BEL 313 Assignment2

BEL 313

ASSIGNMENT II

PREPARED BY:

NUR HIDAYAHTUL NABIHAH MANAS 2010651674

LWP01J

PREPARED FOR:

MR CHOY TUCK ONN

20 AUGUST 2010

Table of Contents

Part I2

Article- PPSMI Malaysia Review: What Government Should Do Next?

Premises and Conclusion of the article

Part II 7

Comments On The Article

Part III 10

Article-PPSMI Malaysia Review: What Government Should Do Next?

References and Attachments

PART I

2

PPSMI Malaysia Review: What Government Should Do Next?

http://mysuperkids.net/ppsmi-malaysia-review-what-government-should-do-next/

by Mommy Lyna on July 20, 2009 · 43 comments

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PPSMI recent move to reverse implementation gave mixed reactions. Kampung people are so happy while urban one might not. There are parents who are considering sending their kids either to private or International school. In fact, some wealthy parents want to send their kids to study in Singapore!

What’s actually happening?

Everyone knows, English is a must in modern economy. You can find abundance of scientific exploration, economic study & anthropological research in English than in any language in the world. If you compare the depth of knowledge discovered in BM, the gap is so obvious. Even if you combine those researches which translated into BM, it won’t make any difference at all.

One may argue, Japan can succeed without English. The problem is; why Malaysia don’t?

Japan is not the only country which able to strive & thrive with minimum English medium. Korea & Taiwan are some of them. But comparing these countries successes with Malaysian is a big mistake. Consider these facts:

1. Japanese people command a mindset that quality is compulsory. Whatever they did, they’ll do their best possible effort. If you read the “Toyota Way” book you’ll understand the level of quality satisfaction to the lowest level of their organization.2. Korean undergraduate students start to stay up at night in the library 1-3 months before final exam. One of Abiy’s friends told us that they bring small pillow for 10-20 min nap, after that they’ll continue studying sampai subuh.

3. Taiwan is so famous with electrical gadgets. Their dopod handphone able to compete head-to-head with major global brand cell phones like Nokia & SonyEricson. What most people don’t know is they work from 8am till midnight everyday. They have to do that because that’s the only way to move faster than the technology.

Think carefully and compare those with our work principle. Are we “there” yet?

Secondly, there are argument that rather than we learn in English, why don’t just translate those papers in BM. I know the idea is for most of us learn new things but honestly, how many books you’ve read in the past 30-days?

Malays-ian has been known to read the least, around 2-3 books per year at most. With such a low reading frequency and relatively low population, it makes the effort to translate all those knowledge from English become uneconomical.

Lastly, there are a lot of people saying that learning in English will reduce your patriotism. But to me, what’s the use of patriotism without someone’s respect? If so, it’s just like living in a small island but think you are the best in the world; like syok sendiri without benchmarking.

Above all, learning, speaking & thinking in English won’t make you orang puteh at all. I myself still eat belacan, budu & cencaluk. These jatidiri is about your ability to filter what you should believe and do and what is don’t. Learning in English can do nothing to your jatidiri. It can only strengthen what you believe with vast knowledge you have upon learning from someone else.

If you think I really support this PPSMI, continue reading…

The biggest language gap we had is during the tertiary education in University. Significant numbers of our student had been acknowledged of having problems to learn science & technology mainly because of their inability to master English.

But what I don’t agree is, why start implementing in primary school?

Primary school is just a place to expose small kids of the official learning world. As such, forcing huge and significant changes can create a lot of initial hiccups. I know, Dr M try to fast-track this language conversion so that it can be applied as soon & as fast as possible. It’s just Dr M way of doing business.

4

However, statistics that a lot of pupils not able to catch up especially the rural areas show that we aren’t dynamic enough to absorb significant changes in less than three years. I live in kampung before and I will tell you first hand that awareness should come first before enforcement in this market. It takes years to educate them “education is important” and guess what, should be another more years for them to understand “English is crucial”.

I think, this PPSMI can be implemented but in stages. First maybe start with matriculation. 3 years later went down to SPM level. 5 – 7 years then start enforcement for PMR students and another 5 – 7 years before it reach UPSR pupils.

Doing it this way, the students can at least learn from their elder brothers/sisters, ample time for teachers to be converted in English medium and most importantly, give the students time to have faith in themselves that they can do it in English.

Therefore, reversing PPSMI for now can be good but once the students’ results strengthen, government should consider implementing it back in stages.

Can you succeed without knowing English? Yes you can!

But don’t complaint much if you are not employed or get good salary ten years after graduation. Reason, the only way to thrive in future is to conquer the world in whatever niche you want. You can’t do this if you don’t master the most widely used language on the planet…

PREMISES AND CONCLUSION

CONCLUSION : Reversing PPSMI now is the best option for our education system and it is beneficial to the students.However, when the results of the students are strong enough, the government should consider to implement it again through stages.

