THE decision to make English a compulsory pass subject in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination has yet to be finalised by the Education Ministry, following feedback from stakeholders, teachers
and parents.
Those who are sitting SPM this year may consider themselves lucky as they will not risk leaving school without a certificate as, for many, English is a harder subject to pass compared with the two must-pass subjects, Bahasa Melayu and History.
But many may wonder how long teachers need to prepare their students for the implementation.
No matter how much effort parents and teachers put in to help students succeed, at the end of the day, it depends on the latter’s determination to make every effort count.
Here are suggestions to motivate students to learn and love English:
SCHOOLS should conduct English programmes throughout the year targeting lower and upper secondary students.
A simple programme — like learn a word a day, or learn an idiom or a proverb a week — should be carried out.
Students should be encouraged to sing, act, recite a poem or perform choral reading or speaking in English during celebrations, Teachers Day, Mothers Day, National Day and school anniversary.
These shows will expose students to English words and ideas they may apply in their speaking and written tests. In addition, students should be trained as bilingual masters of ceremony during the school assembly or other events in school.
Partnership programmes — such as English camps, courses and carnivals between rural and urban schools — may yield positive results.
Students can mingle and share tips and techniques to improve English proficiency. These mentoring and peer-coaching approaches will break boundaries between students with different backgrounds, interests, races and religions.
ENGLISH teachers, meanwhile, should make sure that the programmes proceed smoothly.
Other teachers and parents should be involved as committee members who give moral or financial support, or lend a helping hand during the process to make this shared effort a success.
English activities may be carried out under Nadi Ilmu Amalan Membaca and “Upholding Bahasa Malaysia and Strengthening the English Language” programmes in schools.
Magazines and newspaper in education enrich students’ vocabulary, expose them to current issues and provide ideas for essays.
Make English students’ new best friend, not their No. 1 enemy.
MUHAMMAD SOLAHUDIN RAMLI
Marang, Terengganu