In Malaysia, we have three major races; Malay, Chinese and Indian. Our National Constitution Act 1963 certified and acknowledged Malay Language as Malaysia National Language and English as second medium of instruction in Malaysia. In order to be accepted to Malaysia National Universities, Malaysians must pass Malay language subject in SPM Examination (general exam). In the other hand, passing English is not a priority because you can retake the subject again in college or at university levels with an acceptable passing grade of C. That is enough!
The factor above can be one of the reasons students are not motivated enough to learn English. I can improve the situation by taking this course where I could learn pedagogy and activities that can be implemented in classroom. I will make them realize the importance of English language by revealing the global and vast usage of English in academia and communication as compared to other languages. This is proven when PubMed, a well known scientific publisher, published 6000 journals in English (Falagas et al, 2005). The reasoning of producing publications in English is to provide facilitation and communication between individual researchers to use the universal Science language, English. In addition, English also help the knowledge transfer, regardless of their nationality (Montgomery, 2004).
I noticed today after completing CLD Biography Cards activity, it is quite interesting because it is simple and universal and not culturally related; it broke down the language and cultural barriers. Hence, students get to know their friends. There is nothing cultural when it comes to introducing yourself, which is easy; every body can do plus the instruction given by is quite clear by guiding the students what to be explained and answered in the cards and making them interact. So the students don’t have to scratch their head to think of what are the things that he/ she should tell to their new friends. My Life in Six Pictures is a good ice breaking activity too. It is relatively easy because it does not involve writing a full essay whereas in reality writing is the most difficult skill to teach because writing itself is a process and product. Instructor asked the students to write 1 or 2 sentences and prior to that, students had to draw any pictures that related to them thus make it understandable. A picture is worth a thousand does make sense when it comes to this notion.
However, in 2004, there was a change in academic language policy in Malaysia. All Mathematics, Science and other technical subjects must be taught in English. This was a sudden change for us because we have two different concerns here, to teach English language to our multiracial students that are non English speakers and at the same time going through the transition processes which impact us so much, including teaching Science and Mathematics’ teachers English. Sometimes we have to bear the consequences for not being able to teach Science and Mathematics teachers proper English. I can say this because what they really need is technical English plus English for communication. Can you imagine teaching adult learners (Science and Mathematics teachers) who have superior experiences in teaching and at the same time they are critically evaluating your teaching performances ( and at the same time they are silently against the policy and strong advocators of our National Language) and realizing the only weapon that you have is your English communication abilities to face them? Whenever I taught them, these questions would pop up in my mind; Am I using the right approaches? Are the materials suitable for them?
I strongly believe when you are an English teacher in bilingual setting, you are at the same time pluralists advocators. Every student regardless of his/her background is unique. I don’t recall who said this, teaching language is actually teaching the culture of the language to your students mind” but I do keep in mind that we can’t impose other culture because culture is sacred. We must always celebrate student cultures that are different to us and at the same time the students are given opportunity to learn. The goal of ESL in fact is giving them the opportunity to believe that education ground is equal and they are given chance to succeed.
In conclusion, with all the problems that I face when I was a teacher in Malaysia, I believe I really need to learn back all the methodologies, approaches, instruction and practice to get back the essence of real teaching confidently. Also realizing that I was graduated in 2003, it is very much imperative for me to sit, learn and reflect my previous teaching that is rusty already.
References:
Montgomery S: Of towers, walls, and fields: perspectives on language in science. Science 2004, 303:1333-1335
Falagas M.E, Fabritsi E, Chelvatzoglou F.C,Rellos C Penetration of the English language in science: the case of a German national interdisciplinary critical care conference. Critical Care 2005, 9:655-656
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