LETTERS: The Dual Language Programme (DLP) has drawn praise as well as reservations from stakeholders.
Let's consider some inconvenient realities, starting with trainee teachers, recruited mainly from Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia holders.
They have gone through their secondary education with Bahasa Malaysia as the main medium of instruction, which means a lack of teachers who can teach in English.
SPM results have shown that the English proficiency of candidates is in need of improvement. The few trainee teachers with distinctions in English will choose to teach the English Language subject rather than teaching Science and Maths in English.
Some teachers who lack proficiency in English but are tasked with conducting DLP classes tend to resort to BM and reserve the use of English for scientific and mathematical terms only. Is this a dual-language approach or a twist to DLP?
It is argued that Science and Maths lessons in English will increase the students' "immersion" in or exposure to the language, thereby improving proficiency. By the same argument, not teaching Science and Maths in BM will decrease students' "immersion" in and exposure to BM.
Besides, with some subjects taught in BM and others in English, it may be confusing to students.
Next, a good command of language — BM or English — is necessary to master any subject. Technical terms in another language — be it English, French or Mandarin — can be picked up subsequently.
Based on the above deliberations, DLP is not sustainable and has become a strain on the Education Ministry's resources. Focus instead on improving the teaching and learning of English as a language subject.
Increase the number of English classes per week in primary and secondary schools. Intensify the content of the English syllabus. Make it compulsory to pass or earn a credit in SPM English.
Let English teachers teach English. Let the Science and Maths teachers focus on helping students master the subjects rather than competency in English. In secondary schools, go back to teaching all subjects in BM. It can be confusing for students to learn some subjects in BM and some in English.
If students have a good command of the language through their English lessons, the rest will fall into place when they are in tertiary institutions.
LIONG KAM CHONG
Seremban, Negri Sembilan
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times