Support for move to make English credit compulsory for SPM
The Education Ministry’s initiative to make a pass in English compulsory for students to obtain their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) has been enthusiastically supported by several quarters.
The National Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) and the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) said the move must, however, be accompanied by good groundwork for policy efficacy.
"It is a good move that will ensure a good future for students. However, positive action to create a good foundation is needed," said National PTA chairman Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Ali Hassan. "It is already a core subject and it is a knowledge-based, global language. So, the language must be mastered by the young."
The ministry is now drafting a proposal while getting public feedback concerning the move to make a pass in English as a compulsory requirement to attain the SPM certificate.
"We welcome the statement. But, there needs to be good preparation before policy change and this involves good groundwork and separation," said NUTP secretary-general Loke Yim Pheng.
Both parties agreed that improving English language proficiency among teachers is the vital step towards the policy change. "First, the standard of English among teachers must be improved. Students must also have a good foundation in grammar and vocabulary. This way, it will be easier for students to master English," said Loke.
Mohd Ali urged the government to provide better facilities and infrastructure such as English labs and supporting materials like enriching textbooks, software implementation and also computer proficiency.
He suggested a change of leadership in schools to ensure only principals of high caliber are employed to lead schools. Schools should also offer incentives to teachers who teach Mathematics and Science in English and practice supplement activities such carrying out drama and debating in English.
The English language has decreased in quality over the years in schools due to the fact that passing English was no longer made compulsory to obtain the SPM certificate. Students were taught communicative English, thus grammar was not emphasised.
Over time, the present teachers in schools only have basic level English skills which is unsatisfactory. The impending teachers that now enter teacher training institutes are also taught communicative English.
Teachers are now inept to teach the language and many students lack the necessary skills to comprehend the language.
"The teachers in schools aren’t proficient enough in English to be teaching. They also don’t have the right attitude. There is no urge to master the English language," said former school teacher and Universiti Malaya lecturer Asiah Mohd Sharif.
The ministry had implemented the policy to teach Science and Mathematics in English in an effort to increase the English proficiency level among school students. However, this policy is being criticised by some quarters who are pro-Bahasa Malaysia.
"Actually, they (the ministry) should make it compulsory to pass English at Standard Six (UPSR) or Form Three (PMR) because learning English is a cumulative process," said Asiah. However, she noted, not all schools have good teachers, especially the rural schools - Agencies.
The National Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) and the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) said the move must, however, be accompanied by good groundwork for policy efficacy.
"It is a good move that will ensure a good future for students. However, positive action to create a good foundation is needed," said National PTA chairman Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Ali Hassan. "It is already a core subject and it is a knowledge-based, global language. So, the language must be mastered by the young."
The ministry is now drafting a proposal while getting public feedback concerning the move to make a pass in English as a compulsory requirement to attain the SPM certificate.
"We welcome the statement. But, there needs to be good preparation before policy change and this involves good groundwork and separation," said NUTP secretary-general Loke Yim Pheng.
Both parties agreed that improving English language proficiency among teachers is the vital step towards the policy change. "First, the standard of English among teachers must be improved. Students must also have a good foundation in grammar and vocabulary. This way, it will be easier for students to master English," said Loke.
Mohd Ali urged the government to provide better facilities and infrastructure such as English labs and supporting materials like enriching textbooks, software implementation and also computer proficiency.
He suggested a change of leadership in schools to ensure only principals of high caliber are employed to lead schools. Schools should also offer incentives to teachers who teach Mathematics and Science in English and practice supplement activities such carrying out drama and debating in English.
The English language has decreased in quality over the years in schools due to the fact that passing English was no longer made compulsory to obtain the SPM certificate. Students were taught communicative English, thus grammar was not emphasised.
Over time, the present teachers in schools only have basic level English skills which is unsatisfactory. The impending teachers that now enter teacher training institutes are also taught communicative English.
Teachers are now inept to teach the language and many students lack the necessary skills to comprehend the language.
"The teachers in schools aren’t proficient enough in English to be teaching. They also don’t have the right attitude. There is no urge to master the English language," said former school teacher and Universiti Malaya lecturer Asiah Mohd Sharif.
The ministry had implemented the policy to teach Science and Mathematics in English in an effort to increase the English proficiency level among school students. However, this policy is being criticised by some quarters who are pro-Bahasa Malaysia.
"Actually, they (the ministry) should make it compulsory to pass English at Standard Six (UPSR) or Form Three (PMR) because learning English is a cumulative process," said Asiah. However, she noted, not all schools have good teachers, especially the rural schools - Agencies.
