ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the journey of language policy from the colonial period, the post-independence period to the 21st century, a period of almost 50 years. The Malays and the immigrant Chinese and Indians continued to cling to their own languages, culture and religious practices. In the post-independence period, economic advantage was a dominant reason for the change of medium from English to Bahasa Melayu. In 2003, the same factor of economic inequity reappears to stimulate a reversal of the language policy. The Malaysian English Language Teaching Association, whose members are teachers from all over the country, is satisfied with the decision. Training to acquire competency in a language is not the same as for content-based subjects. Language mastery poses greater challenges. Learning a language is not like learning science or mathematics. While the essential components of language learning could be acquired from formal training, the intricacies and nuances that make up proficiency come from using the language.
