Enhancing Bilingualism: The Dual Language Programme (DLP) in Malaysian Education

What is the Dual Language Programme (DLP)?

The Dual Language Programme (DLP) is an educational initiative introduced by the Malaysian government to improve students’ proficiency in both Malay and English. It is primarily implemented in certain public primary schools across Malaysia. Under this programme, selected subjects such as Science and Mathematics are taught in both languages, giving students the opportunity to develop their language skills in both Malay and English concurrently.

What are the requirements for students to join a DLP class?

The requirements to join a DLP class vary among schools. Some schools consider the student’s academic results in primary school, while others conduct entrance exams to select students. However, in schools where all classes are DLP, no additional requirements are needed.

My child's teacher suggested joining a DLP class. Is it worth considering?

The decision is ultimately up to you as a parent. However, here are three main benefits of letting your child join a DLP class:

1. Bilingual Proficiency: DLP students become proficient in both Malay and English, enabling effective communication in diverse settings and expanding their language skills.
2. Academic Success: The DLP's focus on language and communication can positively impact overall academic performance, as students are better equipped to understand and engage with subject matter in both languages.
3. Global Competence: DLP prepares students for a connected world by developing strong English language abilities, enhancing their prospects for international studies and global careers.

Can my child join the DLP class even though he has a weak command of Bahasa Malaysia?

Regrettably, numerous schools consider students' Bahasa Malaysia (BM) results while selecting candidates for DLP classes. Typically, schools require a minimum Overall Performance (Tahap Penguasaan [TP]) Level 4 and above for Malay, English, Mathematics and Science.

Key things to know about the DLP

For parents, here are the key things to know about the Dual Language Programme (DLP):

1. Bilingual Education: DLP focuses on teaching both Malay and English to students.
2. Subject-Based Approach: The DLP is implemented on a subject-by-subject basis. Selected subjects, including Science and Mathematics, are taught in both Malay and English, giving students exposure to both languages in various academic contexts.
3. Targeted Schools: The DLP is available in specific public schools across Malaysia. These schools are selected based on certain criteria, such as student population, teacher readiness and facilities.
4. Early Introduction: DLP starts at the primary level, helping children learn languages from a young age.
5. Integrated Learning: The DLP follows the principles of Integrated Learning, where language learning is integrated with the teaching of subject content. This approach reinforces language skills while students engage with various academic disciplines.
6. Communication Skills: DLP emphasises speaking, listening, reading and writing in both languages.
7. Teacher Proficiency: Teachers are skilled in both Malay and English to deliver effective instruction.
8. Parental Consent: Parents' agreement is sought before enrolling students in DLP schools.

In a nutshell, DLP helps students become bilingual, starting early, with a focus on communication and global readiness. Teachers are proficient, and parents' consent is considered, all while promoting the national language alongside English.

Schools that offer the DLP*

List of NATIONAL primary schools that offer DLP in KUALA LUMPUR

1. Sekolah Kebangsaan Sultan Hisamuddin Alam Shah
2. Sekolah Kebangsaan Sentul 1
3. Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Bandaraya
4. Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Bukit Maluri
5. Sekolah Kebangsaan Wangsa Jaya
6. Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Tun Dr Ismail 1
7. Sekolah Kebangsaan Bkt Damansara
8. Sekolah Kebangsaan Au Keramat
9. Sekolah Kebangsaan Setiawangsa
10. Sekolah Kebangsaan Wangsa Melawati
11. Sekolah Kebangsaan Menjalara
12. Sekolah Kebangsaan Danau Kota
13. Sekolah Kebangsaan Desa Pandan
14. Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Hartamas
15. Sekolah Kebangsaan Desa Tasik
16. Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Jalil
17. Sekolah Kebangsaan Alam Damai
18. Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Tasik
19. Sekolah Kebangsaan Cochrane
20. Sekolah Kebangsaan Kiaramas
21. Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Melati
22. Sekolah Kebangsaan Batu Muda
23. Sekolah Kebangsaan Tiara Permai
24. Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Bintang Utara
25. Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Bintang Selatan, Cheras
26. Sekolah Kebangsaan Convent (1) Bukit Nanas
27. Sekolah Kebangsaan Convent (2) Bukit Nanas
28. Sekolah Kebangsaan Convent Jln Peel
29. Sekolah Kebangsaan Convent Sentul 1
30. Sekolah Kebangsaan Convent Sentul 2
31. Sekolah Kebangsaan (P) Methodist (1) Brickfields
32. Sekolah Kebangsaan St. John 1
33. Sekolah Kebangsaan St. Mary
34. Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Appar
35. Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) St. Joseph
36. Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Vivekananda
37. Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Ladang Edinburgh
38. Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Segambut

