Thirty years of French language planning in Malaysia: From individual attempt to national strength
-
Regis Machart
Abstract
French language teaching (FLT) started in Malaysian boarding schools in the 1970s due to the initiative of a few Malaysian teachers who had acquired some knowledge during colonial times. It was formally implemented by the Malaysian Ministry of Education (MOE) in 1984 and in the 2000s, FLT developed greatly in parallel with the internationalisation of higher education. The country had no former expertise in teaching French on a larger scale and future teachers had to be sent abroad to be trained in French. Thirty years later, this language has not only become part of the linguistic scenery in Malaysian boarding schools, as the MOE has also extended the teaching of French to normal day schools. This article will review the language planning regarding French language teaching in Malaysia as an example of foreign language planning in the country, and will focus on its implementation in the Malaysian secondary schools from the 1970s to 2014. Issues of teaching hours and textbooks will not be dealt with, as these matters are left to the circumspection of the respective schools.
References
Abdullah Hassan. 1994. Problems of language assimilation in west Malaysia. In Abdullah Hassan (ed.), Language planning in southeast Asia, 103–132. Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.Search in Google Scholar
Ain Nadzimah, Abdullah & Swee Heng Chan. 2003. Gaining linguistic capital through a bilingual language policy innovation. South Asian Language Review 13(1&2). 100–117.Search in Google Scholar
Airil, Haimi Mohd Adnan. 2013. Language use and identity construction in a “micro-community” of malay undergraduates. In Regis Machart, Choon Bee Lim, Sep Neo Lim & Eriko Yamato (eds.), Intersecting identities and interculturality: Discourse and practice, 91–110. Newcastle-upon-Thyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.Search in Google Scholar
Asmah Haji Omar. 1982. Language and society in Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.Search in Google Scholar
Asmah Haji Omar. 1992. The linguistic scenery in Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.Search in Google Scholar
Asmah Haji Omar. 1996. Post-imperial English in Malaysia. In Joshua A. Fishman, Andrew W. Conrad & Alma Rubal-Lopez (eds.), Post imperial English: Status change in former British and American colonies 1940–1990, 513–531. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter.Search in Google Scholar
Bakmand, Bente. 2000. National language planning, why (not)?. Intercultural Communication 3. 404–1. http://www.immi.se/intercultural/nr3/bakmand.htm (accessed 21 Janauary 2015)Search in Google Scholar
Baxter, Alan N. 2005. Kristang (Malacca Creole Portuguese), a long-time survivor seriously endangered. Estudios de Sociolingüística 6(1). 1–37.10.1558/sols.v6i1.1Search in Google Scholar
Burney, Pierre. 1966. Les langues internationales. Paris: Presses universitaires de France.Search in Google Scholar
Calvet, Louis-Jean. 1999. Pour une écologie des langues du monde. Paris: Plon.Search in Google Scholar
Castellotti, Véronique & Danièle Moore. 2002. Représentations sociales des langues et enseignements, Guide pour l’élaboration des politiques linguistiques éducatives en Europe - De la diversité linguistique à l’éducation plurilingue. Strasbourg: Conseil de l’Europe, Division des politiques linguistiques, Direction de l’éducation scolaire, extra-scolaire et de l’enseignement supérieur. http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/Linguistic/Source/CastellottiMooreFR.pdf (accessed 10 June 2014).Search in Google Scholar
Chin, Sin Zi. 2013. Foreign language lecturers in Malaysia and interculturality: Common (mis-) understandings. International Journal of Education for Diversities 2. 62–75. http://blogs.helsinki.fi/ije4d-journal/files/2013/12/IJE4D-vol.-2-article-41.pdf (accessed 12 June 2014).Search in Google Scholar
Choi, Kim Yok.1995. Histoire de l’enseignement du français en Malaisie. Documents SIHFLES, Société Internationale pour l’Histoire du Français Langue Étrangère ou Seconde 16. 41–44.Search in Google Scholar
Dabène, Louise. 1994. Repères sociolinguistiques pour l’enseignement des langues: Les situations plurilingues. Paris: Hachette FLE.Search in Google Scholar
David, Maya. 2007, Nov. 21–24. Changing language policies in Malaysia: Ramifications and implications. 2nd International Conference on Language, Education and Diversity, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand: UM Digital Repository. http://eprints.um.edu.my/59/(accessed 21 January 2015).Search in Google Scholar
