Languages in Brunei

Brunei's education system has followed a bilingual approach with Malay (Bahasa Melayu) and English since 1984. In formal education, teaching is largely conducted in English; Bahasa Melayu, religious subjects, and Malay Islamic Monarchy (Melayu Islam Beraja) form specific language and content areas. English is relevant for access to higher education, science, international trade, and many work contexts. The Constitution permits English alongside Bahasa Melayu for official purposes. Language courses are offered, among others, by the Language Centre of Universiti Brunei Darussalam and the Community Education Division of the Institute of Brunei Technical Education. Depending on the course, the Language Centre offers Arabic, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Bahasa Melayu, Brunei Malay, Iban, Belait, Dusun, Tutong, and Lun Bawang. The Community Education Division offers Arabic, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, English, and a Malay-for-non-native-speakers course (Malay for Foreigners). Language clubs, projects, and cultural exchange complement formal courses. For adults, there is no uniform state-wide pathway and no separately documented general statutory guarantee of language courses. For certain courses, the Community Education Division lists fees of 33 BND for nationals and 49.50 BND for non-nationals, for example for Arabic, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, and English Conversation. English Secondary costs 14 or 21 BND, English Primary 11 or 16.50 BND, and Malay for Foreigners 17 or 25.50 BND, respectively. Course duration and calendars are not published uniformly and must be checked with the relevant provider. Courses offered by the Language Centre and the Lifelong Learning Centre have their own prices and dates. Language courses at the Institute of Brunei Technical Education are open to people aged 15 and above; fees and access may vary according to status. Different forms of evidence are accepted for study and work, depending on the institution. These include Brunei-Cambridge GCE English, IGCSE English, IELTS, TOEFL, and the UBD English Proficiency Test. For admission to the Universiti Brunei Darussalam, for example, the requirements include GCE O with at least C6, IGCSE English with at least B, IELTS 6.0, TOEFL 550, or an UBD test at B2 level; medicine has higher requirements, such as IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL 600. The specific institution decides which evidence it recognizes. A general national language examination for adults is not documented. Children acquire Bahasa Melayu and English through the education system. The Ministry of Education works with standards for English and Malay literacy; early support, learning assistance, and speech and language therapy may also be available within special education. Digital learning content is coordinated by the Ministry of Education's EdTech Centre. Online resources, technology-supported courses, projects, games, clubs, Home-Based Learning, and blended learning expand the options, but depend on devices, internet access, and data costs. Learning opportunities for Brunei Malay and other Borneo languages are culturally significant but comparatively small in number.