Comments for The Stretford End http://zaidhakim.wordpress.com Where rants are welcomed. Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:30:39 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Teaching Maths and Science in English ≠ Better English by Leyla Evren http://zaidhakim.wordpress.com/2009/07/08/teaching-maths-and-science-in-english-%e2%89%a0-better-english/#comment-124 Leyla Evren Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:30:39 +0000 http://zaidhakim.wordpress.com/?p=134#comment-124 I fully agree with the author. Science and math education in English is little help towards sharpening language skills. I happened to have math and science in English. My teachers used to struggle expressing themselves in English and whenever they weren't able to, they used to revert back to Turkish. The only advantage was being familiar with science and math terminology in English. This heplped when I continued in engineering in a university where the medium was English. I also agree with the author that reading is extremely important. 30 years ago, when I started learning English, books were terribly expensive in Turkey. Today, things are much better in that respect. Further, we have the internet and there are lots things that you might find interesting and read. Unfortunately, all I could find was novels by Charles Dickens which left my English crippled ;) By the way, I read blogs by Malaysians and Indonesian. I find your language skills impressive. I think your language education system is doing a great job. I fully agree with the author. Science and math education in English is little help towards sharpening language skills. I happened to have math and science in English. My teachers used to struggle expressing themselves in English and whenever they weren’t able to, they used to revert back to Turkish. The only advantage was being familiar with science and math terminology in English. This heplped when I continued in engineering in a university where the medium was English.
I also agree with the author that reading is extremely important. 30 years ago, when I started learning English, books were terribly expensive in Turkey. Today, things are much better in that respect. Further, we have the internet and there are lots things that you might find interesting and read. Unfortunately, all I could find was novels by Charles Dickens which left my English crippled ;)
By the way, I read blogs by Malaysians and Indonesian. I find your language skills impressive. I think your language education system is doing a great job.

]]> Comment on About by Nor Intan Saniah Sulaiman http://zaidhakim.wordpress.com/about/#comment-120 Nor Intan Saniah Sulaiman Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:45:36 +0000 #comment-120 salam adik zaid, boleh adik zaid hubungi saya melalui email di atas.sekian terima kasih. salam adik zaid,

boleh adik zaid hubungi saya melalui email di atas.sekian terima kasih.

]]> Comment on About by nieta http://zaidhakim.wordpress.com/about/#comment-119 nieta Tue, 25 Aug 2009 11:04:19 +0000 #comment-119 Hi Zaid... I want to know u... Hi Zaid… I want to know u…

]]> Comment on Teaching Maths and Science in English ≠ Better English by Zaatil http://zaidhakim.wordpress.com/2009/07/08/teaching-maths-and-science-in-english-%e2%89%a0-better-english/#comment-118 Zaatil Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:00:48 +0000 http://zaidhakim.wordpress.com/?p=134#comment-118 I agree with Jannah that the implementation should be changed. Whether the policy was introduced to improve English or give students a head start in science-based knowledge, it is insufficient to apply the policy without supporting the students, teachers and system in various aspects. I think starting the program for those in Darjah Satu (like Yatie's sister) is a great idea as the students start off with English from the first day of school. But for those who start learning Science an Math in English from secondary school, there are a lot of other things to be considered. I taught Chemistry and Mathematics in a relatively good (admission of mostly UPSR 5A students and PMR > 5A) secondary school in Kuala Terengganu. I am not trying to show off, but only after I taught these students did they say they started understanding the concepts of the subjects. Why? Because their English was poor in general due to their English teachers' (sejak Darjah Satu) inadequate mastery of English and also masalah cikgu Science subjects takleh nak explain concepts in English because the teachers pun tak faham sangat. I am sure the results after many years would be great if we were to implement this policy in children from a young age, but for the generations yang terpaksa 'dikorbankan' for the sake of experimentation, who will be responsible for their future? One way to encourage better English among our youth is by making books more affordable and available. Terengganu, for example, doesn't have a Borders/MPH/Popular/Kinokuniya; it only has Pustaka Seri Intan (and a few other book stores) that sells (apart from revision books) buku2 Ahadiat Akasyah dan yang sewaktu dengannya. I agree with Jannah that the implementation should be changed. Whether the policy was introduced to improve English or give students a head start in science-based knowledge, it is insufficient to apply the policy without supporting the students, teachers and system in various aspects.

I think starting the program for those in Darjah Satu (like Yatie’s sister) is a great idea as the students start off with English from the first day of school. But for those who start learning Science an Math in English from secondary school, there are a lot of other things to be considered.