Education Act. 1996. http://planipolis.iiep.unesco.org/upload/Malaysia/Malaysia_Education_Act_1996.pdf (accessed 10 June 2014).Search in Google Scholar
Fasold, Ralph. 1984. The sociolinguistics of society. New York: Basil Blackwell.Search in Google Scholar
Gordon, Raymond G. Jr. 2005. Ethnologue: Languages of the world. Dallas, TX: SIL International. http://www.ethnologue.com/country/MY (accessed10 June 2014).Search in Google Scholar
Hafriza, Burhanudeen. 2006. Language and social behaviour: Voices from the Malay world. Bangi: National University of Malaysia Press.Search in Google Scholar
Jenkins, Jennifer. 2007. English as a lingua franca: Attitude and identity. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Search in Google Scholar
Kärchner-Ober, Renate. 2007. Dichotomie entre constitution d’un Etat de droit et mondialisation dans le contexte de la Malaisie: Perspective sociolinguistique. Droits et Cultures: L’anglais et les cultures, carrefour ou frontière ? 54(2). 97–122.10.4000/droitcultures.1836Search in Google Scholar
Kirkpatrick, Andy. 2007. World Englishes: Implications for international communication and English language teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Search in Google Scholar
Kirkpatrick, Andy. 2008. English as the official working language of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): Features and strategies. English Today 24(2). 27–34.10.1017/S0266078408000175Search in Google Scholar
Knight, Jane. 2011. Education Hubs: A fad, a brand, an innovation? Journal of Studies in International Education 15(3). 221–240.10.1177/1028315311398046Search in Google Scholar
Kok Escale, Marie-Christine & Karene Summerer-Sanchez. 2012. Le facteur religieux dans la diffusion du français hors de France. Le français dans le monde, Recherches et applications. Histoire internationale de l’enseignement du français langue étrangère ou seconde: problèmes, bilans et perspectives 52. 49–61.Search in Google Scholar
Laurent, Mélanie & Sébastien Georges. 2011. Rapport: Le DELF scolaire en 2010. Sèvres: Centre international d’Etudes pédagogiques. http://piaf.ciep.fr/_DELF_DALF/Documents/rapport_delf_scolaire_2010.pdf (accessed 10 June 2014).Search in Google Scholar
Lee, Su Kim. 2003. Multiple identities in a multicultural world: A Malaysian perspective. Journal of Language, Identity and Education 2(3). 137–158.10.1207/S15327701JLIE0203_1Search in Google Scholar
Lim, Sep Neo & Regis Machart. 2013. L’expansion du français en contexte multilingue ‘saturé’: Le cas de la Malaisie. Synergies Chili 9, 51–61. http://gerflint.fr/Base/Chili9/Neo%20_Lim%20_Machart.pdf (accessed 12 June 2014).Search in Google Scholar
Machart, Regis & Fred Dervin. 2014. L’EduHub malaisien entre tradition et désirs de reconnaissance. Cahiers de recherche sur l’Education et les Savoirs 13. 53–72.Search in Google Scholar
Machart, Regis & Sep Neo Lim. 2009. L’acquisition de L’intonation française par les Malaisiens: Le français en L3 après l’anglais. In Gilles Forlot (ed.), L’anglais et le plurilinguisme, 93–115. Paris: L’Harmattan.Search in Google Scholar
Machart, Regis & Sep Neo Lim. 2014. Mobilité académique et ajustement au contexte d’accueil: La fin du choc culturel? In Regis Machart & Fred Dervin (eds.), Les nouveaux enjeux des mobiltés et migrations académiques, 153–186. Paris: L’Harmattan.Search in Google Scholar
Machart, Regis, Sep Neo Lim & Choon Bee Lim. 2010. Chinois de Malaisie et langues européennes, une question d’affinités. In Fred Dervin (ed.), Lingua francas: La véhicularité linguistique pour vivre, travailler et étudier, 213–228. Paris: L’Harmattan.Search in Google Scholar
Margerison, Angus. 2005. La mercatique de la langue française en Afrique du Sud. Synergies Afrique Australe 1. 104–110. http://gerflint.fr/Base/Afriqueaustrale1/mercatique.pdf (accessed 12 June 2014).Search in Google Scholar
Marginson, Simon & Marijk van der Wende. 2007. To rank or to be ranked: The impact of global rankings in Higher Education. Journal of Studies in International Education 11(3–4). 306–329. http://www.cshe.unimelb.edu.au/people/marginson_docs/Marginson&VanDeWendeJSIEFallWinter07.pdf (accessed 12 June 2014).10.1177/1028315307303544Search in Google Scholar
McArthur, Tom. 2002. The Oxford guide to world Englishes. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Search in Google Scholar
Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia 2012, Chapter 5: Pelajar Malaysia di Luar Negara, Malaysian students studying abroad, Putrajaya, Planning and Research Division, http://www.mohe.gov.my/web_statistik/…BAB5-MSD.pdf (accessed 12 June 2014).Search in Google Scholar
