The purpose of this article is to provide a historical account of the English language in Malaysia. Malaysians' linguistic and educational backgrounds are intricately linked to the country's historical and educational traditions. Despite the evolution of the Malaysian educational system, the English language continues to be taught as a compulsory language in schools. It is a method of engaging students in interaction and meaningful communication that is known as communicative language teaching. Language learners who are still required to learn English in universities must cultivate a positive attitude in order to engage in meaningful learning activities.

Prison is often perceived negatively due to its purposes such as retribution, incapacitation, deterrence, and rehabilitation for people who are legally held for a crime they have committed. However, the prison institutions are serving a larger-than-life mission to transform the inmates’ life which includes correctional education. This study investigated the challenges faced by teachers in prison schools. Utilizing a qualitative research design, this case study involved seven teachers from the prison Integrity School for young inmates. The interview data were analyzed based on Braun and Clarke’s thematic framework. Findings showed teaching challenges such as pedagogy, teaching and learning materials, policy and opportunities. Another emerging theme points to the hopes harbored to further improve educational attainment in prison. This has led to several suggestions such as (1) modules and skills-based course development to focus on young inmates serving short prison terms (minimum of 3 months); and (2) fluid and organic pedagogical approaches. Drawing upon Nelson Mandela’s famous quote, ‘education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world’, this study is addressing more insights to add value to the young inmates’ educational opportunities in prison school. Serving time in prison does not deter the inmates from pursuing their education because they deserve a second chance to reclaim their life post-prison term.

Recent literature suggested that the English language proficiency appears to influence graduates’ employability in the job market especially in the South-East Asia context. This study investigated the Social Science graduates’ employability in relation to the English Language proficiency in a Malaysian public university. A quantitative research design was utilised and involved 7025 graduates from the 2015, 2016 and 2017 graduating years. Three variables were examined consisting of the graduates’ employment status, the English Language course results, and Malaysian University English Test (MUET) results. These data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi Square test. Findings showed inconsistent trends of unemployed graduates in this three-year period albeit a notable increase in 2016. The chi-square analysis suggested that there was an association between the English language proficiency and social science graduates’ employability. Although the English language proficiency is highlighted as the contributing factor to graduates’ employability, this study concluded that the mismatch between the students’ perceptions and the employers’ expectations should be addressed. It is further recommended that an ecosystem of key players in the industry and universities should be developed to constantly address the issues related to graduates’ employability upon graduation.

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Recent literature has suggested that the relationship between globalisation and English language proficiency implicates employability in the job market. However, it could differ in different occupational groups as well as in different countries. Therefore, this study aims to investigate whether there is an effect on the graduate’s employability based on the student’s English language proficiency and their Malaysian University English Test (MUET) results. A total of 8,995 graduates who graduated in 2015 and 2016 were surveyed using data from the feedback method administered by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia from the Graduate Tracer Study 2015. The model used in this analysis would test the hypothesis as to whether there is a significant association between English language proficiency based on their MUET outcomes and their English language proficiency courses with the job status of UMS graduates in relation to their English language proficiency. In order to classify factors that influence graduate employability, an extensive analysis of the current literature is also used. For both local and global higher education contexts, the conceptual structure developed for this study applies. The knowledge offers insights into the growth of student employability and support needs for students to improve their graduate employability.