PREMISE 1 : Implementing PPSMI in primary school can forcing huge and significant changes that can create a lot of initial hiccups to the children.

PREMISE 2 : Reversing PPSMI is good because most of the students especially in the rural areas are not able to catch up with the subjects that are taught in English.

PREMISE 3 : Implementing PPSMI in stages later can help students to learn English language from their elder brothers or sisters. It also gives ample time for the teachers to get used to the English medium and help students to gain more faith in them that they can do it in English.

6

PART II

COMMENTS ON THE ARTICLE

The author (Mommy Lyna) has presented an issue about the PPSMI policy where Mathematics and Science are taught in English language. In her writing, she argued that the PPSMI should be reversed now since it can be good to the students and teachers and the best option to the education system.

After reading this article, I found that this article is not well written because of several reasons such as fallacies. One of the fallacies that can be detected in this article is encouraging complicity. For example, in the third paragraph where the author started her sentence with ‘everyone knows’ which she expected that all the readers were already part of a group of like-minded thinkers. So, this can be classified as encouraging complicity.

Next fallacy is ad populum. The author takes advantage of the desire most people which is have to be liked and to fit in with the others and uses that desire to make the audience believe in something because everyone else does. For instance, in the sixteenth paragraph, the author was talked about ‘a lot of’ students in the rural areas are not able to catch up with the teaching of subjects in English language. She tried to attract people to agree with her statement by pointing out this view.

Other fallacy is hasty generalization (stereotype version) such as in the ninth paragraph, she claimed that Malaysians has been known to read the less. This assumption is not enough to conclude that all Malaysians read least because there are some of Malaysians are read most. Thus, this is a stereotype since the author convinced the readers that someone who has particular characteristics are belongs to the group that has the same characteristic.

Overall, this article is valid and credible since the author able to give the logical reasoning to support his argument. The author has shown an ability to describe and summarize texts but does not demonstrate good reasoning skills.

8

In my opinion, PPSMI policy should be continued because it used English language as the medium of instructions between the teachers and students. As English language is the global lingua franca, so it became very important especially to increase the global understanding like to promote national security, and world peace. For example, English can be used to communicate the message that Islam is a religion of peace. With good English, these misunderstanding or disagreement can be resolved without bloodshed.

Next, PPSMI policy is a very useful tool to teach the children English language at the early age because they are ready to store up the new knowledge as their mind still free from notions.1 Teaching and learning Mathematics and Science in English can help to expand vocabulary in English language and help the students to understand the researches which mostly had been conducted, written and presented in English language. Moreover, all the reference books of any subjects and computer manuals as well as the instructions of our daily products are in English.

Continuing PPSMI policy also can help the students to appreciate the international literature, music, and film. Most of the world’s literally and artistic works have been written in the language of English. A translation of a text can never be fully true to the intent, beauty, style, and uniqueness of its original. To be able to fully appreciate literature, theater, music and film in other languages, the students must be able to access them in their original form. For example, reading the Shakespeare’s masterpieces just is not the same in the translation.

Not only that, PPSMI policy also will strengthen the application in the future admissions like in employment fields and study abroad programs. Learning and knowing English language will open the door to many exciting jobs all over the world. Employees who can speak English are not merely limited to the ability of communicating with other people. Furthermore, students who advanced in English language are the most chosen applicants for study abroad programs since they can participate in the programs that allow them to be fully immersed and integrated into the academic and social life of the country in which they are studying. Thus, it does make them as the more competitive candidates in both of the fields.1 (Importance of English Language Today, Advices and Predisposition to Foreign Language, 2009)

Learning the English language will give people the ability to travel to the English-speaking country like United States of America, Canada, and Australia. When they know the language, they have the comfort of being able to successfully navigate with all sorts of the situations, like to order the meals in the restaurants and ask for and understand the directions. Their language ability will allow them to see and do things that many visitors cannot. The whole vacation will be opened up before their eyes when they can understand the people and things around them. With English language, they will be able to meet new people and make the lifelong friends all over the world.

In conclusion, based on the reasons above, I believe that reversing PPSMI is not a good decision and the best option for our education system.

(850 words)

10

PART III

PPSMI Malaysia Review: What Government Should Do Next?

http://mysuperkids.net/ppsmi-malaysia-review-what-government-should-do-next/

by Mommy Lyna on July 20, 2009 · 43 comments

We noticed that you've been visiting MySuperKids regularly. Drop a comment or two so that we can be friends. Btw, have you subscribe to My RSS Feed?

