Malaysia: What is to be gained or lost by continuing to teach Mathematics and Science in English?

[Francis Hult]

Via lgpolicy...
 
The Star
 
Malaysia: What is to be gained or lost by continuing to teach Mathematics and Science in English?

WHAT is to be gained or lost by continuing to teach Mathematics and
Science in English? In the course of the roundtable discussions held
during the recent National Colloquium on the Teaching of Mathematics
and Science in English, participants spoke earnestly about the
necessity and viability of continuing to teach the subjects in
English.  The consensus was that it is necessary to continue to teach
them in English because English is a global language and will give
students a head start when they go for tertiary education.
However, the challenges must be identified and overcome to ensure
smooth implementation of the policy.

Negri Sembilan Education Department deputy director of science Azlina
Abdul Kudus said one of the challenges faced by teachers is the level
of proficiency in the language among teachers and students.  "You may
have teachers who are proficient in English teaching students who are
not proficient in the language, or the other way round.  "The latter
scenario will make teachers feel inferior to their students," said
Azlina, during the presentation of the outcomes of the roundtable
discussions.  Another scenario is where both teachers and students are
not proficient in English, thus forcing teachers to revert to Bahasa
Malaysia as the medium of instruction.


Full story:

http://thestar.com.my/education/story.asp?file=/2007/12/16/education/19743785


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