Twenty-sixth International Conference on Learning

Abstract

Dual-Language Programme (DLP) is one of the avenues to promote bilingualism and nurture one’s language proficiency. With the growth of DLP in the United States, the proliferation has spread to other countries around the globe and Malaysia is at no exception. Having a slight difference in its implementation as compared to other DLP contexts, Malaysian DLP resembles the previous educational policy named English for the Teaching of Mathematics and Science, better known as PPSMI. Malaysian DLP focuses on the use of English as the instructional medium in the teaching and learning of Science and Mathematics. For this to commence, parents’ consent to enrol their child into the programme are required. As a means to unveil parents’ views of the programme, this study divulges into the parents’ lenses focusing on the programme objectives and acceptance towards the programme. Given survey research design, this study employed questionnaire with some open-ended questions besides conducted semi- structured interview sessions as the instruments to gather the data. The study roped into a sample of 768 Malaysian DLP parents. The findings revealed parents’ concern of the programme besides unravelled some consideration and consternation that need to be addressed and rectified by the higher authority. In encapsulation, DLP is meant to enhance students’ language repertoire besides nurturing their interest in learning the content subjects. Support and provision from everyone is indeed fundamental. Hence, parents’ views are of paramount importance to ensure the betterment of the programme as it may affect their children’s future.