I taught Chemistry and Mathematics in a relatively good (admission of mostly UPSR 5A students and PMR > 5A) secondary school in Kuala Terengganu. I am not trying to show off, but only after I taught these students did they say they started understanding the concepts of the subjects. Why? Because their English was poor in general due to their English teachers’ (sejak Darjah Satu) inadequate mastery of English and also masalah cikgu Science subjects takleh nak explain concepts in English because the teachers pun tak faham sangat.

I am sure the results after many years would be great if we were to implement this policy in children from a young age, but for the generations yang terpaksa ‘dikorbankan’ for the sake of experimentation, who will be responsible for their future?

One way to encourage better English among our youth is by making books more affordable and available. Terengganu, for example, doesn’t have a Borders/MPH/Popular/Kinokuniya; it only has Pustaka Seri Intan (and a few other book stores) that sells (apart from revision books) buku2 Ahadiat Akasyah dan yang sewaktu dengannya.

]]> Comment on Teaching Maths and Science in English ≠ Better English by yatie http://zaidhakim.wordpress.com/2009/07/08/teaching-maths-and-science-in-english-%e2%89%a0-better-english/#comment-115 yatie Mon, 03 Aug 2009 03:25:56 +0000 http://zaidhakim.wordpress.com/?p=134#comment-115 zaid.. (dunno if u stil remember me or not) yatie xmo nak berbahas panjang2 pasal visi misi wutsoever cuma nk cerita dr segi experience. ni kisah 1985 - 2009 i bet u notice how poor my english aite? dari kecik i tried to learn english baca paper english, pegi tuisyen blajar english.. hr2 kat skolah blajar english, pg kolej smpai english teacher ckp 'awak ni mmg x pndai english', tgk tv citer english tp x pndai2 tambah2 dgn environment ppl kat cni x ckp english. nak ckp english tp nk ckp ngn spe? pokok?mind us we are eastcoasters. but im stil learning. medical book medium english pg mane2 pon smue speaking. alhamdulliah sedikit sebanyak da improve n smpai hr nih masih survive. kisah 1997 - 2009 puji pada Tuhan adik yatie sekarang da standard 6. dari st. 1 - st. 6 dia bljr sc. n maths medium english. walaupun grammar n stuff she learnt from subj. english, tapi sc, maths (mind my YM language) giler tlong improve eng dia. n OMG she speaks eng while doing h/works wit her frens. bukan stakat tu, self confidence die, even nk buat h'work pun die google internet cari bhn2.. semua english. smua org kerja keras untuk blajar english tmasuk la cikgu cikgi. n its a gud thing aite? we r not like most families yg zaid knal esp westcoasters dkt rumah medium english. w/pun blajar sc, mths guna medium english, Bahasa Malaysia dia takde pun terganggu mcm yg ditakut2kan sgt pakar bahasa kita? n i bet kwn2 dia pun sama.. i wish n i pray my sis x yah laaa nak kena hina2 lagi dgn cikgu/lecturer like me in those days. tp ape jadik? english in sc n maths da dimansuhkan balk.. arghhh!!! (hari2 kena tadah telinga dgr my mum yg x reti langsung ckp english membebel pasal english in sc n maths dimansuhkan) - ur x classmate - zaid.. (dunno if u stil remember me or not)

yatie xmo nak berbahas panjang2 pasal visi misi wutsoever cuma nk cerita dr segi experience.

ni kisah 1985 – 2009
i bet u notice how poor my english aite? dari kecik i tried to learn english baca paper english, pegi tuisyen blajar english.. hr2 kat skolah blajar english, pg kolej smpai english teacher ckp ‘awak ni mmg x pndai english’, tgk tv citer english tp x pndai2 tambah2 dgn environment ppl kat cni x ckp english. nak ckp english tp nk ckp ngn spe? pokok?mind us we are eastcoasters.

but im stil learning. medical book medium english pg mane2 pon smue speaking. alhamdulliah sedikit sebanyak da improve n smpai hr nih masih survive.

kisah 1997 – 2009
puji pada Tuhan adik yatie sekarang da standard 6. dari st. 1 – st. 6 dia bljr sc. n maths medium english. walaupun grammar n stuff she learnt from subj. english, tapi sc, maths (mind my YM language) giler tlong improve eng dia. n OMG she speaks eng while doing h/works wit her frens. bukan stakat tu, self confidence die, even nk buat h’work pun die google internet cari bhn2.. semua english. smua org kerja keras untuk blajar english tmasuk la cikgu cikgi. n its a gud thing aite? we r not like most families yg zaid knal esp westcoasters dkt rumah medium english.