PPSMI recent move to reverse implementation gave mixed reactions. Kampung people are so happy while urban one might not. There are parents who are considering sending their kids either to private or International school. In fact, some wealthy parents want to send their kids to study in Singapore!

What’s actually happening?

Everyone knows, English is a must in modern economy. You can find abundance of scientific exploration, economic study & anthropological research in English than in any language in the world. If you compare the depth of knowledge discovered in BM, the gap is so obvious. Even if you combine those researches which translated into BM, it won’t make any difference at all.

One may argue, Japan can succeed without English. The problem is; why Malaysia don’t?

Japan is not the only country which able to strive & thrive with minimum English medium. Korea & Taiwan are some of them. But comparing these countries successes with Malaysian is a big mistake. Consider these facts:

1. Japanese people command a mindset that quality is compulsory. Whatever they did, they’ll do their best possible effort. If you read the “Toyota Way” book you’ll understand the level of quality satisfaction to the lowest level of their organization.2. Korean undergraduate students start to stay up at night in the library 1-3 months before final exam. One of Abiy’s friends told us that they bring small

12

pillow for 10-20 min nap, after that they’ll continue studying sampai subuh.3. Taiwan is so famous with electrical gadgets. Their dopod handphone able to compete head-to-head with major global brand cell phones like Nokia & SonyEricson. What most people don’t know is they work from 8am till midnight everyday. They have to do that because that’s the only way to move faster than the technology.

Think carefully and compare those with our work principle. Are we “there” yet?

Secondly, there are argument that rather than we learn in English, why don’t just translate those papers in BM. I know the idea is for most of us learn new things but honestly, how many books you’ve read in the past 30-days?

Malays-ian has been known to read the least, around 2-3 books per year at most. With such a low reading frequency and relatively low population, it makes the effort to translate all those knowledge from English become uneconomical.

Lastly, there are a lot of people saying that learning in English will reduce your patriotism. But to me, what’s the use of patriotism without someone’s respect? If so, it’s just like living in a small island but think you are the best in the world; like syok sendiri without benchmarking.

Above all, learning, speaking & thinking in English won’t make you orang puteh at all. I myself still eat belacan, budu & cencaluk. These jatidiri is about your ability to filter what you should believe and do and what is don’t. Learning in English can do nothing to your jatidiri. It can only strengthen what you believe with vast knowledge you have upon learning from someone else.

If you think I really support this PPSMI, continue reading…

The biggest language gap we had is during the tertiary education in University. Significant numbers of our student had been acknowledged of having problems to learn science & technology mainly because of their inability to master English.

But what I don’t agree is, why start implementing in primary school?

Primary school is just a place to expose small kids of the official learning world. As such, forcing huge and significant changes can create a lot of initial hiccups. I

know, Dr M try to fast-track this language conversion so that it can be applied as soon & as fast as possible. It’s just Dr M way of doing business.

However, statistics that a lot of pupils not able to catch up especially the rural areas show that we aren’t dynamic enough to absorb significant changes in less than three years. I live in kampung before and I will tell you first hand that awareness should come first before enforcement in this market. It takes years to educate them “education is important” and guess what, should be another more years for them to understand “English is crucial”.

I think, this PPSMI can be implemented but in stages. First maybe start with matriculation. 3 years later went down to SPM level. 5 – 7 years then start enforcement for PMR students and another 5 – 7 years before it reach UPSR pupils.

Doing it this way, the students can at least learn from their elder brothers/sisters, ample time for teachers to be converted in English medium and most importantly, give the students time to have faith in themselves that they can do it in English.

Therefore, reversing PPSMI for now can be good but once the students’ results strengthen, government should consider implementing it back in stages.

Can you succeed without knowing English? Yes you can!

But don’t complaint much if you are not employed or get good salary ten years after graduation. Reason, the only way to thrive in future is to conquer the world in whatever niche you want. You can’t do this if you don’t master the most widely used language on the planet…

14

REFERENCES

Baird, J. (2008, September 07). The Advantages of Learning English. Retrieved July 27, 2010, from eHow: http://www.ehow.com

Base, A. (2009, February 04). The Importance of English Language Today, Advices and Predisposition of Foreign Language. Retrieved July 30, 2010, from The Article Base: http://www.articlebase.com

Boughton, D. (2006, February 17). Advantages of English. Retrieved July 19, 2010, from Ezine Articles: http://ezinearticles.com

Mohamad, D. M. (2009, March 20). TEACHING AND LEARNING SCIENCE AND MATH IN ENGLISH 2. Retrieved July 20, 2010, from Chedet.com: http://chedet.co.cc/chedetblog

Musa, M. B. (n.d.). Continue Teaching Science and Mathematics in English. Retrieved July 29, 2010, from Lim Kit Siang for Malaysia: http://blog.limkitsiang.com

Selibio, P. (2009, June 03). Benefits of Learning English Language. Retrieved July 22, 2010, from Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com

Star, T. (2010, June 09). English is the Way to go. Kuala Lumpur.

Theuma, L. (2006, June 16). The Benefits of Learning English. Retrieved July 30, 2010, from Article Alley: http://www.articlealley.com

ATTACHMENTS

The Advantages of Learning English

ContributorBy Jeanne Baird, eHow Contributing Writer

The English language is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, second only to Mandarin. That English is used almost everywhere is just one of the many advantages of learning the English language.

Business1. The English language is the primary language of business throughout the world.

Most international business transactions, including emails, memos, reports and contracts are written in the English language.Employment Opportunities

2. Having the ability to fluently speak the English language as well as one's native language can be very beneficial to those seeking job opportunities with interna-tional companies. The ability to speak a language that is spoken by most business people can place the job seeker a step ahead of the competition.Movies

3. Major Hollywood movies have dialogue that is spoken in the English language. The plot of these movies is easier to follow if the person watching the movie speaks English. Subtitles in other languages can sometimes cause the meanings of words to be lost in the translation, and they can be a distraction or even block the action that is taking place on the screen.Travel

4. Since the English language is one that is predominantly spoken throughout the world, international travelers may find that speaking English can make their trav-els a little easier. Most hotel and restaurant employees, as well as store mer-chants, will probably speak English at least to some degree.Schools

5. Students from other countries who attend school in the United States will benefit greatly if they can know basic English. This knowledge will help them communi-

16

cate better with both their students and teachers. The students will also have an easier time with any research or readings that they are assigned.Academics

6. The English language is the predominant language of academics all over the world, with a large amount of research conducted, written and presented in Eng-lish. The English language can be a very helpful tool for scholars to communicate their ideas and research findings with peers in their field.Computers

7. Most software programs are written in the English language. For those who are seeking to expand their computer knowledge, having the ability to read and un-derstand the English language can be invaluable.

Read more: The Advantages of Learning English | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_5230958_advantages-learning-english.html#ixzz0raczvbGf

ADVANTAGES O ENGLISH

There are 1 billion people in this world who are just like you. One billion people trying to conjugate verbs. One billion people trying to understand the difference between much and many. One billion people trying to pronounce TH and make it sound natural. Yes, that's right, one billion people trying to learn English. This is because English has become the most important language in the world. 1.5 billion people already speak the language in addition to the 1 billion that are learning it.

Most major world organizations and functions are administered in English, includ-ing the United Nations, Olympics, and others. Most international business is in English, and the language is often used between people form different nations. English is the international language. As the world becomes smaller there will soon be no way to avoid English. So why not learn it now? Look at all the advan-tages you can have...

Access to Knowledge and Information

Internet

Most of the web pages on the Internet are in English. The Internet has a huge amount of information, some of which can only be accessed in English. English will allow you to chat with people from all over the world in chat-rooms, email and other services.

News

International news is broadcast in English. Examples include networks such as CNN and NBC International. These are much faster and more up-to-date than lo-cal networks, and a knowledge of English allows you to follow news all over the world. Likewise, international newspapers written in English can be found all over the world.

Science

Around 90% of scientific journals are written in English. Therefore, if you want to remain current in the world of science, an understanding of English is vital. For

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the scientists, imagine being able to go to conferences around the world and im-prove your understanding in this field.

Career

Advancing Your Career

If you are interested in advancing in the business world, English is a key to suc-cess. Most countries in some way will do business with English speaking countries. As well, English has become the international language of business and is often used as a neutral language for business between various countries. It is now com-mon for an engineer in Mexico to get technical support in English from an expert in China. With English you can communicate with technicians and experts from the United States in order to help your company. You can also communicate with business people from other countries in the neutral language of English. Compa-nies are also recognizing the value of English and now pay more for employees who can speak English. So even in your own country, speaking English can get you more cash!

Future Jobs

Knowing English will open the door to many new and exciting jobs in countries all over the world. As well, you will be able to obtain jobs in your own country be-cause you can speak English. Your resume will be stronger because you are bilin-gual and have a knowledge of the English language. Your opportunities will be nu-merous when you can speak and read English.

Entertainment

Books

You will be able to read books written by American, British, and other English speaking authors without needing the translated copy. Many classic novels were written in English. Reading Shakespeare just isn't the same in translation.

Magazines

Some of the most famous magazines in the world are in English, such as Time or even Cosmopolitan.

