Saturday, February 28, 2009

Me No Speaka The Englees ...

A couple of days ago, my younger boy came to me and asked me to help him with some Math questions. After looking at the questions, I gave him the old 'go ask mommy' routine. I mean, ask me anything but Math! I've never been good at Math and I worship the ground the inventor of the calculator walks on. If he or she never invented the calculator, I'd be having to use my fingers and toes to count during those countless sales pitches that I do. How bad am I at Math? Well, for me 2 + 3 = 7.25, that's how bad I am at it!

So, with a look of utter disgust, the little fellow heads to mommy who easily helps him with his home work ... LOL! But that really isn't what I wanted to post about. Before I sent him packing to his mommy to help him with his problem, I read through the questions in his Math book which was entirely in English. Now, for a little insight for the sake of some of my foreign readers, Mathematics and Science are thought in English over here and the rest of the school subjects are taught in our national language, which is Bahasa Malaysia.

Recently or should I say for quite sometime now, there has been a big hoohaa about those two subjects being taught in English and there are cries from many quarters demanding that it be reverted back to Bahasa Malaysia which I find utterly ridiculous. And some of the reasons given for wanting it to be reverted back to our national language is cos some people (our leaders included) think we'll lose our heritage or something along those lines if Math and Science are taught in English. Like I said, utterly ridiculous.

But that didn't really bother me much cos it's exactly what I expect of some of the leaders of this country. They don't really have much grey matter when it comes to making sense but lets not get into that. But what I want to post tonight is what I read in the local media here recently that said some teachers are 'going mad' as they cannot handle teaching Mathematics and Science in English. And that these teachers have to even take additional English classes to improve their command of English.

Now, if these teachers can't even have a decent command of English to begin with, why are they even teachers to start with? And worse yet, why are they even teaching our children? Is it so difficult to teach Math and Science in English?

I went through my sons Mathematics book and found the English in there to be really basic, nothing that would drive you to the point of becoming mad, that's for sure. I don't know, maybe the English in the higher levels here are different. Maybe it's much harder to teach in English and it really is driving them mad, but judging from my sons Math book, I seriously don't think so.

I have some readers here who are teachers, namely Carol and Perry. Maybe you guys could tell me if it really is all that hard to teach in English. Maybe I'm seeing things the wrong way. You guys have first hand knowledge of the education system here.

I've read both your blogs and in the short time I've come to know you guys, I can tell that you have the passion and desire to be teachers, that this is something you want to do, not just something to earn a living. I've read your posts about how happy you guys become when you see your students achieve something. And to me that is the dedication and love you guys have for your industry.

These new generation of teachers on the other hand probably became teachers out of a necessity to irk out a living with no passion and desire to really teach. I don't know I could be wrong and this is just my opinion anyway but tell me something, If a non native Malay speaking teacher can learn and master Bahasa Malaysia to teach effectively, then why can't the same be achieved for the English language?

Is it really that hard to teach in English? I really want to believe it is but having gone through my sons book, it just doesn't hold water. I mean, when you become a teacher you should already be able to at least have a decent command of English, so teaching just two subjects in English shouldn't really pose that much problem unless you're just plain incompetent and if that is the case, then I don't think you should even be a teacher to begin with.

I've been to Parent-Teacher meetings here and the amount of teachers who can't speak proper English is astonishingly high! Last year, when I attended one of these meetings, there was this male teacher who had to do the introductions and when he spoke in English, it was so bad that I was embarrassed for him! What has happened to us in this country? Teachers who can't speak proper English and claim to be going mad from having to teach just two subjects in English.

I remember back in my time, every teacher in my school could speak and teach in English if the need arose. Even the teacher who taught us Bahasa Malaysia was able to teach in English and could chip in when our regular English teacher was on sick leave or something. I don't think that could ever happen today. Even our leaders and government servants back then had such a great grasp of English unlike the ones we have today.

It's not like you're going to lose your identity if you have subjects that are taught in English right? I speak Malay and I don't fret that just because I do, it'll make me a lesser person. And I'm not afraid to speak Malay if I have to. I'm proud that I'm bilingual, in fact, I can understand Cantonese too with a smattering of Tamil :D Why are these teachers and a small portion of the people in this country so against subjects in schools being taught in English is way beyond me.

