Journal Screenshot

International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences

Open Access Journal

ISSN: 2222-6990

Implementation Challenges of Common European Framework Reference (CEFR) in a Malaysian Setting: Insights on English Teachers’ Attitude

Rhessma Nawai , Nur Ehsan Mohd Said

http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v10-i7/7394

Open access

This study aims to investigate the challenges faced by English teachers’ regarding the implementation of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) in Sarawak rural primary schools. It also aims to further identify the extent of their awareness in recognising the government’s vision for the framework to take effect. Research data were collected through a questionnaire survey completed by 60 English rural primary school teachers. The findings suggest that most of them have had limited awareness of and exposure to CEFR. Nonetheless, they were optimistic that the framework is essential to improve the level of English proficiency among learners in a rural setting. The major challenges discovered were teachers’ attitudes and readiness as well as lack of training provided by the education authorities which formed a barrier to successful integration of CEFR in the classroom. The implications of the study are also discussed by addressing the urgent need for teachers to be rigorously trained with the framework and to allocate ample preparation time and design sufficient relevant materials prior to its nation-wide introduction and integration in the curriculum.

Aziz, A., Rashid, R., & Zainudin, W. (2018). The Enactment of The Malaysian Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR): National Master Trainer’s Reflection. Department of English, Faculty of Languages and Communication, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, 21300 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia.
Darmi, R., Saad, N. S. M., Abdullah, N., Puteh-Behak, F., Zakaria, Z. A., & Adnan, J. N. I. A. (2017). Teachers’views on students’performance in english language proficiency courses via cefr descriptors. International E-Journal of Advances in Education, 3(8), 363-370.
Fennely, M. G. (2016). The Influence of CEFR on English Language Education in Japan. Bulletin of Shikoku University, (A)46, 109-122.
Franz, J., & Teo, A. (2017). “A2 Is Normal”—Thai Secondary School English Teachers Encounters with the CEFR. RELC Journal, 3 (1), 20-34.
Nguyen, V. H., & Hamid, M. O. (2015). Educational Policy Borrowing in a Globalized World: A Case Study of Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in a Vietnamese University. Journal of English Teaching, Practice & Critique, 14 (1), 60 – 74. doi:10.1108/ETPC-02-2015-0014
Nile, A. (2006). Linguistic Weakness, Diagnosis and Treatment. Dar Alwafa, 90-93.
Rahman, R. A. (2013). Chapter 2.3 Developing teachers in meeting students’ needs: Malaysia’s current English language policy.
Sezgin G. (2007). An Exploratory Study of Curricular Change in an EFL Context, (Masters Dissertation), Ankara: Bilkent University. Bilkent University Institutional Repository. Retrieved from http://repository.bilkent.edu.tr/handle/11693/14570
Uri, N. F. M., & Abd Aziz, M. S. (2018). Implementation of CEFR in Malaysia: Teachers’ awareness and the Challenges. 3L: Language, Linguistics, Literature®, 24(3).
Valax, P. (2011). The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: A critical analysis of its impact on a sample of teachers and curricula within and beyond Europe (Doctoral dissertation, University of Waikato).
Williams. (2007). Research Methods. Journal of Business and Economic Research. 5(3), 65-72.
Wu, J. R. W., & Wu, R. Y. F. (2012). GEPT and English language teaching and testing in Taiwan. Language Assessment Quarterly. 9(1), 11-25.
Zheng, Y., Zhang, Y., & Yan, Y. (2016). Investigating the Practice of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) outside Europe: A Case Study on the Assessment of Writing in English in China.

In-Text Citation: (Nawai & Said, 2020)
To Cite this Article: Nawai, R., & Said, N. E. M. (2020). Implementation challenges of Common European Framework Reference (CEFR) in a Malaysian Setting: Insights on English Teachers’ Attitude. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 10(7), 28–41.