B. Yuniar Diyanti, Suwarsih Madya
This article reviews the existing literature concerning the policy of English for Young Learners (EYL) and its implementation in ASEAN state members. The source of the review comprises peer-reviewed journal articles, conference proceedings, book chapters, research reports, official government documents, official websites, and newspaper articles discussing ELT, EFL, and EYL in South East Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, The Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Lao PDR, and Cambodia) published from 2000 to 2020. The discussion is limited to EYL Policy in which English is either taught as a second language or a foreign language. Of all the 10 ASEAN state members, Singapore is therefore excluded in the findings and discussion since English is a national language there. The review show that there are three major areas of EYL policy in ASEAN related to the lowering of age of starting to learn English, changing the status of English as compulsory subject in the primary curriculum, and using English as language of instruction in other subjects. Generally, implementation of policy is still strongly characterized by teachers’ underqualification, teachers’ shortage, lack of textbook provisions, and technical problems like big number of students in class. There are also concerns that English for primary school children creates disparities in education and the endangerment of local languages. © 2021, Universitas Negeri Makassar- Faculty of Languages and Literature. All rights reserved.
Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia
