Teaching Mathematics and Science in English in Malaysian Classrooms: Reality or Fantasy?

The book (in the photo above) means a lot to me because this was the book that sparked off my interest in learning science in English when I was only fifteen. That year, just after I sat for my Sijil Rendah Pelajaran (Form 3 examination), I visited my former tuition teacher and her sister was about to throw away this book when I arrived. Since it was still new, I asked her to give it to me. So, instead of spending my year-end holidays working at KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) like what my schoolmates did, I read through the entire book word by word within two months. As I have been learning science in the Malay language up till then, I did have some difficulties reading this book at first but after having read through the entire book, I discovered that I had actually learnt many new scientific terms that I have never come across before. Learning English is one thing but learning science in English is another because it is not possible for me to come across any scientific terms by learning English alone.

Learning Science in English has since become a great enjoyment for me as I could not help feeling proud of myself then because I was doing something that I knew none of my friends would ever do. Why stay at home and read when you can have fun? Why study science in English when it would not give you any monetary benefits? Well, only a silly child like me would ever do that. Feeling excited with my achievement and new discovery, I made up my mind to learn Mathematics and Science in English the following year when I was in form 4. Although my mom had already bought all the maths and science text books for me in the Malay language, I went to all the bookshops that I could find to look for the English version of the texts. I was lucky that I could still find some which the shopkeepers intended to get rid of. I considered myself very lucky as I managed to grab them on time. Below are photos of some of the memorable mathematics and science textbooks that I am still having with me even though I have thrown away most of my old text books. 

Comprehensive Biology by Lam Peng Kwan, which was recommended to me by my cousin brother, was the best biology text of my time. I was lucky enough to get the last copy of this book from Anthonian Store when I went book hunting after passing my Sijil Rendah Pelajaran (SRP) Examination. Luckily it wasn't extinct yet! This book used to mean a lot to me as I've read it countless times until I could memorize long passages from it. Although I have already thrown away the translated Malay version of this book because the translation was confusing, this original English version, which is already old and torn, has in it memories of my beautiful childhood days that I will treasure forever. 

A New Certificate Chemistry by Holderness & Lambert: Although I have the Malay version of this book, the translation was difficult to understand and confusing as there were some minor translation errors here and there, Translation can be hazardous as it could remove many important details and one cannot deny the fact that a translated version of the text could never be the same as the original one. Further, after spending my holidays reading a science text in English, I just could not force myself to read the Malay version of this book anymore even though I knew that I had to answer my exam questions in Malay. I prefer to read the original text in English, untampered with translation, and with its information at first hand.

Chemistry by D.N. Underwood & D.E. Webster: It was my cousin brother who recommended this book to me. I bought it from Anthonian Store on the same day I bought Comprehensive Biology (above) by Lam Peng Kwan. I used this book as a reference. Answering exam questions in Malay did not give me any problems even though all my mathematics and science texts were in English. 

Fundamentals of Physics by M. Nelkon: I find this book very easy to understand - the most perfect physics text for a form 4/5 student. Just imagine how many new words you can learn from this book after reading it thoroughly! I actually fell in love with this book at first sight!

Additional Mathematics by Tan Wang Seng: This was my first Mathematics text in English. Although my mother had bought me the Malay version of this book, I did not use it but kept it for my younger brother.

An Atlas of Histology by W.H. Freeman and Brian Bracegirdle: Here you can see both the original English version of this book as well as a translated version of one of my form 6 texts. It has never occurred to me that I am still having the translated version of one of my biology practical texts until I was clearing my things some weeks ago!

A Course in HSC Practical Chemistry by James Chong and David Law. This book was given to me by my cousin brother. It has helped me a lot with my chemistry practical when I was in form 6. I did have a translated version of this book (if I were not mistaken, it was green in colour) but I have never opened it as I preferred to use the original English text.

Introduction to Physical Chemistry by G.I. Brown: When I was in Form 6, the desire to learn Mathematics and Science in English continued. The moment I got into Lower 6, I went to all the bookshops in town to find the original English texts even though it wasn't easy because these books had almost become extinct in Malaysia.

Biology: A Functional Approach by M.B.V Roberts - The Bible of Biology. I have read through this book countless times until I could memorize long passages from it. Although I have the Malay version of this book, I have never opened it. I prefer to read the original text in English.

Advanced Level Physics by Nelkon & Parker: The Bible of Physics. The original text is always the best and cannot be replaced by any translated versions of it. So what's the problem with the learning of mathematics and science in our Malaysian schools? Why is it a failure? If a silly girl of 15 like me could do it, why not others? Learning mathematics and science in English is actually a very simple task but why is it made so complicated that it has to be discarded? 

In 1996, Dr Mahathir – as the then Prime Minister – had introduced a policy to teach Mathematics and Science in English but this policy was reversed in 2012. Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad does not agree with reintroducing English-medium schools but maintains that Mathematics and Science should be taught in English. He said a pass in English should also be made compulsory and that all the measures were needed to help stem the declining proficiency in the language as well as help pupils master Mathematics and Science. “I won’t agree to reintroducing English-medium schools but I do believe that if we teach Maths and Science in English as well as make English a compulsory subject, it would be sufficient,” said Dr Mahathir. Making a pass in English compulsory and teaching of Mathematics and Science in English, he said, would not breach Malaysia’s policy of promoting the national language. “Other subjects can be taught in Bahasa Malaysia but Science and Maths are different subjects because the pace of change and new findings happen almost every day,” said Dr Mahathir. On whether the country’s students had suffered as a result of the policy reversal, Dr Mahathir said he had received complaints that the quality of local graduates had fallen. “Their poor English proficiency means they cannot interact with people effectively, which is a problem especially if they work in foreign affairs, for example,” he said (The Star Online, 13 June 2015).

“Let’s be honest with ourselves. Singapore has done well as a country. Their students have fared very well in Mathematics and Science. The prominent use of English has set them ahead of us,” said the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar (Malay Mail Online, 14 Sept 2015).

Malaysia must make proficiency in English its top priority if local businesses are to thrive globally, said prominent banker Datuk Seri Nazir Razak. In a caption accompanying his Instagram post, the chairman of the country’s second-largest bank CIMB cautioned that the current workforce was losing its competitive edge due to poor mastery of the language. “English is the global language and as a nation we should declare English language proficiency as our top priority. “It’s a traditional edge that our workforce is losing fast; we must reverse the deterioration now,” he wrote as a caption on the photo-sharing app accompanying a snapshot of a June 30 Bloomberg report headlined, “Honda to Set English as Official Language.” He added that enforcing the use of English to boost its command would not cause the national language to suffer or be forgotten. “(And no, it does not mean we have to neglect bahasa!)” he wrote. A Forbes contributor also pointed that Malaysians’ deteriorating command of English and education system has left its workforce vulnerable to regional competitors that are both cheaper and improving. This came after former Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyididn Yassin said he was “shocked” that Malaysian students continue to lag behind global counterparts despite Malaysia spending as much on education as some developed nations such as the United States. Last year, Muhyiddin, who was also education minister, expressed bafflement at local students’ inability to master English despite nearly two decades of education (The Malay Mail Online, 21 July 2015). 

A Photo Tour of Bayu Beach Resort, Port Dickson

Bayu Beach Resort is ideally located in the scenic seaview town of Port Dickson (between the 4th and 5th mile of Port Dickson), along the popular Pantai Cahaya Negeri beach stretch. Only 2 hours' drive away from busy Kuala Lumpur, it is easily accessible from the North-South Highway and the new Sepang International Airport. Accommodations comprising of 228 rooms made up of Studio Rooms, Family Deluxe and Deluxe Rooms of one, two and three bedrooms. Bayu Beach Resort is the ideal holiday destination for families, groups, business meetings and outings. The rooms are tastefully furnished with air-conditioning, colour television with Astro, mini refrigerator and coffee-tea making facility. Most rooms come with a private balcony providing an unobstructed and spectacular view of the sea where you can watch the beautiful sunset in the evening. Facilities at the hotel include a swimming pool, gym, sauna, restaurants and recreational sports counter on the beach. For meetings and conventions, the resort has up to eight halls; Bayu I to VI, Bayswater accommodating between 40 and 230 people (theatre style); and Bayu Ballroom that fits 700 people (theatre) style. From small meetings to major events, Bayu Beach certainly makes any occasion a memorable and rewarding one indeed.

Can you see my laptop and mouse on the bed?

 

It was indeed a great luxury to have this room all for myself.

 

 

 

A view from my room - how I wished I could see the sea.

 

The pure white dining hall facing the sea - makes your meals tastier. I always

love to sit by the window to enjoy the beautiful sea view whilst eating.

 

It's difficult to diet when you are confronted with good food!

 

 

I have always loved the sea!



Waited for the sunset on the beach one day before I left (26 August 2015)

but there was no sun that evening.

 

Beading: A Hobby That Gives You a Feeling of Accomplishment and Satisfaction

Does your eye for fashion extend beyond the selection at your local shopping mall? Do jewelry counters ignite your imagination? If so, beading is the perfect craft for you. It is always better to have a hobby to take your mind off a stressful situation, to have some peace of mind, to relax, to enjoy and to learn. You can do so by choosing a hobby that you find interesting. Some may love painting, some love gardening, and some are passionate about movies. If you are looking to engage yourself in a new hobby, you could try beading which could be both exciting and satisfying as it gives you a sense of accomplishment. This is because creating any kind of objects on your own makes you feel proud of yourselves

The most popular item to make with beads is jewelry. Beginners usually start out with large plastic type beads and make bracelets and necklaces with them. Then, as they proceed with this hobby, they will use smaller beads. It is not difficult to find dozens of books about beading at your local book stores (such as Popular & Kinokuniya if you were staying in Kuala Lumpur) with different designs and patterns that could give you some ideas of how to proceed with your jewelry projects. For beading purposes, I strongly recommend two of my favourite books, namely "Aspiring Artist's Studio: Beaded Jewelry Design" by Tair Parnes and "Beading with Charms" by Katherine Duncan Aimone.

In Tair Parnes' "Aspiring Artist's Studio: Beaded Jewelry Design", the easiest projects are found in the first four sections and include detailed instructions and photographs of key steps. This book takes you on a colourful journey into a world of infinite artistic possibilities. Artist and author Tair Parnes guides you through 23 projects, clearly described with step-by-step instructions and accompanies by vibrant colour photos . Every earring, necklace, brooch, and bracelet is like a little exhibition of contemporary art plucked from her studio.

"Beading with Charms" by Katherine Duncan Aimone.- The gorgeous pieces featured in this book probably have you eager to start playing with your tools and bead stash. Whether you use the designs as launching points for your own creations or want to achieve the exact same results, you will find this book very useful. If you do not wish to spend money on these books, the Internet can provide a vast resource of free information for your beading projects.

Beading is a hobby many people enjoy and there are many different varieties of beads that you can use to make necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and even watches. Whether you are making a necklace, bracelet, or a watch, the method is the same. Once you have threaded all your beads onto the thread, you will need to tie a tight knot at the end. Cut the loose ends of the knot as close as you can. The knot will pull up into one of the beads. Believe me, once you learn the basics of beading, you will find this hobby very interesting and absorbing. I have been dabbling in this hobby for years and have created lots of artificial jewelry items. One of the greatest things about creating your own jewelry is that you can fashion it to suit any style or wardrobe. Another advantage is that the beading process is rhythmic, soothing and relaxing. Below are pictures of some my creations. I hope my readers would enjoy seeing them.

Beads come in a multitude of shapes, styles and colours. They may be plain or fancy, large or small, glass or wood. If you can drill a hole in it, you can make a bead out of it. The possibilities are endless.

 

 I don't fancy luxurious watches as I am proud of the watches that I made myself. The same goes for necklaces too. I feel happier wearing jewelleries that I make myself as they are cheaper and safer too! After being robbed of my gold chain and pendant, I am left without a choice but to start a new hobby i.e. beading.