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.