CEFR IMPLEMENTATION IN MALAYSIAN HIGHER EDUCATION: A SCOPING REVIEW OF STRATEGIES AND CHALLENGES

Normazidah Che Musa, Siti Aisyah Mohd Adaha, Nurul Nazihah Nuraddin, Maryam Fakhrul Anuar, Devendran Ramachandran, Mohd Fadhli Shah Khaidzir

Abstract


The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) was introduced through the Malaysian English Language Education Roadmap (2015–2025) to elevate English language proficiency among Malaysian learners. Despite its national-level adoption, implementation within higher education institutions remains in a developmental phase. This study investigates the challenges encountered and strategies employed by Malaysian higher education institutions in aligning their curricula with CEFR standards. Employing the SLR review protocol by Shaffril et al. (2020), the study followed five methodological steps: formulation of research questions, systematic literature search, screening and eligibility criteria development, data extraction, and thematic analysis. From an initial pool of 90 open-access journal articles sourced from databases including Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and selected AI search engines, 18 articles met the inclusion criteria. Thematic analysis revealed eight key areas: policy and curriculum alignment, teacher capacity and professional development, assessment design and evaluation, pedagogical practices, cultural and contextual adaptation, institutional and structural constraints, technology integration, and learner outcomes and employability. The findings offer valuable insights to inform future policy reforms, curriculum design, and teacher training initiatives, particularly in fostering culturally responsive and context-sensitive approaches to CEFR implementation.

Full Text:

PDF

References


Abd Rahman, Ahmad Zufrie, Seng Tong Chong, Zeittey Karmilla Kaman, and Carol Elizabeth Leon. 2021. The CEFR Impact on English Language Educators Teaching Engineering Programmes at a Private University in Malaysia. Journal of Techno-Social 12 (2). https://doi.org/10.30880/jts.2021.12.02.005.

Abidin, Nadrah Zainal, and Harwati Hashim. 2021. Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR): A Review on Teachers’ Perception & Plurilingualism. Creative Education 12 (04): 727–36. https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2021.124051.

Abu Sufi, Mohd. Khairul, and Mahani Stapa. 2020. Should the CEFR Illustrative Scales Be Localised to Malaysian Higher Education Standards? – a Conceptual Paper. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences 10 (9). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v10-i9/7882.

Abu Sufi, Mohd Khairul, and Faizah Idrus. 2021. A Preliminary Study on Localising the CEFR Written Production Descriptor to Malaysian Higher Education Context. Asian Journal of Research in Education and Social Sciences 3 (2): 1–15. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/351954748_A_Preliminary_Study_on_Localising_the_CEFR_Written_Production_Descriptor_to_Malaysian_Higher_Education_Context.

Ahmad Sukri, Saiful Islam, Ainol Madziah Zubairi, Mohammad Azannee Saad, and Abdul Shakour Duncan Preece. 2025. CEFR AT THE POST-SECONDARY LEVEL: TEACHERS’ RECEPTIVITY. Jurnal Kurikulum & Pengajaran Asia Pasifik 13 (1). https://mojes.um.edu.my/index.php/JUKU/article/view/59471/18165.

Ahmad Sukri, Saiful Islam, Ainol Madziah Zubairi, Mohammad Azannee Saad, and Abdul Shakour Duncan Preece. 2025. Challenges and Frictions in the Implementation of the CEFR-M: A Conceptual Paper. International Journal of Modern Languages and Applied Linguistics 8 (1). https://doi.org/10.24191/ijmal.v8i1.7456.

Amiruddin, Ahmad Zaki, Mohammad Taufiq Abdul Ghani, Wan Ab Aziz Wan Daud, Nur Hafezah Hussein, Nur Hazimah Mat Yamin, and Yasmin See Abdullah. 2025. Empowering Language Learners: Innovations in CEFR-Based Language Learning Applications. Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology 9 (2):352-59. https://doi.org/10.55214/25768484.v9i2.4486.

Azman, Hazita, Zarina Othman, Chairozila Mohd. Shamsuddin, Wahiza Wahi, Mohd Sallehuddin Abd Aziz, Wan Nur’ashiqin Wan Mohamad, Shazleena Othman, and Mohd Hafiszudin Mohd Amin. 2021. Relating a Sustained Monologue Speaking Production Test to CEFR: Towards Alignment. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities 29 (S3). https://doi.org/10.47836/pjssh.29.s3.20.

A. Hamid, Huzaifah, Wan Farah Wani Wan Fakhruddin, Liyana Ahmad Afip, and M Obaidul Hamid. 2025. Navigating Global Standards in Local Contexts: A Systematic Review of CEFR-Aligned English Language Curriculum in the ASEAN Region. Journal of Nusantara Studies (JONUS) 10 (1): 324–52. https://doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol10iss1pp324-352.

Baharum, Nurul Najwa, Lilliati Ismail, Nooreen Nordin, and Abu Bakar Razali. 2021. Aligning a University English Language Proficiency Measurement Tool With the CEFR: A Case in Malaysia. Pertanika Journal of Social Science & Humanities 29 (S3). https://doi.org/10.47836/pjssh.29.s3.09.

Bakar, Erda Wati. 2020. Can-Do Descriptors – Realigning English Language Curriculum at Higher Education Institution to CEFR. International Journal of Modern Languages and Applied Linguistics 4 (2): 84. https://doi.org/10.24191/ijmal.v4i2.7975.

