Star 2009/12/02
IN a just concluded survey on the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English (PPSMI) involving 48 schools (22 urban and 26 rural involving 354 students aged 10 to 15 in Selangor and Pahang), it was found that more than 87 per cent of students in urban and rural schools preferred the subjects to be taught in English despite many of them being weak in the language.
Another nine per cent did not mind whether these subjects were taught in English or Malay.
So, a majority of our students are still willing to face the challenge and they support the use of English to learn Science and Mathematics.
Among the reasons most of them gave were: "English is an important language", "I watch English programmes on TV and almost everything I like on the Internet is in English" and "My parents always encourage me to study the subjects in English".
The majority of the rural children confessed that they were weak in English. However, they would prefer to learn Science and Mathematics in English.The majority of the weak students did not blame their teachers for the problems they had in mastering these two subjects.
A significant number of students felt that since there is a Bahasa Malaysia translation to all the questions in public exams and lessons, it was all right for them to be taught in English.
Some of the comments from the weak and good students:"At least I am exposed to English terms that we often see on the Internet." "Never mind, if I cannot understand English, I'll read the Malay translation.""I'll always carry an electronic dictionary with me to help with my study."
Almost all students were aware that their English had improved through learning Science and Mathematics in English.The majority never felt that they would lose their racial identity when these subjects were taught in English. Most students in the better classes felt that teachers were not serious enough when using English to teach the subjects.
Students from some urban and rural schools said their teachers were not competent in the language.
Teachers spoke broken English and often reverted to Bahasa Malaysia when they were lost for words.Then again, 64 per cent of the teachers involved in teaching the subjects in English reported that PPSMI was ineffective. It was an uphill task, according to them. Some said it could be the language factor and some said that students were weak in Science and Mathematics. Only a minority of them admitted that they were not competent to handle the subjects in the language.
The conclusions to these findings are interesting. Students still aspire to learn Science and Mathematics in English despite "external forces" objecting to this policy.
Parents are positive about the use of English to teach Science and Mathematics.
A majority of our teachers are not competent to handle the subjects in English.
Students did not feel that they would neglect their mother tongue when Science and Mathematics were taught in English.The majority felt inferior when they were not good in English. They felt they would lose out to others later on in life if they did not learn Science and Maths in English.
DR M.A. NAIR Kuantan
UNTUK ANAK-ANAK MALAYSIA
FOR OUR CHILDREN
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4 comments:
Never underestimate the students in Selangor and Pahang!
Jangan hanya melihat pelajar yang mendapat A. Kaji juga pelajar yang dapat B, C, D dan E.
Pecahkan mereka mengikut latarbelakang keluarga. Baru boleh buat kesimpulan.
Jebat Tak Derhaka
I support PPSMI!
I know of Science teachers who are not competent in the English Language - you want to know their comments? "Budak-budak tak faham bila saya mengajar dalam BI" [The students do not comprehend when I teach in the English Language].
From day 1 of PPSMI, I know these teachers will give this standard excuse of blaming their students. Very sad indeed!
Thank you foor sharing this
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