Call for more Purposeful Use of English in School

Star Q

i.  Past Imperfect - Plural Nouns

ii.  Honey Roasted Chicken

iii.  Meraikan Peserta Karnival Sukan

The example cited by the former Prime Minister, Tun Mahathir, about 333 graduates who were called for a job interview but only seven were recruited due to their lack of proficiency in English Language, may not be a big deal to people who have their own ideals and their own agenda to fulfil.  Sadly though, the voice of the majority in this case, even though heard loud and clear, is not really paid any attention to.

Tun Mahathir is not the only Malaysian who has been going around proposing the importance of English Language.  In fact in another of his statement yesterday he said that students will lose out if the government continues to neglect the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English.  

It is indeed plausible (to a certain extent) for the government to introduce the PPPM to increase the proficiency of English amongst students before they leave school at the age of seventeen years old.  However, having listed all the things that can be done via the PPPM, it would also be best if the government looked at all the things that have been done to improve the proficiency of English amongst students of yesteryear; students who now have become fluent users (not just speakers) of English themselves, including the people running the government.  

It is a blatant contradiction to all the plans lined-up when the DPM himself urges that the old glory of English be brought back and he himself does not find any worth in the techniques of teaching his teachers once taught him; those that have made a proficient speaker of English.  He trudges on full force with the long list of things that need to be done within the God knows how many phases of the PPPM without looking back at the merits of teaching English of yesteryear but still insist on bringing back the old glory of English.

I am his proficiency in English is proof enough that the old methods of teaching English are not only plausible but also warrant some degree of merit; techniques like route learning, reading aloud, focus on grammar per se, dictations and spelling have done wonders to people of his era (and mine)  There was no need to increase the number of periods of teaching English; and as I remember that were only four learning periods of English during my time while the other period was used for writing per se; not writing essays or poems but writing for the sake of improving ones handwriting!

I also must say having other subjects taught in English in school increased the chances of improving the proficiency of English among students.  Thus, it is a proven fact when students have purpose in learning English, they will somehow do well in the language and become proficient.  Learning English for the sake of English is not enough motivation for students of the present era.  They need to learn English for other purpose like learning other subjects and to face the real world in the future.  

Denying them the opportunity to learn English  while at the same time learning other subjects like Mathematics and Science in English, is like denying them the proficiency that is owed to them.  They deserve to be given the opportunity.  They deserve to be given the purpose!