Benchmarking in TESOL: A Study of the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013

Abstract

Benchmarking is a very common real-life function occurring every moment unnoticed. It has travelled from industry to education like other quality disciplines. Initially benchmarking was used in higher education. .Now it is diffusing into other areas including TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), which has yet to devise a comprehensive framework of assessment of a given TESOL provision, for instance that of Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013. This paper is derived from the author’s research into improvement of TESOL, Curriculum in Lahore, Pakistan, based upon a comparative analysis of TESOL in Birmingham, United Kingdom. In the research, many benchmarks were drawn from a detailed comparative analysis and synthesis of extant literature, leading to the development and codification of quality characteristics and standards. Eventually, result was “TESOL Quality Audit Framework” that can be a prelude to improving learning and teaching strategies, staff, curriculum and institutional performance. In addition, the high impact benchmarks were used to formulate TESOL curriculum fit-for Malaysian preschool children (4-7 year olds) and teachers. A detailed worked example based upon four selected benchmarks, emphasizing use of one-day real-life project is illustrated. These projects have been utilized successfully to step-up the learning of both children and their teachers since 2000. The potential users of this workable framework consist of preschool and primary school children, teachers, TESOL teachers, curriculum policy makers and English curriculum coordinators, trainee preschool and primary school teachers, ministries and the departments dealing with pre-schoolers and younger children.