Teachers: the key for learning good English

I refer to DPM: Improve English, The Star (8 Aug 2011). The Deputy Premier, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yasin cum Education Minister has raised concerned over current the level of English among students despite studying the language for fifteen years, from Year One up to Form Five. Of course, many reasons can be cited for the low proficiency of English among students. 

As an educationist, I believe the main cause is our teachers. I am not pin-pointing at teachers but merely putting my argument based on current reality in schools and in the education system. We can revamp the education system as many times as we want, but things will not change. The main players in the system are the teachers. They should be the correct breed and should have the right perspective in teaching, in particular languages. 

We do hear incidences of teachers who are not competent enough to teach English Language. Some of them could hardly speak English fluently, what more to teach the subject effectively. Ironically, these teachers have been selected and trained as English teachers, perhaps based on the academic qualification. 

Teaching a language is should not be based on academic excellence only, but on the competency of a teacher. The teacher should have the niche for teaching language. Above all, the teacher must be passionate about teaching language, be it any language. I feel these elements are missing among our English teachers today. 

Learning languages doesn’t mean completing exercises from workbooks and revision books alone. This is what is happening in many schools, especially in primary schools today. Learning language involves plentiful use of language orally, speaking activities, reading aloud practices, and other language activities. 

We hear complaints from students and parents that teachers teaching English make grammatical errors themselves and are not able to conduct an effective and interesting English class. 

I do not deny the fact that there are excellent English teachers among the present population of educators. But the number, sadly to say is too few to play an effective role to raise the standard of English among our students. 

What immediate measures can be taken by the Ministry? I strongly urge the Ministry to consider bringing back retired teachers who have proven track records as English teachers. While recruiting new teachers search out for the teachers with the qualities like passion for teaching and competency in teaching English. This should be the right criteria for choosing English teachers. Merit is an important element in selecting English teachers. 

We cannot afford to lose out in the long run, just because we don’t have competent English teachers in the country.  We should rectify and correct the current anomalies so that the teaching of English can be enhanced in the nation.

Junior Youths

Parents today face many challenges in raising good children, in particular children from the age of 12 to 15. This age group is perhaps the most vulnerable age group in our society now.

This group can neither be classified as children nor teenager. They represent a distinct age group with special needs as they are somewhat in between childhood and youth when many changes are occurring within them. At this crucial period of life, they face tumultuous physical and emotional change.

They display characteristics that are unique or particular to this age. Probably, we can refer them as junior youths.

These junior youths are a specific age group faced with a lot of challenges in life. Generally, they are always considered as problematic, unresponsive and self-consumed.

It is at this age that they are often mislead and end up in wrong company and thus become derailed in life. Even the school-going children at this age manifest peculiar and strange behaviours which parents will admit too.

If these young people are left to own whims and fancies, surely they will be lost in life. It will too difficult to bring them the normal facet of life once they reach 15 or 16 as they have strayed too far.

But the question is what are we doing to them? Can all parties concerned do something or render a helping hand to these dismayed youths?

The schools surely cannot handle them effectively. Nowadays teachers are bogged down with too much task that they can’t find time to realign this troubled young people.

Parents too face a lot of challenges in guiding them. Sometimes, these young people are just left alone as they cannot be handled by own parents.

Despite painted negative by the world, the junior youths are actually otherwise. These junior youths are actually eager and curious to learn about the universe. They tend to explore a lot of new things at this age. They have the desire to contribute to the construction of a better world.

But, sadly their acts are sometimes misunderstood and considered as bad by parents and society at large. But, our challenge is to bring care and concern to these youths.

I believe creative attention must be devoted to involve them in programs of activity that will engage their interests, mould their capacities for service, and involve them in social action.

The programmes planned for them should assist them to recognize the moral issues underlying everyday decisions and identify the moral implications of speech and action. The programmes need to empower them to channel their energies towards both strengthening their own character and to serving their community.

I understand that there are communities, social bodies, religious bodies, and NGO’s making efforts to assist these youths. Notably, the Bahá’i community is spearheading programmes called The Junior Youth Spiritual Programme, a global initiative at endowing this group with ability to recognize the spiritual significance of their actions and word.  

The aim of this programme is to assist junior youth to take ownership for their spiritual and intellectual development, to develop a strong sense of purpose and the volition needed to make good decisions, and to engage in meaningful social action in their communities.

Their programmes adopt a participatory mode of learning where the facilitator and participants learn from each other.

Report indicate that these programmes are well-received by junior youths in many parts of the country.  We hope more concerted efforts are taken to help this special group of people. We can’t afford to lose this special group of young people, precious ones who are going to be leaders of tomorrow.

Marriage: A social and sacred institution

The recent controversial statement by the Obedient Wives Club has sparked off a lot of disagreements among Malaysians.  I believe the issue debated is about marriage, in particular the relationship between husband and wife. The other underlying issue is how to persevere a marriage.

I believe in this debate, we need to understand the fundamentals of a marriage. What is basically a marriage? Marriage is a union between two souls that has been instituted by our society to enable the married parties to lead a happy and blissful life.  

Marriage should be seen a commitment and mutual attachment of mind and heart of two parties to each other. It should be a binding agreement to ensure that the tie endures forever. Marriage is simply not only a contract between two parties, but also should be regarded as a divine institution.

Once couples are united in wedlock, they must show forth the utmost faithfulness one to another. Loyalty and fidelity are elements that ensure the marriage endures. Of course, this is the challenge of today’s couples. They need to continually nourish their tree of union with love and affection at all times.

What are then the ingredients of marriage? What makes a marriage work? Are there any specific formulas that exist to preserve the sanctity of marriage?