Morshidi, Sirat. 2008. The strategic planning directions of Malaysia’s higher education: University autonomy in the midst of political uncertainties. Higher Education 5. 461–473.10.1007/s10734-009-9259-0Search in Google Scholar
Morshidi, Sirat, Ahmad Abdul Razak & Lie Koo Yew. 2009. Trade in services and its policy implications: The case of cross-border/transnational Higher Education in Malaysia. Journal of Studies in International Education 15(3). 241–260.10.1177/1028315309334878Search in Google Scholar
Nor Zihan Hussin. 2011. Pelaksanaan Pembelajaran Pemahaman Mendengar Dalam Kurikulum Bahasa Perancis di Sekolah Menengah di Malaysia (The Implementation of Listening Comprehension in the French Language Curriculum in Malaysian Secondary School). Kuala Lumpur: Universiti Malaya PhD Dissertation.Search in Google Scholar
Riget, Patricia. 2014. Pertinence de la formation en France et adéquation aux besoins malaisiens: Entre théorie et pratiques. In Regis Machart & Fred Dervin (eds), Les nouveaux enjeux des mobiltés et migrations académiques, 93–114. Paris: L’HarmattanSearch in Google Scholar
Ruhanas, Harun. 2012. Beyond the UK: Looking at contemporary Malaysian-European relations. In Christoph Marcinkowski, Constance Chevallier-Govers & Ruhanas Harun (eds.), Malaysia and the European Union: Perspectives for the twenty-first century, 27–44. Zürich: Lit Verlag.Search in Google Scholar
Saran Kaur Gill. 2014. Language policy challenges in multi-ethnic Malaysia. Dordrecht, Heidelberg, New York & London: Springer.Search in Google Scholar
Smith, Karla J. 2003. Minority language education in Malaysia: Four ethnic communities’ experiences. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism 6(1). 52–65.10.1080/13670050308667772Search in Google Scholar
Tate, Desmond. 2008. The Malaysian Indians: History, problems and future. Petaling Jaya: Strategic Information and Research Development Centre.Search in Google Scholar
Vanneste, Alex. 2005. Le français du XXe siècle: Introduction à la francophonie. Eléments de phonétique, de phonologie et de morphologie. Anvers: Garant.Search in Google Scholar
Véronique, Georges D. 2008. L’institutionnalisation d’un espace lingusitique transnational: réalités sociolinguistiques et politiques linguistiques. In Genevieve Zarate, Danielle Lévy & Claire Kramsch (eds.), Précis du plurilinguisme et du pluriculturalisme, 341–345. Paris: Editions des Archives contemporaines.Search in Google Scholar
Wang, Xiaomei. 2012. Mandarin spread in Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur: University of Malaya Press.Search in Google Scholar
Welch, Anthony. 2011. The dragon, the tiger cubs and Higher Education. University relations between China and SE Asia in the GATS era. In Darryl Jarvis & Anthony Welch (eds.), Asean industries and the challenge from China, 39–122. Basintoke: Palgrave McMillan.10.1057/9780230309050_3Search in Google Scholar
Welch, Anthony. 2012. Seek knowledge throughout the world? Mobility in Islamic Higher Education. Research in Comparative and International Education 7(1). 70–80.10.2304/rcie.2012.7.1.70Search in Google Scholar
©2017 by De Gruyter Mouton
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Introduction: understanding language management and multilingualism in Malaysia
- Language planning for Malay in Malaysia: A case of failure or success?
- When blinkers come off: Undergraduate students’ performance at simulated job interviews
- Malaysian Mandarin variation with regard to Mandarin globalization trend: Issues on language standardization
- Family language policy by Hakkas in Balik Pulau, Penang
- Indigenous language development in East Malaysia
- Language vitality among the Orang Asli of Malaysia: the case of the Mah Meri on Telo’ Gunjeng (Carey Island, Selangor)
- Thirty years of French language planning in Malaysia: From individual attempt to national strength
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Introduction: understanding language management and multilingualism in Malaysia
- Language planning for Malay in Malaysia: A case of failure or success?
- When blinkers come off: Undergraduate students’ performance at simulated job interviews
- Malaysian Mandarin variation with regard to Mandarin globalization trend: Issues on language standardization
- Family language policy by Hakkas in Balik Pulau, Penang
- Indigenous language development in East Malaysia
- Language vitality among the Orang Asli of Malaysia: the case of the Mah Meri on Telo’ Gunjeng (Carey Island, Selangor)
- Thirty years of French language planning in Malaysia: From individual attempt to national strength