Anyway, on a happier note, I've basically found the wireless router I want. Remember I mentioned that my boss gave me his MacBook? Well, he took it back and gave me a brand new Compaq laptop (which I will tell you guys about in another post) and that I've been wanting to get a wireless router? I just couldn't find one that I was happy with.

Well, I've found one I have my eye set on which is this sleek looking Belkin N1 Wireless Router. I've been doing loads of research on routers and this is just what I'm looking for. It has an extremely great range and fast speeds that deliver quick and efficient ways to distribute video, music, photos and files among all the PC's connected to my network at home. The most important aspect is the fact that with it's great range coverage, I can just sit outside my porch with a nice steaming mug of coffee and surf away all day with no wires limiting me to just the location of my room.

Will you look at the time, it's way past my bed time, I'd better post this now or I'll be going on for hours and hours ... LOL! Good night people and happy Sunday :D
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52 comments:

  1. No, it is not hard to teach in English what more basic English.

    But, I do understand these difficulties face by most of the teachers who are teaching Maths and Science. And yes, there are other factors leading up to these difficulties.

    Nick, I'll get this in my next post. After all, it has been long that I wanted to blog about this. :)

    We are using Belkin Wireless Router now. Hubby says, it is good. So, good choice you have there Nick.

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  2. I think most ppl would find it difficult to teach/learn in english coz they're not use to it. Heck, I would want to be taught those subject in english XD

    Maybe coz my grammar all jumble up and my english is so "broken" sometimes *rofl *sweats

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  3. Carol - Thanks for dropping by and giving me a fist hand insight into this English thingy.

    At least now, I know that there are some other factors leading to this issue, I can look at it from a different angle cos prior to this I really don't see why it's so hard to teach in English.

    With that said and done, I'll be eagerly looking forward to your post on this issue :D

    Thanks also for the Belkin tip. I've more or less made up my mind to get a Belkin too :D

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  4. Maslight - I suppose eventually one has to get used to learning stuff in English and what better way to start then at a young age when it's easier to absorb things :D

    But hey, my English ain't so good either ... hehehe ... if it were up to me when I was younger, I'd have skipped school ... LOL!

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  5. I'm not a teacher, but I was a product of maths and science in BM in school, and as a result I found it difficult to readily translate the scientific terminology when I did my degree.

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  6. hello... hapi blogging... have a nice day! just visiting here....

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  7. Terra Shield - So was I and I think english should be used for Math and Science as it's the language of choice if you wanna further your education, right? Like you said, you found it totally difficult trying to translate the terminology. Anyways I'm waiting for Carol's post to really get a first hand view on this :D

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  8. Hapi - Hapi Blogging to you too ... LOL! Thanks for dropping by.

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  9. Blame on the education system that confuse the people only. First everything in BM, not having science and math taught in english, and have objection due to them.

    I personally think it is right move to teach in English. For the children future and good for them when furthering their study in universities.

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  10. Math? Oh I am just terrible at math. I cannot add 2 + 2 with a calculator!

    As far as English? They are always changing the rules of grammar - I can't keep up!

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  11. Yes, some Maths and Science teachers do find teaching in English burdensome. Heck, I sometimes find it a burden too! We English teachers are the ones required to help them improve their English!

    But, there are those who take up the challenge to improve themselves which is something worth applauding.

    As for my thoughts about reverting to BM, I say "wishy-washy" leaders!


    p.s. btw, did you notice that you used the wrong word "thought" every time you intended (I think) to mean "taught"?

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  12. I don't know whether it is appropriate to teach Maths and Science in English, I only know it is a must to teach English in English. Hahaha!

    My maths is not good either. My young niece can beat me so enough said! But then again, she can beat the calculator too, so maybe I'm not that bad after all. Haha!

    Btw, I have just updated my post with another hint for you to have a chance to win the KFC voucher. I've made it very simple already - no more guessing needed! Hurry over to my blog now!! : )

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  13. Hi Nick! Wah u can understand cantonese too? :)

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  14. I hated math in school Nick, and till today it's still my least fave subject. Me and math, we just don't jive! ;)

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  15. those teachers who have poor command of English are going bonkers because of this, which is like the the blind leading the blind.