To sustain a marriage, first love and agreement must manifest between couples. If enmity and hatred exist within them, then destruction and dispersion is inevitable. 

The couples should be thoroughly acquainted with the characters of each other so that they can understand each other better. They should become like loving comrades and companions for time and eternity.

Although marital union do give importance to the physical aspect of marriage, but the spiritual purpose and function of marriage should be also be given prominence.  True marriage should be a unification of two people physically and spiritually.  If only couples are physically inclined, then the marriage probably cannot endure long enough.

In short, where there is love, nothing is too much trouble and there is always time. If this exists among couples, sure that union will sustain.

Use of mantan in Malay

I refer to the news ‘Mantan’ not accurate, says Rais’ NST June 8.  It is rather a surprise when Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said the word mantan, a word borrowed from Indonesia is not an appropriate word for the English word ‘ex’ or ‘former’. 

When consulted Kamus Dewan, Edisi Keempat, the latest edition, the entry of the word mantan is explained as follows: ‘dahulunya pernah menjawat jawatan tertentu, tetapi sekarang tidak lagi, bekas’.  It could be perhaps translated in English as follow: ‘previously held a specific post, but not now, former’. 

 The Online Indonesian-English Dictionaries  also cite ‘former’ in English as the equivalent meaning to mantan. I know that this word has been in use quite recently as the earlier versions of Kamus Dewan do not have the entry of the word mantan before 2005.  The Indonesian word has probably entered Bahasa Malaysia vocabulary some years ago. As there is doubt about the correct usage of the word,  the origin of the word need to be traced and its meaning ascertained.  

I hope Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, the guardian of the Malay Language could clarify this issue by making an appropriate statement. Such an announcement is crucial as the word is popular and widely used in Malay, in writing and speaking among Malay speakers.  Such clarification is also important especially in the context of teaching and learning in schools and other learning institutions.

Use proper bahasa Malaysia in billboards

I refer to ‘Mind your translation’ 2 Jun 2011 (The Star). As explained by Dr M.A. Nair, many billboards, advertisements and product packages do not display the correct use of our national language. Many of them contain wrong spelling and usage of bahasa Malaysia.

As explained by Dr Nair, the word merbahaya doesn’t exist in the language. The root word is bahaya and words like berbahaya, membahayakan are generated by using prefix and suffixes like ber and mem-kan. In Malay, prefix mer does not exist.  But, we do have the word marabahaya, which means disaster or calamity. Despite that, we still notice traffic signboards like Selekoh Merbahaya which should read Selekoh Berbahaya (Dangerous bend)  are displayed on highways and roads in the country.

Another common error in traffic sign is kurangkan laju. It is should be kurangkan kelajuan. Laju is an adjective, where else kelajuan is a derived noun from the root word laju. The sentence kurangkan kelajuan is correct, which correctly explains  ‘reduce speed’. Kurangkan laju , which is grammatical incorrect should be avoided.

With reference to bill boards and advertisements, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, (DBP) the guardian of the national language has been endorsed to preserve the integrity and of honour of bahasa Malaysia.

In fact, there is special section called Pengembangan bahasa Sektor Swasta  (Development of Language in the Private Sector Section)  at  the Language Department (Jabatan Bahasa) of DBP. This section of the Department looks into language use in posters and signboards and billboards in bahasa Malaysia in the country.  Companies, government agencies or even individual wanting to put  billboard or advertisement need to counter-check with this Section of DBP on the proper use of the language.  If this Section of DBP is always referred, perhaps language errors in billboards and advertisements can be checked and reduced.

English and bahasa Malaysia are two different distinct languages with its own grammar dan language structure. One should not confuse with the structures of these two languages.  Let us hope billboards and traffic signs display proper use of our national language.

Non-Malays play important role in nation-building

I refer to Chok Suat Ling’s comment ‘Bring the honour back to teaching’ NST 19/5/2011. I also echo the same sentiments expressed by her in the courageous comments. I am sure all incentives and goodies announced by the government recently, will serve as a moral boost for educators, especially for those holding administrative posts. 

We are not sure how these promotions and incentives will benefit the other normal teachers. A few have already expressed their concern that they are always left out in enjoying the perks whenever rewards are announced by the government.   What about teachers holding PhDs and Master degrees? They also seem to be left out. All such issues need to be addressed and solution ought to be sought. 

The other point as pointed out vividly by Suat Ling is the issue of non-Malays in the teaching force. I remember raising this point some years ago- ‘Non-Malay the missing ingredient’ NST 30/4/2008). Currently, non- Malays do not form the bulk of the teaching force. The number of non-Malay headmasters and principals of schools are regrettably low now. 

The current ratio of 10% non-Malay teachers in the teaching force need to be increased and more non-Malays should be given headmaster and principals post to reduce the clear imbalance that exists now.

Cries that non-Malays are not interested in teaching cannot be accepted now. We hear that many young non-Malays are lamenting that their application to become teachers has always been turned down.

 It is sad to note this imbalance as this situation doesn’t reflect the 1 Malaysia concept actively promoted and pursed by the government. Mere singing or chanting the 1Malaysia songs and slogans do not foster the concept of 1Malaysia, a noble notion mooted by our Prime Minster some years ago. In truth, the notion is far from becoming a reality. 

We do not want this concept to just remain as a utopian notion, but gradually as a social acceptance of all races in the country.  I believe we need more time and sacrifice for this noble concept to sink into the depths of the Malaysian’s minds.  That is the optimistic wish and desire of all Malaysians. 

I believe we need more radical changes in policies and strategies to recruit more non-Malays to join the teaching force, and become partners in nation-building.