PEDAGOGICAL DISCOURSE AND INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES IN MULTILINGUAL MALAYSIAN HIGHER EDUCATION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v7.i5s.2026.7678Keywords:
Multilingual Pedagogy, Instructional Discourse, Language Education Policy, Malaysian Higher Education, Teaching Practices, Applied Linguistics, Code-SwitchingAbstract [English]
This qualitative comparative study investigates the influence of linguistic diversity on pedagogical discourse and instructional methodologies within Malaysian higher education institutions. This research investigates the impact of multilingualism on teaching philosophies, classroom communication strategies, and assessment practices through semi-structured interviews with 40 university lecturers from Islamic International University Malaysia (IIUM). Data was subjected to thematic analysis employing both inductive and deductive coding methodologies, complemented by cross-case pattern matching to discern convergences and divergences within institutional contexts. The findings indicate that lecturers traverse intricate linguistic terrains while reconciling conventional values with modern educational imperatives. Malaysian scholars exhibit advanced code-switching techniques and utilize multilingual pedagogies that embrace varied linguistic backgrounds while upholding academic integrity. The research delineates three principal themes: (1) language as a facilitator of knowledge construction in heterogeneous classrooms, (2) multilingual assessment methodologies and their influence on educational outcomes, and (3) the function of language policy in fostering instructional innovation. Findings demonstrate that language-aware pedagogy profoundly affects student engagement, comprehension, and academic achievement in multicultural environments. This research enriches applied linguistics by elucidating how educators modify their instructional language practices to accommodate ethnically and linguistically diverse student populations. We talk about what this means for language-in-education policy, teacher training, and curriculum design.
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