Movies

Learning English will allow you to watch movies in their original language. Holly-wood movies are not as good with translations or subtitles. Wouldn't it be nice to know exactly why the latest Hollywood blockbuster won so many Oscars?

Music

When you learn English you can finally understand what your favourite song on the radio is saying. American and British music is some of the most popular in the world, and surprisingly some musicians still have something important to say in their lyrics.

Travel

Learning English will give you the ability to travel to English speaking countries like the United States, Canada, England, and Australia. As well, you will be able to communicate with other people in Europe, Asia, and all over the world. English is spoken in more than 100 countries and is often the only way to communicate in a foreign country. You would be surprised how many more people in Japan speak English than Spanish. Asking directions is simple when you can speak the lan-guage. Understanding the tour guide is another benefit of understanding English. Your whole vacation will open up before your eyes when you can understand the people and the things around you. With English you will be able to meet new peo-ple on your vacations. Likewise, you will no longer feel embarrassed trying to or-der that steak dinner in a fancy restaurant.

Satisfaction

There is a satisfaction that comes with learning a language. It will be very reward-ing the first time you understand a movie in full, or read a book completely. Or what about helping an English speaking tourist find their way around your city? It is also very fun to tell your friends what exactly the new song on the radio is talk -ing about.

Nothing is more satisfying than having a mistake-free conversation when traveling in an English speaking country. It will be a great moment when you walk away and say to yourself: Hey, I understood everything that guy said.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Boughton

http://www.articlesbase.com/education-articles/the-importance-of-english-language-today-advices-and-predisposition-to-foreign-languages-756320.htmlThe Importance of English Language Today, Advices and Predisposition to Foreign LanguagesPosted: Feb 04, 2009 | Comments: 1 | Views: 6,175 |ShareAds by GoogleFree Chinese Download Chinese Learning Tools Master Chinese Online,学中文很简 单 !www.TutorMing.comLearn English List of Language Schools, Find Addresses, Phones, Mapswww.701panduan.com

Today learning English language is very important, not to say really essential. Once children started learning English just since the junior high, today everything is different.

English language teaching classes start from day nursery, where children attending the “courses”, beyond coming all from different countries, can learn English by playing. Through the use of very easy songs, they will mainly learn colors and animals. The precocious teaching of English language pursuits the final goal to make children grow up and get a multicultural education. As we were saying and as everybody can notice, today our country is made up of different cultures, there are a lot of children coming from different countries attending the English primary school, many different cultures, many languages, many customs and traditions. The learning of a foreign language, especially English, through a deep relationship between language and culture, contribute to enrich children’s cognitive background, making them expand their mental and cultural horizons. But in Italy a lot of people still can’t speak English. Our country always ranks in the last places among other European countries regarding citizens’ foreign languages knowledge. But being able to speak correctly two foreign languages is certainly very useful. First of all English, that since many years has been considered the most important language at international level. Now it should be spoken as well as Italian language.To do so, it is very useful that children learn a foreign language since nursery school, when their mind is still free from a lot of notions and ready to store up

new information. Since the age of two and half years, (but some researchers say also before this age), a child is able to learn very well even more than one foreign language and as adult he will speak all of them in the same way, as they all were their mother tongue. This is the main advantage to make learn a foreign language (and we are talking especially about English) since child. It is certain that children will surely make less effort than an adult to learn English language (or another foreign language, maybe even more than one). An useful advice is to speak English also at home and Italian outside home. This way a child can learn both languages at the same level. Since today it seems that bilingualism also has a positive effect on our brain, as this Padova International School can tell. A research from the York University of Toronto in Canada, has even shown that people, who daily speak fluently two foreign languages, have a strong chance to delay of several years the arise of some kind of dementia such as the Alzheimer’s disease. But also if you are not bilingual yet, you can start now. You can sign up for a specific English course and attend weekly classes in the evening.These all are courses with fee that also issue a certificate of attendance. At the end of the course, you will have to take an exam both oral and written hold by the Padova English school to get this certificate. But if you want to self taught, you can buy booklet periodically sold at the newsstand, regarding the foreign language with included an inset and a CD ROM. This is a new and valid way, not to underestimate, and if taken seriously, will surely give the expected results in a little time. After a bit of practice you will be the master of bilingualism.By Michele De Capitani with support from scuola inglese bambini for any information, please visit scuole materne inglese or for more info visit scuola inglese british .

Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/education-articles/the-importance-of-english-language-today-advices-and-predisposition-to-foreign-languages-756320.html#ixzz0uxzkzGHU Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

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http://chedet.tv/2009/03/pengajaran-dan-pembelajaran-sa-1.phpTEACHING AND LEARNING SCIENCE AND MATH IN ENGLISH 2March 20, 2009 - 6:45 AM | Permalink. | Comments1. I want to explain again why science and mathematics should be taught in English.