List of NATIONAL primary schools that offer DLP in SELANGOR

1. Sekolah Kebangsaan (2) Taman Keramat
2. Sekolah Kebangsaan Sg Tua Baharu
3. Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Ehsan
4. Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Selasih
5. Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Prima Selayang
6. Sekolah Kebangsaan (2) Kuala Ampang
7. Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Rawang
8. Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Taman Melawati
9. Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Saraswathy
10. Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Muda
11. Sekolah Kebangsaan Jalan 3
12. Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar Tun Hussein Onn
13. Sekolah Kebangsaan Saujana Impian
14. Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Rakan
15. Sekolah Kebangsaan Jalan Empat
16. Sekolah Kebangsaan Seksyen 7
17. Sekolah Kebangsaan Saujana Impian (2)
18. Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar Tasik Kesuma
19. Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar Tun Hussein Onn 2
20. Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Bukit Teratai
21. Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar Seri Putra
22. Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar Bukit Mahkota
23. Sekolah Kebangsaan Convent
24. Sekolah Kebangsaan (2) Jalan Bukit
25. Sekolah Kebangsaan Jalan Semenyih '2'
26. Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Kajang
27. Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Ldg West Country 'Timur'
28. Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Bandar Mahkota
29. Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Ladang Rinching
30. Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Ampang
31. Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar Sungai Buaya
32. Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Binjai
33. Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Idaman
34. Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Klang Utama
35. Sekolah Kebangsaan Meru (2)
36. Sekolah Kebangsaan Convent (1)
37. Sekolah Kebangsaan Convent (2)
38. Sekolah Kebangsaan La Salle
39. Sekolah Kebangsaan Perempuan Methodist
40. Sekolah Kebangsaan (2) Simpang Lima
41. Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Ladang Highlands
42. Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Simpang Lima
43. Sekolah Kebangsaan Kanchong Darat
44. Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar Banting
45. Sekolah Kebangsaan Methodist
46. Sekolah Kebangsaan Sri Langat
47. Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Ldg Jugra
48. Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Pusat Telok Datok
49. Sekolah Kebangsaan Saujana Utama Ijok
50. Sekolah Kebangsaan Saujana Utama Ijok
51. Sekolah Kebangsaan Puncak Alam 3
52. Sekolah Kebangsaan Seafield
53. Sekolah Kebangsaan Perdana Jaya Ss19
54. Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Selangor
55. Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Kuchai
56. Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Tun Dr Ismail Jaya
57. Sekolah Kebangsaan Seksyen 9 Shah Alam
58. Sekolah Kebangsaan Usj 2
59. Sekolah Kebangsaan Usj 12
60. Sekolah Kebangsaan Seksyen 1 Bandar Kinrara
61. Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Jelutong
62. Sekolah Kebangsaan Dato' Onn Jaafar
63. Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Castlefield
64. Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) F E S Serdang
65. Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Puchong
66. Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Ldg Kinrara
67. Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Hicom
68. Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Sg Renggam
69. Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Tun Sambanthan
70. Sekolah Kebangsaan Damansara Jaya (2)
71. Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Megah
72. Sekolah Kebangsaan Damansara Utama
73. Sekolah Kebangsaan Kelana Jaya (1)
74. Sekolah Kebangsaan Damansara Jaya (1)
75. Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar Utama Damansara (4)
76. Sekolah Kebangsaan Tropicana
77. Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar Sri Damansara 1
78. Sekolah Kebangsaan Assunta Satu
79. Sekolah Kebangsaan Assunta (2)
80. Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Tunku
81. Sekolah Kebangsaan La Salle Pj
82. Sekolah Kebangsaan Jalan Selangor (Satu)
83. Sekolah Kebangsaan Sri Petaling
84. Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Rri Sungai Buloh
85. Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Vivekananda
86. Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Utama
87. Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Sekinchan
88. Sekolah Kebangsaan Dato' Abu Bakar Baginda
89. Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Seroja
90. Sekolah Kebangsaan Cyberjaya
91. Sekolah Kebangsaan Klia
92. Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi
93. Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Dengkil
94. Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Sepang
95. Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Taman Permata
96. Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Teluk Merbau

*Please note that the availability of DLP may vary, and it's recommended to verify with the Ministry of Education for the most up-to-date information on schools offering the Dual Language Programme.