As an ETeMS trainer for 6 years which means I had been involved in the training of 6 cohorts of PPSMI teachers in the LMS district, I feel proud to be part of the programme. It was indeed a wonderful experience especially when I had a chance to know the teachers better, understand their feelings and reactions and most of all to motivate them to teach Maths and Science in English.
Generally, the Maths and Science teachers are doing quite well, at least they could conduct the lessons and their students understand them. I feel sad for some of them who had been teaching these subjects in Bahasa Malaysia for almost 20 years and now they have to teach them in English. It is a great challenge. They really need help and it will all work well if they themselves sincerely want to help themselves to improve.
I feel it is the attitude of individual teachers to accept these challenges or not. As teachers we have to carry out our duties well and leave the top policy makers to determine whether to continue with PPSMI or not. Malaysia is becoming a developed country in a number of years so definately there is no way for us to turn back. English playing its important role in this development has to be given serious attention. Students and our nation stand to gain in the end and as teachers we are going to make sure it happens.
However, the fact is some PPSMI teachers are still struggling with the language and are not doing much to improve themselves. Hopefully, the teachers concerned will take necessary steps to improve their English. They can try communicating in English, reading English materials, listening to English news, watching English shows, attending English classes or courses and so on.
The government had spent billions of ringgit for this programme. This includes the training of trainers and Maths and Science teachers, supplying ICT equipment and teaching & learning courseware, giving incentives to teachers involved, conducting courses, seminars etc. Therefore, all parties involved have to be serious in carrying out their duties well. Even the companies supplying the equipment and services to schools have to play their part. Hopefully they are more alert and efficient in providing excellent services to schools and act fast when there is a complain. Many computers are still left unrepaired as an example. Let us not think wholely of monetary gains through this PPSMI programme but instead think of the students who will benefit in the end.
Malaysians are lucky that we can pick up languages easily. The more languages one knows the better it is. It all depends on one's attitude. As for me I didn't study Mandarin seriously so I'm 'handicapped' in a way. Sometimes being caught in embarassing situations when I've got to remain dumb among a group of Mandarin speaking friends though I've a lot to say. Another is not being able to read the interesting news that appear in the Chinese newspapers at home. My hubby and kids speak and write in Mandarin well. As for me I can only speak a little Mandarin. What a pity! So, I do feel sorry for some teachers who can't speak or write in English well. It's hard and as adults we feel embarassed when we make mistakes.
Hopefully, they will try their best and improve themselves. During the training sessions, I was glad when the teachers tried speaking in English especially the weak ones. We trainers encouraged them and gave them confidence. We helped to correct their grammar, vocabulary and sentence construction. Now these teachers can seek help from their friends in school or by other means try to improve on their weaknesses themselves.
I also realise that some PPSMI teachers are improving greatly and the secret is they have been attending English classes either in schools or privately. They are not shy when speaking in English and they have a lot of confidence. Besides, they have spent a lot of money buying novels to read and many are furthering their studies to improve themselves. These positive-minded teachers are the role models and an inspiration to others. Congratulations to them.
We mustn't be swayed by negative comments but instead stay strong and cooperate to make sure this programme works well. I hope that some teachers who are not able to teach Maths and Science in English will discuss this matter with their heads of schools so that something can be done. Whatever decisions made or efforts contributed, the students and nation stand to gain or lose in the end. It is all up to us!
Generally, the Maths and Science teachers are doing quite well, at least they could conduct the lessons and their students understand them. I feel sad for some of them who had been teaching these subjects in Bahasa Malaysia for almost 20 years and now they have to teach them in English. It is a great challenge. They really need help and it will all work well if they themselves sincerely want to help themselves to improve.
I feel it is the attitude of individual teachers to accept these challenges or not. As teachers we have to carry out our duties well and leave the top policy makers to determine whether to continue with PPSMI or not. Malaysia is becoming a developed country in a number of years so definately there is no way for us to turn back. English playing its important role in this development has to be given serious attention. Students and our nation stand to gain in the end and as teachers we are going to make sure it happens.
However, the fact is some PPSMI teachers are still struggling with the language and are not doing much to improve themselves. Hopefully, the teachers concerned will take necessary steps to improve their English. They can try communicating in English, reading English materials, listening to English news, watching English shows, attending English classes or courses and so on.
The government had spent billions of ringgit for this programme. This includes the training of trainers and Maths and Science teachers, supplying ICT equipment and teaching & learning courseware, giving incentives to teachers involved, conducting courses, seminars etc. Therefore, all parties involved have to be serious in carrying out their duties well. Even the companies supplying the equipment and services to schools have to play their part. Hopefully they are more alert and efficient in providing excellent services to schools and act fast when there is a complain. Many computers are still left unrepaired as an example. Let us not think wholely of monetary gains through this PPSMI programme but instead think of the students who will benefit in the end.
Malaysians are lucky that we can pick up languages easily. The more languages one knows the better it is. It all depends on one's attitude. As for me I didn't study Mandarin seriously so I'm 'handicapped' in a way. Sometimes being caught in embarassing situations when I've got to remain dumb among a group of Mandarin speaking friends though I've a lot to say. Another is not being able to read the interesting news that appear in the Chinese newspapers at home. My hubby and kids speak and write in Mandarin well. As for me I can only speak a little Mandarin. What a pity! So, I do feel sorry for some teachers who can't speak or write in English well. It's hard and as adults we feel embarassed when we make mistakes.
Hopefully, they will try their best and improve themselves. During the training sessions, I was glad when the teachers tried speaking in English especially the weak ones. We trainers encouraged them and gave them confidence. We helped to correct their grammar, vocabulary and sentence construction. Now these teachers can seek help from their friends in school or by other means try to improve on their weaknesses themselves.
I also realise that some PPSMI teachers are improving greatly and the secret is they have been attending English classes either in schools or privately. They are not shy when speaking in English and they have a lot of confidence. Besides, they have spent a lot of money buying novels to read and many are furthering their studies to improve themselves. These positive-minded teachers are the role models and an inspiration to others. Congratulations to them.
We mustn't be swayed by negative comments but instead stay strong and cooperate to make sure this programme works well. I hope that some teachers who are not able to teach Maths and Science in English will discuss this matter with their heads of schools so that something can be done. Whatever decisions made or efforts contributed, the students and nation stand to gain or lose in the end. It is all up to us!
As an English teacher I have the responsibilty to help the teachers in my school especially and others.
No comments:
Post a Comment