Once, my friend told me his English teacher in school taught English using Bahasa Melayu. The teacher spoke Bahasa Melayu in the whole class. He translated all the verbs, noun etc into Bahasa Melayu so that the students could understand better. He even explained grammar in Bahasa Melayu. He asking question in Bahasa Melayu and students answered him in Bahasa Melayu. Do you really think that the good method to teach English?
My friends came from kampung and everybody in the area not so familiar with English (that was in the 80's. Maybe it different nowadays). In the environment that very difficult to hear people speak in English, and yet 30minutes of English class did not use English as communication language. I wonder, when and where did the students have chances to apply their English? Was the subject only been taught so that students pass their examination? What did the teacher think of English subject? Or was it the teaching method approved by Education Ministry?
If that the teaching method, I am not surprise when I read on newspaper that many of our graduates unable to communicate in English fluently today. They did not use the language in class, and I don't think they used it outside class neither. This is one of the main factors contribute to their lack of confidence to communicate in English.
I do not say the students might not get A for their English paper. They might get A and very good in writing but I doubt if they could speak fluently in English. The basic to master a language, we need to use it as often as possible. New vocabulary demands us to pronounce it in correct pronounciation. Study languages requires us to hear, say and write in the languages. Only by doing these, we are able to major the languages.
People might ask
1. Why we need to convince ourselves only by mastering English Language we are able to grab the chances and oppurtunities in this world?'
2. Can't we be developed country by Bahasa Melayu only?
3. Look at Japan, English not compulsary.
I have no answer for these questions. My experienced shown me that all my books in university were in English, my lecturers were from Iraq, Iran, Kuwait etc- they spoke English, exam papers were written in both languages - but if I read the question in Bahasa Melayu- I might fail the paper (the translation made me headache). After graduated, resume must be written in English, I was interviewed in English. When I got the job, in meeting people spoke in English, report written in English. Emails, memo etc all in English.
I am not pro-English but I think Malaysia not ready to survive in Bahasa Melayu. To all the 'pejuang Bahasa Melayu' and intellects, they need to work hard to prepare Malaysia for this aim and mission. Stop all the 'perhimpunan awam memperjuangkan Bahasa Melayu', or collecting memorundum etc but focus in preparing the language to be used by Malaysian in all sectors and fields. Till that, stop all the words pro-Bahasa Melayu, if you not even doing anything to improve it. Be prepared first, then demand later. Not otherwise.
Just a question:
Is the same situation with my friend's English class happen nowaday?
