Teaching Science & Math in English to improve English?
By kevchua
@kevchua (1004)
Malaysia
July 15, 2009 10:12pm CST
Our government had embarked on a plan to improve the English profiency levels of students in 2003. They said that to help improve this proficiency, Science and Math should be taught in English - currently both are taught in the National Language. Six years later (2009), the new Education Minister said that it didn't turn out well, so the plan should be fully scrapped in 2012 so that existing students are not affected.
My question is, do you think it's a good plan? How would you improve English language proficiency if English is taught as a second language in schools?
1 person likes this
2 responses
@jep_toyo (1606)
• Philippines
16 Jul 09
I think math and science should be taught in english because there are terms that cant be easily translated in other dialects and if there is any available translation this will only make the students more confused because once they enter college or start working english is usually used. How can these students compete with other nations if they dont know how to properly speak in english. Yes, they have the skills but do you think they can explain what they are doing and be understood by their employer when they use their local dialect? I dont think so. English is still the most common used language globally and if you want to be globally competitive then we should start training our students to speak and write english.
It doesnt mean that we have to forget about our own language when we focus on english. It just give us the edge to be more competitive and besides... when we are at home with friends and family we always use our own dialect right?
@kevchua (1004)
• Malaysia
16 Jul 09
Thank you for your quick response. While I do agree that it's a good way to improve English, I think it's a bit too late especially when our country has not been using English as a medium of instruction for at least 30 years. Rural students are still so weak in English that they are too afraid to speak the language outside the classroom. To make matters worse, we have organisations and scholars that have vehemently protested the use of English as a medium of instruction to teach any subject because they believe that by doing so, the National Language would be disregarded - thus it shows we don't love the National Language.
What do you think?
@jep_toyo (1606)
• Philippines
16 Jul 09
Well people should be open minded about this issue. When you are teaching children to learn english it doesnt mean that you are teaching them not to love their own language. For me teaching english to kids is like teaching them new skills that they can use for their future... We know that the better education our kids have the better chance of them getting a better job. If they travel abroad for business or vacation how do will they communicate with other people if they dont know English? There are many jobs in the US that are being outsourced in different parts of the world and that means more jobs for people who knows how to communicate well. So how can they grab this kind of opportunity if they dont know how to speak in english?
I just dont get it why people are so against English... It is being used now globally. My stance is... it is never too late to teach the new generation the English language.
@charlies2805 (777)
•
19 Sep 09
Well, teaching science and math both in English should be effective to improve ACADEMIC WORDS rather than daily words. I don't think it will improve student's daily conversation skill. Students can learn English very well as long as they see importance of it. Remember that if they want it, all the way he will make it.