2. Unlike other subjects, science and mathematics is the knowledge to grow and grow over time.

3. Every day tens of papers report the results of a survey made in the world. Almost all of this paper is available in English.

4. We can translate the science into the primary national language. But this will not help us understand the theory and application of advanced science in the creation and manufacture of sophisticated products such as mobile equipment, modern weapons, rocket and space station, satellites, aircraft and passengers of the war, submarines, lasers, and hundreds of other Microchip products for particular uses and daily.

5. For this we need a sophisticated science and the latest survey results of science experts like Albert Einstein with the theory relativitinya, Enrico Fermi, Oppenheimer, Edward Teller, Werner Heisenberg and others.

6. I could list a thousand names, and tens of thousands of further exploration, their review is not in the Malay language but this knowledge peting for our progress.

7. To understand them in English writing we require the approval of the PhD the English in particular fields. Not many scientists who have studied the Malay language Malay language that can use for this purpose. Far as I know there is a lot of books on these subjects in Malay.

8. Teaching medical science using English books even talk made in the Malay language. For post-graduate studies in a variety of English used in medical expertise. If there were lecturers who can lecture in the Malay language in this

specialist field, they will consist of learning skills in English.

9. There may be studying science at a low level of Malay language and is able to attend lectures on the English language at the first degree. But for the approval of the higher command of English is required.

10. Obviously, for taking part in seminars and international conferences, to argue, the English language is required.

11. I was not ignorant for 20 years. Even after I realised the usefulness of Indonesia I had to wait until people also realised it. Otherwise THEY will fight tooth and nail to prevent the change from taking place. Even now THEY are fighting.

12. Singapore has progressed like a rocket because they have no opposition parties. Without Extention by the opposition THEY will not know if THEY were doing something right or wrong.

13. Now Singapore is in deep recession because of having made investments in America. So THEY may use Bahasa Indonesia for their education but THEY can still go wrong. But we want to use Home only for science and mathematics and these two subjects are based on truths and logic - not on how Clever you are in making decisions or explaining things.

14. I think in Indonesia when I want to speak or write in Bahasa Indonesia. I think in news when I want to talk, write or discuss in news.

15. I am a news not because of the language I use when thinking or dreaming. I am news because ethnically, lingually, culturally and religiously I am a news and I regard Malaysia as my Homeland.

16. I do not want people behind me because our nationalism is limited to speaking fluency in the language itself. My nationalism includes the success of my race on par with other nations in the world. If to this we have to master English and learn science and mathematics in English, as the Arabs learn to get knowledge of Greek language Greek people, as the Europeans had to learn Arabic to learn Arabic in the 15th century AD, I am willing to do so.

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17. For me to learn Science and Mathematics in English is no different than sending our students to Europe or the Arab nations to claim certain knowledge in their languages. They go as a Malay, and they returned with the knowledge obtained as a Malay. They do not affect the on-Melayuan race. Instead, they upgrade the honor and dignity of the nation.

Lim Kit Siang for Malaysiahttp://blog.limkitsiang.com/Continue Teaching Science and Mathematics in Englishby M. Bakri MusaIn May 2003, five months after the government started the teaching of science and mathematics inEnglish in our schools, the Ministry of Education produced a “study” with the in-credulous findings ofsignificant improvement in our students’ achievements! All in five months!Now five years later, research from the Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) showed the veryopposite results. What gives?Both studies were prominently and uncritically reported in our mainstream me-dia. That first studywas presumably swallowed whole by our policymakers to justify continuing their policy. Rest assuredthat this second one too would be used for a similar purpose, as an excuse to jettison that samepolicy.Despite many attempts I was unable to get a copy of that first study. Nor have I seen it published inany journal, or find any paper credited to its author, raising questions on the cred-ibility of the “study”and competence of its “researcher.”To the credit of its authors, this later paper is freely available on the Internet, all 153 pages of it. Itslead author is an emeritus professor, a title reserved for retired accomplished scholars, with a deanand deputy dean as his coauthors. Despite its impressive authorship, this study is deeply flawed inits design and conclusions. It does however, expose many weaknesses in the im-plementation of thepolicy, in particular the lack of teachers fluent in English.Embarrassingly Flawed Study

