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[2027] Of PPSMI and teachers’ proficiency in English

And so, after six years of going through the teaching and learning of science and mathematics in English (in Malay, Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Sains dan Matematik dalam bahasa Inggeris; PPSMI) in all primary and secondary public schools, it will come to an end in 2012.[1]

As I have expressed earlier, I am of two minds about the policy, with some bias towards English. But in order to continue the policy, it is important for the system to have teachers with proper English competency. Below is the first concrete data I have seen indicating that there are not enough teachers to support the policy.

Fair Use. Obtained from The Star.

I obtained the table from The Star. I reproduce the full document (actually, it is an appendix to probably another document which is not in my possession) here for your perusal.

The table indicates teachers’ proficiency in English in primary (red column) and secondary (blue column) schools. Assuming Aras 5 and 4 are classes which the teachers have respectable command of English as what I think the table is implying by separating Aras 5 and 4 from Aras 3, 2 and 1 with a thick line, it suggests that the policy of PPSMI needs to stop. It can only continue if the number of teachers with good command of English improves dramatically.

I once had to sit through a couple of classes led by an instructor who was incapably of conversing in English intelligibly while at Michigan. Having an instructor like that proved to be a painful experience for me. So, it certainly did not help me in acing the course. If I remember correctly, I stopped attending the instructor’s session to attend another session instructed by a native English speaker.

I could imagine that the same difficulty I faced could be repeated in Malaysian public schools with one crucial difference: the students cannot switch classes, unlike me. They do not have a choice, if the teachers suck.

And a whole lot of those teachers, as the table shows, suck.

Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved

[1] — KUALA LUMPUR: The Cabinet has decided that the medium of instruction for Maths and Science will revert to Bahasa Malaysia in national schools and mother-tongue languages in national-type schools from 2012 onwards.

The reversal of the Teaching of Math and Science in English (PPSMI) policy will be done in stages, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said on Wednesday.

He however added that there will be greater emphasis on learning the English language.

English literature will be re-introduced, as will subjects on grammar and composition.

Beginning 2012, students in Year One and Year Four in primary schools, and Form One and Form Four in secondary schools, will learn Math and Science in Bahasa Malaysia.

The change will not affect those in Form Six and Matriculation.

The two subjects will be taught in two languages until 2014 for other students, he said.[Math and Science back to Bahasa, mother tongues. The Star. July 8 2009]

By Hafiz Noor Shams

For more about me, please read this.

3 replies on “[2027] Of PPSMI and teachers’ proficiency in English”

Due to certain aspect I believe the ‘existence’ of ‘bahasa rojak’ would be the ‘extinction’ Bahasa Melayu… Just my 2 kupang..

This issue reminded me of The International Malay Oratory Competition Finals 2009 (Pertandingan Pidato Antarabangsa Bahasa Melayu 2009 Piala Timbalan Perdana Menteri) not too long ago. Most of the participants were neither native English nor Malay speakers. But they all debated in Malay language, even the Australian student! I was amazed on how well foreign students speak Bahasa Melayu fluently after only 2 years but most of Malaysia people cannot speak a word of English after more than 11 years in school!

For me, by keeping Maths and Science in English, it helps our people to speak English properly in order to get on in the world.

I know most of Malaysian parents now are taking incentives by speaking English to their children at home. This will definitely create a balance language environment where students will polish their mother tongues and naturally pick up other local languages through exposures from school.

However Malaysian people, please do not be “overly obsessed” with protecting Bahasa Melayu that we overlook or reject some aspects of foreign civilisations which are good for Malaysia.

“Foreign elements” which helped to enrich knowledge, enhance technology and even the local culture should not be pushed aside. One has to be rational in choosing and determining what is good and beneficial and not reject globalisation and changes outright. While language reflects a race, the ability to speak, read and write in other languages must not be seen as an erosion of one’s intelligence and identity.

In Malaysia, knowing another language does not mean Bahasa Melayu will be weak and meaningless.
Despite the language being relatively young in terms of terminology in science and technology compared to English, it did not mean Bahasa Melayu has been set aside.

Even though we allow room for the English language to exist in the country’s education system, we don’t have to worry as I do believe that Bahasa Melayu will continue to be the official language of this system.

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