Initial Insights into CEFR Adoption at a Language Faculty of a Public University in Malaysia

The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for languages, which was originally meant for the European context is now being widely accepted by many non-European countries. The education system in Malaysia, as outlined in the English Language Education Roadmap for Malaysia (2015-2025), has adopted the framework. Although this has taken place at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, the present study zooms in on the tertiary level only. Specifically, it offers a critical analysis of implementing CEFR at a language faculty of one of the public universities in Malaysia. In doing so, it has drawn on Phillips and Ochs's (2003) framework of education policy borrowing. As CEFR is still at an embryonic stage of implementation in many higher learning institutions in the country, it is hoped that the initial steps undertaken, and the challenges reported in this study could inform educational authorities in the country and other similar education systems elsewhere.