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  16. I don't really feel I can comment of this, seeing as I'm English and can only speak English!

    But I will say I hate maths. It was my worst subject ever.

    And I too have a wireless modem now. Aren't they great!

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  17. Your command of English is so good, do you teach your kids?

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  18. It's sad right?? I'm wondering how those teacher can become a teacher at the first place if they cannot even use a basic english..
    My english is bad,but i don't care..at least i'm learning..hehee

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  19. oh I still remember doing my Computer Science course back in the local uni. I was bombarded with a bunch of "cakera keras", "cakera padat" and other ridiculous IT terms that were converted into BM. Seriously I was more confused learning IT in BM than in English. All the while I've only known hard disk and not had to go to the store and ask for "cakera keras"

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  20. Rose - I don't want to even start about the education system in this country. All I'm puzzled is with the fact that will having to teach in English drive someone mad?

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  21. Meleah - LOL! I depend on the calculator for all my counting that without it, I'd be walking around in a daze!

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  22. Perry - The thing is, when did teaching, irrespective of what language it's taught in become a burden with some? And the level of English in my sons math book is so basic that I really don't see a problem.

    Yeah, I applaud those who do take the initiative to improve themselves. But sadly, I think it's only a minority. I could be wrong though.

    Oh my god, my spelling is atrocious ... LOL! Yeah, it's supposed to be taught. And yes, I did go back to the post and rectify it. Thanks for the heads up *red faced*

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  23. Foongpc - Hahaha ... imagine if English was taught in BM ... that would be a riot!

    Ok, your niece seems like a genius. I'm lost without my calculator ... LOL!

    Cool, more chance to win that voucher. I'm heading over there right after this :D

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  24. Marzie - Yeah, all those years of having Chinese colleagues do pay off and I can understand what they say. Does come in handy at times when they're talking about you in cantonese ... LOL!

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  25. Marzie - Same here. Math and me, well, we're like fire and rain ... hahaha ...

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  26. Life Ramblings - Exactly. Why don't they just take the trouble to learn English, then? If someone is bad at something, and really want to improve, then al they need to do is striver harder, right?

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  27. The World According To Me - LOL! An English woman you are :D

    Cool, at least I'm not the only who hate maths!

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  28. BT - Why thank you :D But I think my English is just so-so only. I would love to teach my kids but they have a knack to not listening to me ... LOL!

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  29. Kadus Mama - Exactly my point. With the exception of a select few, most teachers these days just don't have the passion to teach. Sad, but true.

    Your English is okay what. As long as w e all can understand, cukup la :D

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  30. Samantha - It does sound funny when you translate some words to Malay doesn't it ... hehehe ...

    But seriously, my issue isn't wit the Bahasa Malaysia language. I'm fine with it. In fact I speak it on a daily basis at work and stuff. To me, it's the fact that teaching in ENglish can make one go mad. Now, that's what I'm troubled about ...

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  31. I wish the subjects were taught in english oh when I was back in high skool. It would have been less complicated. My malay is lousy. :P

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  32. I can'timagine having math and science in filipino. It would only sound complicated. We always have them in english, but sad to say, not all sudents and teachers are highly competitive with the language.

    When I moved in Sweden, I was surprised to learn that all subjects are taught in Swedish, even the english subject, lol! They have this comparative way of teaching English.

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  33. well, at this moment i am teaching a tuition classes for form 5 students in science subject..well, i don't have any prob with the communication in english, but as a teacher, i am the one who scared if my students can't really understand when i'm using fully english..so sometimes, i need to as the students whether they want me to use manglish or fully english...hehe

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  34. Nick,
    To tell you the truth, I really do not see what the fuss is all about to teach Math & Science in English. It all seems rather silly to me to kick up a fuss over something that is OBVIOUSLY beneficial to the future of the nation. SIGH!! This is what is called Malaysia Boleh?! Anything also can.....

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  35. Rozella - Yeah, same here. Life would have been so much less complicated like you say. Aiya, Bahasa Malaysia saya pun teruk betul ... LOL!

