While English Medium Instruction is seen as a bridge to the globalized world, its adverse effect on local or national identity has attracted scholarly attention. This tension is apparent in the history of Malaysia's language policy and planning between Bahasa Malaysia (the national language) and English. The introduction of English Medium Instruction as the Dual Language Programme shows that the tension remains prevalent. The insistence on English Medium Instruction raises the question of how the program is contextualized at the policy level. To address the question, this study employs grounded theory with an inductive approach and analyzes seven national educational policies and documents relevant to the Dual Language Programme. This study utilizes Bourdieu's concepts of social, cultural, economic, and linguistic capital as a theoretical framework. The analysis finds that 'English' in the Dual Language Programme is portrayed as producing forms of capital that potentially contribute to the nation's economic growth, and an individual's employability and marketability globally. Additionally, Bahasa Malaysia reflects social, linguistic, and cultural capital as a language that signifies the national identity. However, it also reveals that minority languages are assigned no capital in Malaysia. This study concludes with recommendations for future English Medium Instruction research and practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Current Issues in Language Planning is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.1080/14664208.2024.2442213
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        Text: English
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        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: English language education
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      – SubjectFull: Bilingual education
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      – SubjectFull: National character
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      – SubjectFull: Cultural policy
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      – SubjectFull: Globalization
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Linguistic minorities
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social theory
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Malaysia
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Bourdieu, Pierre, 1930-2002
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Malaysia's Dual Language Programme: a quest for equilibrium between globalization and national identity.
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            NameFull: Chik, Alice
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              Text: Feb2026
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