Recently the government announced that the teaching of Mathematics and Science be reverted to being taught in the mother tongues of Malay, Chinese and Tamil.
Well in my opinion, this decision is a decision too rash, made too hastily, possibly with an ulterior motive.
Indeed the Malay language is our national language. As a student I never regretted learning it. In fact, I am proud that I was able to master it. The teaching of Mathematics and Science was taught to me in English since 2003. In fact, I answered my Mathematics and Science for UPSR in English with virtually no problems. I learnt these two subjects in English throughout my secondary years. I, for one have experienced learning these two subjects in TWO languages, and believe me, for many of us it is easier in English.
In Form 4 when Mathematics became General Mathematics and Additional Mathematics, and when Science branched into Physics, Chemistry and Biology, I discovered the vast differences between terms used when taught in English, and the terms used when taught in Malay. Progressing to college was not a major problem because when I was in Forms 4 and 5, I had already learnt all the terms in English, and in college, we learn it in English as well.
I cannot imagine learning General Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology in Malay and then going on to college to discover that many terms are unfamiliar. I believe the need to translate in-head would be terribly time-consuming and a major, major headache. Why create all this trouble.
Six years is a period of time too short to make such a drastic decision. Why not do further research on its progression? Why not wait a little longer? Why not make sure the educators are capable of their job? Most of these teachers have graduated from university, studying their majors in English. Those who cannot cope with teaching in English should be sent for courses, reeducated, instead of just dismissing that the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English is not beneficial.
For one, I have always believed that what we studied for English was very much insufficient. My alma mater had, and still does, include its own improvements to the syllabus. In lower secondary I was educated with the Malaysian syllabus, as well as the Singaporean syllabus. Both were taught side by side, including our own Literature texts, selected by our teachers. We did not merely follow what was prescribed by our government. English has been neglected for very long. We Malaysians want to emulate developed nations. We want to progress. But with this decision, aren't we digressing instead?
Well in my opinion, this decision is a decision too rash, made too hastily, possibly with an ulterior motive.
Indeed the Malay language is our national language. As a student I never regretted learning it. In fact, I am proud that I was able to master it. The teaching of Mathematics and Science was taught to me in English since 2003. In fact, I answered my Mathematics and Science for UPSR in English with virtually no problems. I learnt these two subjects in English throughout my secondary years. I, for one have experienced learning these two subjects in TWO languages, and believe me, for many of us it is easier in English.
In Form 4 when Mathematics became General Mathematics and Additional Mathematics, and when Science branched into Physics, Chemistry and Biology, I discovered the vast differences between terms used when taught in English, and the terms used when taught in Malay. Progressing to college was not a major problem because when I was in Forms 4 and 5, I had already learnt all the terms in English, and in college, we learn it in English as well.
I cannot imagine learning General Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology in Malay and then going on to college to discover that many terms are unfamiliar. I believe the need to translate in-head would be terribly time-consuming and a major, major headache. Why create all this trouble.
Six years is a period of time too short to make such a drastic decision. Why not do further research on its progression? Why not wait a little longer? Why not make sure the educators are capable of their job? Most of these teachers have graduated from university, studying their majors in English. Those who cannot cope with teaching in English should be sent for courses, reeducated, instead of just dismissing that the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English is not beneficial.
For one, I have always believed that what we studied for English was very much insufficient. My alma mater had, and still does, include its own improvements to the syllabus. In lower secondary I was educated with the Malaysian syllabus, as well as the Singaporean syllabus. Both were taught side by side, including our own Literature texts, selected by our teachers. We did not merely follow what was prescribed by our government. English has been neglected for very long. We Malaysians want to emulate developed nations. We want to progress. But with this decision, aren't we digressing instead?