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The most glaring deficiency of this second study is its lack of any control group. This is basic in anyresearch design. As the English language policy applies to all schools, you obvi-ously cannot find acontrol group among current students. You can however find historical control groups by using thetest scores of earlier comparable pupils who had been taught and tested in Malay.With some ingenuity we could still have concurrent control groups, for example, Malaysian pupilsattending English schools like Alice School and International School. Another would be adults fluentin English, or even the teachers. If those adults and students in English schools did equally poorly,then clearly the test is not reliable.When I look at the test questions, it is not only the teachers who are deficient in English, so too arethe test makers! Some of the questions are convoluted and would challenge even those fluent inEnglish.The second flaw is that there is minimal statistical analysis of the data. The pupils were tested andthe results simply collated in pages and pages of raw data presented in dull, repetitive anduninformative tables. The authors must be graphically-challenged; they seem to have not heard ofpie charts or bar diagrams.There is also no attempt in delineating the roles of the many variables the re-searchers have included,like teachers’ English fluency, parents’ educational levels, and pupils’ geographic background(urban versus rural). To do that the data would have to be subjected to more so-phisticated statisticalanalyses, beyond the simple analysis of variance used by the authors. Thus we do not knowwhether those students’ test scores could be correlated with their parents’ edu-cational levels (a

well-acknowledged factor) or teachers’ fluency in English.There are numerous conclusions based on just simplistic summations of the data, with suchstatements as X percent of Malay students finding the study of science “easy” compared to Ypercent of Chinese or Indians feeling likewise, or R percent of Malay students scoring high versus Spercent of their Chinese counterparts. It seems that Malaysian academics, like their politicians,cannot escape the race trap.These studies were conducted in January, February and July. Even the dumbest students knew thatthose were not the examination months. They knew those tests “don’t count;” thus skewing theresults. The only way to make them take the test seriously would be to incorpo-rate it into theirregular examinations.Besides, in January and February those students had just returned from their long end-of-yearholidays during which considerable attrition of knowledge occurred. The differ-ence between theracial groups may have nothing to do with academics but on such extraneous matters as how fastthey settle down to their studies.Of the 27 references cited, there is surprisingly no article from refereed journals. Most (14) aregovernment-sponsored surveys, press releases, and newspaper articles, unusual for a scholarlypaper. There are a few books cited, with the most recent published in 2002. There is considerablelag time between what is written in books versus the current state of knowledge. For that you wouldneed journals and attend symposia.Consequently the researchers’ review on bilingual education is dated. Contrary to their conclusion,it is now accepted that exposing children at a young age to bilingual education confers significant

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linguistic, cognitive and other advantages. The authors’ recommendation that pupils be taught onlyin their mother tongue and learn a second language later at a much older age is not supported bymodern research.Studies using functional MRIs (imaging studies) of the brain show that children who are bilingual atan earlier age use their brain more efficiently as compared to those who acquire those skills asadults. For example, when asked to translate between the two languages, “na-tive” bilingualspeakers use only one part of their brain while those who are bilingual as an adult use two.Other cognitive advantages to “native” bilingual speakers include the ability to grasp abstractconcepts faster, precisely the intellectual skill helpful in learning mathematics and higher-levelscience. The higher scores for non-Malays may well be the consequence of their earlier and moreextensive exposure to bilingualism than Malays.Revealing FindingsThe study nonetheless reveals many useful findings. I fear however, that these nuggets ofinformation would be lost by those who care only for the study’s unjustified con-clusion to discontinuethe present policy and revert to teaching science and mathematics in Malay. That would be aretrogressive step.This study is only a snapshot; it does not enlighten us as to trend. It could be that the results wouldcontinue to improve. It is thus presumptuous for the authors to make a sweeping policyrecommendation based only a limited snapshot study, and a poorly-designed one at that.UPSI in its previous incarnation as Sultan Idris Teachers’ College was a hotbed of Malay

nationalism. This study is less an academic research and more political polemic camouflaged as apseudo-scientific study to justify its authors’ nationalist bias. Their data and methodology just do notsupport their conclusion.The study found that fewer than 15 percent of the teachers were fluent in English, and that mostteach using a combination of both languages. That is putting it politely. In reality they usebastardized or “pidgin” English. If those teachers lack English language skills, how could they teachany subject in that language? The fault here is not with the policy, rather its im-plementation. Weshould first train the teachers.In its naivety the government spent over RM3 billion to equip these teachers with computers, LCDsand “teaching modules” to help them in the classroom. Many of those computers are nowconveniently “stolen,” plugged with viruses, or simply left to gather dust as those teachers lack theskills to use them effectively.The only beneficiaries of that program were UMNO operatives who secured those lucrative contracts.Had the government spent those precious funds to hire new teachers fluent in English, our studentswould have been better served, and the policy more effectively implemented.This study missed a splendid opportunity to find out what those students, parents and teachers feltabout the policy. It was as if those researchers and their field workers (undergrad-uates in educationand thus our future teachers) were interested only in administering those tests, collecting their data,and then getting back to campus.Surely those parents and teachers had something to say on the policy. What do the teachers feelabout the billions spent on computers? Are they eager to learn and teach in Eng-lish or do they