Che Musa, Normazidah, Azwan Shaiza Nizam, Wan Nur’ashiqin Wan Mohamad, and Zarina Othman. 2021. Framing the English Language (EL) CEFR-Informed Curriculum Structure: The UKM Experience. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities 29 (S3). https://doi.org/10.47836/pjssh.29.s3.13

C. Alih, Ashiquin Nur, Masdinah Alauyah, Md Yusoff, and Abdul Halim Abdul Raof. 2020. Teachers’ Knowledge and Belief on the CEFR Implementation in Malaysian ESL Classroom. International Journal of Multidisciplinary and Current Educational Research (IJMCER) https://www.ijmcer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IJMCER_Q02501260134.pdf.

Kaur, Paramjit, and Mah Zhi Jian. 2022. The CEFR-Aligned Curriculum: Perspectives of Malaysian Teachers. Asian Journal of Research in Education and Social Sciences. https://doi.org/10.55057/ajress.2022.4.1.13.

Kassim, Nadiah, and Harwati Hashim. 2023. Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR): A Review on Its Implementation in ESL/EFL Classrooms. International Journal of Academic Research in Business & Social Sciences 13 (12). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v13-i12/20149.

Khan, Alla. 2023. Initial Insights into CEFR Adoption at a Language Faculty of a Public University in Malaysia. PASAA 67 (1): 330–60. https://doi.org/10.58837/chula.pasaa.67.1.11.

Kumara Rao, Vaishnu Rao, and Zakaria. 2025. Role-Playing as a Tool for Improving ESL Learners’ Communication Skills: A Systematic Review. Jurnal Pendidikan Malaysia 50(1). http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/JPEN-2025-50.01-02

Lau Hui Chwen, Avlyn, and Hanita Hanim Ismail. 2025. Malaysian Diploma Students’ Use of Social Media and Its Relationship with CEFR English Language Performance. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences 15 (2). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v15-i2/24627.

Mak, Susanne, and Aliki Thomas. 2022. Steps for Conducting a Scoping Review. Journal of Graduate Medical Education 14 (5): 565–67. https://doi.org/10.4300/jgme-d-22-00621.1.

Mohamed Shaffril, Hayrol Azril, Samsul Farid Samsuddin, and Asnarulkhadi Abu Samah. 2021. The ABC of Systematic Literature Review: The Basic Methodological Guidance for Beginners. Quality & Quantity 55 (1): 1319–46. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-020-01059-6.

Mohamed Shaffril, Hayrol Azril, Asnarulkhadi Abu Samah, and Syafila Kamarudin. 2021. Speaking of the Devil: A Systematic Literature Review on Community Preparedness for Earthquakes. Natural Hazards 108 (3): 2393–2419. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-021-04797-4.

Muhammad, Ahmad Mazli, Maisarah Ahmad Kamil, and Zachariah Aidin Druckman. 2021. Towards a CEFR Framework for Workplace Communication: Students’ Perceptions of the Sub-Skills, Use and Importance of Language Productive Skills (LPS). Pertanika Journal of Social Science & Humanities 29 (S3). https://doi.org/10.47836/pjssh.29.s3.02.

Peters, Micah D. J., Casey Marnie, Heather Colquhoun, Chantelle M. Garritty, Susanne Hempel, Tanya Horsley, Etienne V. Langlois, et al. 2021. Scoping Reviews: Reinforcing and Advancing the Methodology and Application. Systematic Reviews 10 (1): 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-021-01821-3.

Shak, Priscilla, and John Read. 2021. Aligning the Language Criteria of a Group Oral Test to the CEFR: The Case of a Formal Meeting Assessment in an English for Occupational Purposes Classroom. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities 29 (S3). https://doi.org/10.47836/pjssh.29.s3.08.

Syed Husain, Sharifah Shahnaz , Julina Munchar, Zaemah Abdul Kadir, T. Parimala Devi Thevarajoo, Puteri Zarina Megat Khalid, and Ani Susanti. 2024. A CEFR Aligned Curriculum Framework: Through the Lens of Akademi Pengajian Bahasa, Universiti Teknologi Mara. Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (MJSSH) 9 (10). https://doi.org/10.47405/mjssh.v9i10.3050.

Syed Husain, Sharifah Shahnaz, Julina Munchar, Zaemah Abdul Kadir, T.Parimala Devi Thevarajoo, and Puteri Zarina Megat Khalid. 2024. Theory to Practice: Lecturers’ Readiness in Implementing a CEFR-Aligned Tertiary Curriculum. International Journal of Education 16 (2): 109. https://doi.org/10.5296/ije.v16i2.21729.

Tengku Mohamed Fauzi, Tg Nur Liyana, Muhammad Saiful Anuar Yusoff, and Nor Fazlin Mohd Ramli. 2024. MITIGATING RESPONDENT FATIGUE IN SELF-ASSESSMENT: CEFR-BASED ITEMS FOR MALAYSIAN UNDERGRADUATES. Journal of Nusantara Studies (JONUS) 9 (2): 474–89. https://doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol9iss2pp474-489.

Thomas, Aliki, Stuart Lubarsky, Steven J. Durning, and Meredith E. Young. 2017. “Knowledge Syntheses in Medical Education.” Academic Medicine 92 (2): 161–66. https://doi.org/10.1097/acm.0000000000001452.


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Contact:

Editor-in-Chief

MALIM Jurnal Pengajian Umum Asia Tenggara

Pusat Pengajian Citra Universiti

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

43600 UK­M Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan

MALAYSIA

E-mail: jmalim@ukm.edu.my

© Copyright Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia