S. Korea emulating Malaysia by teaching Maths and Science in English
JOHOR BARU: Many countries have found the debate over the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English “amusing”, an education group said.
Malaysian English Language Teaching Association (Melta) said one example was South Korea which had emulated Malaysia’s move to teach Science and Mathematics in English.
“They have found the recent developments over the issue rather amusing as there are statements made here which make it sound like Malaysia is trying to take a step back,” said Melta president Dr S. Ganakumaran.
He said the South Korean delegation was here to attend the 18th International Melta Conference attended by a total of 530 teachers and lecturers from various private and public educational institutions from 28 foreign countries.
“They have started their pilot project and are watching Malaysia’s handling of the matter closely,” said Dr Ganakumaran, adding that based on feedback that he had received, many Asean countries looked at Malaysia as a frontrunner and were trying to emulate the country’s education model.
The issue of making English a compulsory subject to pass in SPM was also widely discussed at the conference and many felt that they were not trained well to handle the subject.
Dr Ganakumaran said that Melta hoped there would be a detailed study on the matter before any implementation.
“Let’s give a fair warning to teachers and children before we implement anything,” he said.
On the conference, he said the participation was good and their main aim of having it in Johor was to allow for teachers outside Kuala Lumpur to also take part.
The Star is the media sponsor for the conference.
Meanwhile, in Kuala Lumpur Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk S.K. Devamany said making English a must-pass subject would not change the status of Bahasa Malaysia as the national language.
“The world is going into multi-culturalism and people are speaking and learning in more than one language. It makes them more marketable and knowledgeable.
“English is important for future development and knowledge,” he said after attending Windfield International College of Nursing’s Nurses Day yesterday.
Malaysian English Language Teaching Association (Melta) said one example was South Korea which had emulated Malaysia’s move to teach Science and Mathematics in English.
“They have found the recent developments over the issue rather amusing as there are statements made here which make it sound like Malaysia is trying to take a step back,” said Melta president Dr S. Ganakumaran.
He said the South Korean delegation was here to attend the 18th International Melta Conference attended by a total of 530 teachers and lecturers from various private and public educational institutions from 28 foreign countries.
“They have started their pilot project and are watching Malaysia’s handling of the matter closely,” said Dr Ganakumaran, adding that based on feedback that he had received, many Asean countries looked at Malaysia as a frontrunner and were trying to emulate the country’s education model.
The issue of making English a compulsory subject to pass in SPM was also widely discussed at the conference and many felt that they were not trained well to handle the subject.
Dr Ganakumaran said that Melta hoped there would be a detailed study on the matter before any implementation.
“Let’s give a fair warning to teachers and children before we implement anything,” he said.
On the conference, he said the participation was good and their main aim of having it in Johor was to allow for teachers outside Kuala Lumpur to also take part.
The Star is the media sponsor for the conference.
Meanwhile, in Kuala Lumpur Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk S.K. Devamany said making English a must-pass subject would not change the status of Bahasa Malaysia as the national language.
“The world is going into multi-culturalism and people are speaking and learning in more than one language. It makes them more marketable and knowledgeable.
“English is important for future development and knowledge,” he said after attending Windfield International College of Nursing’s Nurses Day yesterday.
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