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harbor nationalist sentiments and resent the policy? Those surveys would have helped considerablytowards implementing the policy better.A Better WayI support the teaching of science and mathematics in English. I go further and would have half thesubjects in our national schools be taught in English, including Islamic Studies. The objective shouldbe to produce thoroughly or “native” bilingual graduates, able to read, write and even dream inMalay and English. That is the only way to make our graduates competitive.I put forth my ideas on achieving this in my earlier (2003) book, An Education Sys-tem Worthy ofMalaysia. I would start small, restricting the program to our residential schools where the studentsare smarter, teachers better, and facilities superior. Work out the kinks there first, only then expandthe program.I would also convert some teachers’ colleges into exclusively English-medium in-stitutions to trainfuture teachers of English, science, and mathematics.In rural areas where the level of English in the schools and community is low, I would bring back theold English-medium schools, but modifying it significantly with pupils taught ex-clusively in English forthe first four years (“total immersion”). Malay would be introduced only in Year V, and only as onesubject.Since Malay would not be taught in the first few years and only a limited subject later on, admissionto such schools would be restricted only to those with already near-native fluency in Malay or whosehabitual language is Malay. Further, such schools would be set up only where the background levelof Malay in the community is high, essentially only in the kampongs.If we were to do otherwise, as having such schools in the cities where the level of English in the

community is high and Malay low, those graduates would not be fluent in our na-tional language, asduring colonial days. It would not be in the national interest to repeat that mis-take. Besides, the problem of our students’ deficiency in English is most acute in rural areas. Thus it makes sense toestablish English-medium schools there.There are many challenges to the policy of teaching science and mathematics in English. One thingis certain. We will never resolve them if we listen to ambitious politicians playing to the gallery or relyon less-than-rigorous “researches.”Powered by

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http://www.buzzle.com/Benefits of Learning the English LanguageCommunication plays a vital role in today's global challenge, be it in business or personal affairs. Among the often used mediums for communication, the English language serves as a pivotal force in bridging barriers in communication which can make or break international relations and state of affairs. Of the thousand or so business transactions that occur around the world in any given day, English dominates the front lines.

A Senior manager from Canada instructs business partners in the Philippines and Korea. An office manager from the United Kingdom drops a phone call to his contact in Japan, inquiring about his shipment of computer chips. In both examples, English primarily directs a surreptitious existence in the formation of global awareness and progress.

English is definitely a widely spoken language, brandishing 400,000,000 individuals who speak it as a second language and 350,000,000 or so claims it as their native tongue. Though the numbers do not necessarily imply the dominance of the English language or the exact number of users, it does, however depict the significance of English in the mainstream of universal growth.

If you're from the United States, Canada or from any other native English-speaking nation, and you happen to visit an Asian country like Korea or the Philippines, you'll never feel left out as more and more people today try their hardest to attain a command of the English language. Proficient speakers of English, as a second language, can be found everywhere.

Most paradigms have shifted, giving importance to the English language, as it had before. Schools have begun to focus on providing quality English instruction to students in elementary, high school, and even college to prepare their students to be globally competent. Schools in Korea have made it a point to hire native English speakers to properly educate Korean students in English. This task is met with the goal of producing quality English speakers, who can communicate and be

equally competitive in the business arena. Among those institutions that stand out in their drive to educate students in the English language; Worknplay (worknplay.co.kr), provides quality ESL training to it's teachers. It strives to provide quality English teachers to schools all over Korea, making students competitive in their academics and understanding of international affairs.

With this in mind, Asian countries should also take the foothold in improving the linguistic skills of their students, primarily the English language. Mastery of various languages will prepare everyone to be globally competitive.

Take a look at http://www.worknplay.co.kr. And see how students and teachers are putting much importance to learning how to speak English. By Paul Selibio

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http://www.articlealley.com/article_63483_22.htmlThe Benefits of Learning EnglishDate Published: 16th June 2006

Author: Lorinda Theuma

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The English language has become the language of international communication. Many people living in the European Union speak English as a foreign language and use English to communicate with people from all over the worldThere are over 750 million people who speak English as a foreign language. In the year 2000 the British Council said that there were about a billion people learning English.

These people are benefiting from the many advantages of learning English as a foreign language.

Travel

Travel and tourism around the world is carried out in English. If you are planning a holiday to a foreign country you will probably be speaking English not only at the airport but also in the country itself.

Information exchange

One of the biggest advantages of learning English as a second language is that you will be able to discover a world of information. English is the language of the internet world. If you are learning English as a foreign language you will be able to send e-mails to people in English from all over the world.These are only a few advantages of learning English as a foreign language.

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