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Teaching maths, science in English: The pros

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Photo by Kimberly Farmer on Unsplash

SIBU: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who also acts as education minister, recently announced that Science and Mathematics subjects will once again be taught in English.

However, he did not say when the change would be implemented, but even then people are already having varied opinions about it.

Felicia Erekha

A 25-year-old teacher, Felicia Erekha, was of the opinion that as English was the dominant language of the developed world, it would be a smart move to use it to teach the two subjects.

She likened using English in science and mathematics in school to killing three birds with one stone.

“While learning the subjects, students would naturally learn English as it is the medium of instruction,” she said.

She believes that in order to get a good command of English, students need to be consistently in an English speaking and writing environment.

Anis Dana

“It is natural for students who converse in English among themselves in school every day to be well versed in the language,” she said.

A 36-year-old civil servant, Anis Dana, noted that the decision to use English to teach the subjects is to improve the mastery of the language among educated people in this country.

She explained that the mastery of English is of the utmost importance to ensure that Malaysians are well educated in science and mathematics. After all, most knowledge in written form is highly and easily available in English.

Lillian Eda Kong

Lillian Eda Kong, a 27-year-old engineer, said that science and mathematics at the professional level were mainly learned and practised in English.

“For the purposes of teaching a child some useful life skills, it doesn’t really matter what language is used. In fact, it would probably be easier to learn in your native tongue,” she said.

However, she said, kids who want to become scientists and mathematicians or go into related fields would be at a severe disadvantage when they learn more complex topics. While others are already far ahead, they would be still trying to translate the basics.

“In my opinion, the subjects should be taught in English to help those who may one day find themselves in an academic community that has different names for everything than what they were originally taught,” she said.

Empina Enchang

A housewife, Empina Enchang, 36, said the government should be positive minded in enhancing the knowledge of our students by implementing the policy of teaching Mathematics and Science in English.

She admitted that English is widely used around the world, but she pointed out that the different medium of instruction could prevent students from expanding their understanding due to confusion.

She conceded that the advantage of learning in English is that students would acquire knowledge and skills in the far-reaching language, which would help them prepare for the working world.

“It is undeniable that good education normally leads to jobs with high salaries. Quality education gives career advantages in this competitive world,” she said.

Another civil servant, Clinton Uncat, 27, said that it would be good to teach Maths and Science in English.

To him, English could be learned or understood quite easily by Malaysians as they had been exposed to the basics of the language for a long time.

He argued that teaching Maths and Science in English, in many ways, should be easier for the teachers because some of the words are hard or even impossible to translate to Bahasa Malaysia.

“Presently, most references for scientific terms are in English. Thus, teaching Maths and Science in English would help students master the language,” he said.

He wished that the government would not make changes too frequently as those affected are mostly students whose learning progress tends to get disrupted. Teachers are also negatively affective, but they are adults and they are professionals.

The government should wait a few years for the outcome before making changes or adjustments.

Rudy Dana

A private sector employee, Rudy Dana, 36, observed that the English was commonly used by many people to converse with one another.

“Since primary school and whenever applicable, I have fully utilised in everyday life my general knowledge from Science lessons.

“So I think that teaching Science and Mathematics in English once again would be good,” he said.

The teaching of Mathematics and Science in English was introduced in 2003 to all Primary 1 and Form One students.

The policy was fully implemented in all secondary schools in 2007 and primary schools in 2008. Then sadly it was abolished in 2013.

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