EDUCATION SHOULD BE IN ENGLISH

1.0 INTRODUCTION

This topic was chosen because of the issue government’s effort to assist unemployed

graduates by introducing the Certificate in English language program through the

Graduate Training Scheme. The graduates already finish their study in tertiary education

but still have problems with the English language knowledge and communication skills.

The government believes that this programme will enhance graduates knowledge as

well as increase their employability.

This assignment was conducting an interview with OUM’s students regarding the

important of mastering English language nowadays. Moreover, the question of what are

the problem in using English and implement the education in English.

1.1 ENGLISH LANGUAGE IN MALAYSIA

English in Malaysia today is as a second language which will provide Malaysian to

access to the international society. Malaysia’s government believes that English

language standard needs to raise it among young people even teachers if Malaysian

wants to compete effectively in the global market. Beside, the changes in the education

system are driven this global market forces as well as leading to a need for the English

language. Unfortunately, the reach of critical point of information technology in Malaysia

seem has no give the effect of English usage among Malaysian youngster which might

because of hampered by the dominant position held by mother tongue – Malay.

Furthermore, the objective of turning Malaysia as educational centre of excellent

are deceived with the not enough input on the content of world class education facilities

and worsen by the teachers and lecturers are just as terrible as the English language

education level. It reveals by the Higher education minister that many lectures in public

universities lacked proficiency in the English language. In conjunction, Minister of higher

education suggested intensive refresher courses in English for lecturers are needed for
 EDUCATION SHOULD BE IN ENGLISH

strengthen the foundation in English grammar among students for better proficient in

English.

Today, English is no longer just seen as a language or a tool but considered a

basic skill needed by Malaysians to function effectively at the international level. The

issues arise from the need of Education should be in English due to Tun Dr Mahathir

Mohamad decided to use English language to teach mathematics and science since the

level of English had gone down. However, this approach seems not enough because of

both of these subjects not using the grammar heavily. Besides, English language only

practice in class because of the environment is not conducive to practicing the use of

English.

Beside Malaysia, many countries recognize the need to place emphasis on

English to meet the demands of an increasingly borderless world – globalization. Such

as in Japan,

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 EDUCATION SHOULD BE IN ENGLISH

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

this language by attending English classes as a second language. According Swanson

and Howerton (2007) English language learners (ELLs) is people who are learning to

hear, speak, read, and write a new language. Moreover, ELLs defines by Brow (2007) is

people whose English is not proficient enough to be immersed in mainstream classes

are nevertheless mainstreamed, except for the pull-out English as a second language

(ESL) class.

Many researchers had proposed technique and method how educators can helps

the ELLs to mastering second language. Swanson and Howerton (2007) proposed 20

ways in which teachers can influence the vocabulary acquisition of the students who are

ELLs due to believe the skills of vocabulary acquisition and reading comprehension are

key for second language learners.

Moreover, Speech-language pathologists identify that students need strong

vocabulary skills to succeed in school. Johnson and Yeates (2006) concluded that

vocabulary development plays a critical role in students’ educational achievement and

reading comprehension.

Furthermore, Brown (2007) proposed that reading comprehension in the content

areas is essential to successful learning. Brown (2007) also mentions with

comprehensible reading materials, it will stimulate ELLs intellectual interests and help

develop the competence in academic reading.

Johnson and Yeates (2007) also highlighted that storybook reading with brief

explanations of target words may be a promising evidence-based practice for improving

vocabulary learning in young school-aged children. While Juzwik & Sherry (2007) founds

that potential aesthetic impact on readers and listeners, where by educators to present
 EDUCATION SHOULD BE IN ENGLISH

moral stances and lessons to students through stories of particular moments, rather than

through universalizing principles.

3.0 METHOD

Data collected for this study is categories into two types which is the primary data

collection technique and the secondary data collection. The secondary data collection is

through reading of education references and published articles. While the primary data

collection done by interview OUM student using interview schedule constructed by

researcher.

3.1 Data Collection

The method of data collection that was used in this study is face-to-face interview

with 10 OUM students on the second tutorial June, 17 2007. Some of the study was

done after class and some while class was conducted.

3.2 Study Instruments

Study Instrument was prepared based on the criteria needs in the guidelines

given enclose with the assignment question. The questionnaire was constructs using the

question proposed in guidelines. This questionnaire consists of two parts;

• Part I: Respondent Profile

• Part II: Education in English

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4.0 RESULT AND DICUSSION

before, data were collected were face-to-face interview with 10 OUM students.

4.1 STATE OF ENGLISH IN MALAYSIA

Majority of the answer for the question about the state of English in Malaysia today are

in a fair state. 6 out of the respondent answered that the level of English today in

Malaysia is fair and only 4 out of 10 respondent answer as English is in the level good

standard. Therefore, from the finding, it indicates that the state of English in Malaysia is

fair.

4.2 ENGLISH NECESSARY

All respondent are agreed that English language is necessary for every one in Malaysia.

However, 3 out of 10 respondents not give any reason for the necessary English for

every Malaysian. The reason why English is necessary for everyone in Malaysia is

English is language that use for international (global) communication, a lot of references

material is in English language and lastly, English language is additional skills that will

help people to communicate easily.

4.3 PROBLEM USING ENGLISH

All the respondent give a respond on the third question that been ask. The main key in

the answer of the respondent is lack of push factor to learn English. Respondent thought

that problem using English in Malaysia is lack of language exposure, lack of parent

encouragement, the effect of Malay language still the main language that used, not

confident with their English and finally the culture and the environments influences.
 EDUCATION SHOULD BE IN ENGLISH

4.4 PROBLEM IMPLEMENTING ENGLISH

Only one of the respondents has no idea about how to implement English in Malaysia.

The others 9 respondents seem give their opinion how English can be implement in

Malaysia to rise up the state of English. The main problem in implementing English in

Malaysia is because of the attitude of Malaysian Their self which there are o shy to use

English even their know to speak in English. The respondent suggested that all subject

in Secondary and primary should change the Malay language into English Language,

campaign of English usage should be launch by government to reduce the influences of

culture and encourage (motivate) Malaysian to speak in English even broken English.

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 EDUCATION SHOULD BE IN ENGLISH

5.0 CONCLUSION

This mini study that I have done conclude that the level of English in Malaysia is

still in fair level even though the Malaysia categorizes as developing country and has

been use English for very long time ago. People around seem aware the necessary of

mastering the English language as additional skills that will help them to cope with the

globalization trends. However, they seem not taking any alternative to upgrade their

English communication skills due to the negative attitude – shy and not confident with

their self.

Moreover, English language is hard to be implementing because of the lack of

push factors that will encourage Malaysia to use English in their daily communication.

The objective of Malaysia to become one educational centre might be impossible to

achieve if Malaysian still depending the external factor such as the campaign of

government.

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