Malaysia: Stand firm on English

[Harold Schiffman]

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EDITORIAL: Stand firm on English

2008/04/18

A WHOLE new generation of schoolchildren is now grappling with
scientific and mathematical terms in the English language. Words like
"binary fission" and "photosynthesis" were alien in national schools
just five years ago. For teachers and students fluent in English, the
teaching of Science and Mathematics in the language, a major policy
change instituted in 2003, is a non-issue. But some have not adapted
as easily. Teaching and learning remain an overwhelming struggle. As a
result, there have been persistent and at times rancorous
denunciations of the move. It has been argued, among other things,
that the policy will only serve to widen the divide between urban and
rural schools. The government is studying the move's effectiveness as
a result of these assertions. The deputy prime minister reiterated on
Tuesday that a decision on the policy would be made at the end of this
year. There is grave concern that the decision will have serious
repercussions on the education system. Reversing the policy would
derail efforts not just to improve the command of English but
transform the way Science and Mathematics is taught. While there may
be shortcomings in implementation, an about-turn at this point would
be, to say the least, imprudent. No less a concern is the amount of
money already spent getting everything off the ground. As the problem
is not the policy but implementation, a review to address the
weaknesses would be welcome. More assistance should be given to
teachers, and schools should strive to adopt all the ministry's
proposals for effective teaching and learning. Studies have shown that
the schools that have are doing remarkably well in urban and rural
areas alike.

It's a common misperception that the policy's main purpose is to
improve the command of English, when it is more to equip students with
the knowledge and skills for accelerated access to and mastery of the
two subjects. Most Mathematics- and Science-based courses in
universities -- and even in school -- depend heavily on reference
materials in English. Competency in the language will thus enable
students to access materials without having to wait for translations.
Already, teachers are using the Internet to source reference
materials, something they hardly did in the past as there was a dearth
of such items in the Malay language. A policy reversal would only
overturn all the benefits that have been and can be reaped. When every
other country in the region, including China and Vietnam, has realised
what English can do, it would be extremely unwise for Malaysia to move
backwards.


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(c) Copyright 2008 The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad. All rights reserved.

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/Columns/2216274/Article/pppull_index_html


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