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  36. Marlene - I think teaching Math and Science is English should be the way to go seeing as how most of the terminology for these two subject are in English worldwide (or at least I think it is) ...

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  37. Sweet-Girlicious - Hey, haven't seen you around here in a while ... Well, as long as your students can understand you that's all that matters, right? Manglish or English doesn't really matter. What I'm perplexed is that some people can go mad trying to teach in English ...

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  38. Jen - Neither do I. I seriously don't care of they wanna teach in Tamil or German but my whole issue is the feeble excuse of going mad trying to teach in English, now come on, that's really ridiculous don't you think?

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  39. Hi Nick! Just stopping by to catch up on my blog hopping. I've been a bad blogger and haven't visited anyone for a while. :o(

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  40. I read it is flooding in KL. Hope your area is not affected.

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  41. You see back in the old days, I guess due to the British occupation, schools were mostly English oriented. That's why when you talk to old timers, no matter what race, they have good command in English.

    I don't understand what is left to discuss with the changing of language for these two subjects. After all, here they were, complaining that jobs for bumis are very limited because employers have language requirements such as Mandarin and English. Doesn't it help bumis later on in the future if subjects are being taught in English?

    Anyways, maybe the teachers' training colleges should be upgraded and changed to help them produce a higher quality generation of teachers. Especially to inject more passion into teaching.

    I won't even want to get started about the teachers at my kids sister's private school. And we're paying sooo much. *sigh*

    Okay lah Nick.. I better buzz off. My ranting comment is already as long as your post. LOL!

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  42. well, I support teaching in English but then, if the teachers' command of English is not good, then she/he will not enjoy teaching it (and so destroy watever interest the child had on the subject) or worse teach the wrong things... sigh

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  43. Over at our side. Those english teachers need at least a B4 in enlish to teach just the Kindergarten kids here.

    Nick, your english is good. You can be one great teacher leh !! :):)

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  44. First of all, I just think it's ridiculous to have Science & math be taught in BM.

    Secondly, for the teachers who have difficulty in teaching in English, well, they should do something about it. Learn & master the language. How do they expect to produce good students if they themselves give up on improving themselves?

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  45. Tammy - No worries, we all get busy sometimes :D Thanks for dropping by though :D

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  46. BT - Yeah, there has been some pretty crazy flash floods here but thank god my place is unaffected. The place I live is on higher ground :D Thanks for the concern.

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  47. Shemah - That's true, I don't think I've met anyone from the old days who couldn't speak English irrespective of their race.

    I think it all boils down to initiative. If you're not good at something and find excuses just to avoid trying to understand that something, then there really is non help for them. But as a teacher and you start saying things like teaching in English makes one go crazy, then I fear for the future generation of children in this country.

    LOL! Rantings are always welcome in this blog, god know I do quite a bit of them here ...

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  48. Sting - That's true. That's why I fear for the children. Imagine if things keep up like this, how will the children cope, when their own teachers can handle English ... siggghhh ...

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  49. Janice - Good for you guys. I wish they practiced having requirements like that over here.

    Me a teacher? LOL! The kids would bully the daylights out of me ...

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  50. Perky - I have to agree.

    The problem with some of the teachers here (not all of them) is that they don't really have passion for their job. That's why we have children these days coming out from school and knowing next to nothing ... sad but true ...

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  51. My nephew, who has always been poor in his grades in school in SJ suddenly finds himself doing better when they switched Maths and Science in English. Can you believe how much of good Scientist or Doctors or even Teachers have been lost then.

    When one finishes high school or college and move on to Unis, many subjects are being taught in English and those who have a better command of English suddenly find discover that they were not really as bad as their grades made them out to be. I think the conversion of these subjects to English and Maths is something that should have been thought of earlier. How many years wasted losing real 'talents'.

    It would take some many years before these future graduates become the next generation of teachers who speak proper English and has a grasp of good grammer too. That is provided they see a future in their homeland.

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  52. Constance - I have to agree with you wholeheartedly. I really don't know why certain quarters here are so against teaching Math and Science in English. I really dread the future generation of children.

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