w/pun blajar sc, mths guna medium english, Bahasa Malaysia dia takde pun terganggu mcm yg ditakut2kan sgt pakar bahasa kita? n i bet kwn2 dia pun sama..

i wish n i pray my sis x yah laaa nak kena hina2 lagi dgn cikgu/lecturer like me in those days.

tp ape jadik? english in sc n maths da dimansuhkan balk..

arghhh!!! (hari2 kena tadah telinga dgr my mum yg x reti langsung ckp english membebel pasal english in sc n maths dimansuhkan)

- ur x classmate -

]]> Comment on 8 random things about myself. by zaidhakim http://zaidhakim.wordpress.com/2008/02/15/8-random-things-about-myself/#comment-110 zaidhakim Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:08:47 +0000 http://zaidhakim.wordpress.com/?p=22#comment-110 Thanks :) Thanks :)

]]> Comment on 8 random things about myself. by Hanim Azira http://zaidhakim.wordpress.com/2008/02/15/8-random-things-about-myself/#comment-109 Hanim Azira Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:03:14 +0000 http://zaidhakim.wordpress.com/?p=22#comment-109 Dear Zaid Just came across ur blog and found this entry... Well just want to say, that we are same for no 1,2,3,4,5,6 and 8.... heheheheh....i suke cempedak goreng...klu cempedak fresh...i geli....hahhahaha keep blogging Dear Zaid

Just came across ur blog and found this entry…

Well just want to say, that we are same for no 1,2,3,4,5,6 and 8….

heheheheh….i suke cempedak goreng…klu cempedak fresh…i geli….hahhahaha

keep blogging

]]> Comment on Let’s all be dentists! by Jannah http://zaidhakim.wordpress.com/2009/07/06/lets-all-be-dentists/#comment-108 Jannah Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:12:52 +0000 http://zaidhakim.wordpress.com/?p=129#comment-108 Sometimes I pity jugak orang-orang yang berkuasa nih (in no way am I saying that Khir Toyo is innocent or guilty), because if they own a massive property jer, mesti sume orang assume that it was corruption or something. Sometimes, they are innocent.. Sometimes I pity jugak orang-orang yang berkuasa nih (in no way am I saying that Khir Toyo is innocent or guilty), because if they own a massive property jer, mesti sume orang assume that it was corruption or something. Sometimes, they are innocent..

]]> Comment on Teaching Maths and Science in English ≠ Better English by Jannah http://zaidhakim.wordpress.com/2009/07/08/teaching-maths-and-science-in-english-%e2%89%a0-better-english/#comment-107 Jannah Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:05:39 +0000 http://zaidhakim.wordpress.com/?p=134#comment-107 I think most people are missing the point. According to Tun Mahathir (the person who made the policy in the first place), the main objective was not to improve their English per se, it was to give the younger generation a headstart in their science and technology education. Improving their English was just a bonus point. While I do agree that implementing the policy may have been doubtful in the first place, in doesn't change the fact that it has been implemented. Therefore I was quite disappointed that the government REVERSED the decision after all the work and money that had been spent on it. I totally agree with what Tun Mahathir said after Tan Sri Muhiyyidin made the decision, "Change the implementation, not the policy itself". Its like taking a step back after making two steps forward. I personally think 6 years is not enough to judge the results of a policy that is meant to bring a change in the long run. Sadly, in the end, these kids suffer as they become the guinea pigs I think most people are missing the point.

According to Tun Mahathir (the person who made the policy in the first place), the main objective was not to improve their English per se, it was to give the younger generation a headstart in their science and technology education. Improving their English was just a bonus point.

While I do agree that implementing the policy may have been doubtful in the first place, in doesn’t change the fact that it has been implemented. Therefore I was quite disappointed that the government REVERSED the decision after all the work and money that had been spent on it. I totally agree with what Tun Mahathir said after Tan Sri Muhiyyidin made the decision, “Change the implementation, not the policy itself”. Its like taking a step back after making two steps forward. I personally think 6 years is not enough to judge the results of a policy that is meant to bring a change in the long run.

Sadly, in the end, these kids suffer as they become the guinea pigs

]]> Comment on Teaching Maths and Science in English ≠ Better English by Manek Urai People http://zaidhakim.wordpress.com/2009/07/08/teaching-maths-and-science-in-english-%e2%89%a0-better-english/#comment-106 Manek Urai People Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:37:08 +0000 http://zaidhakim.wordpress.com/?p=134#comment-106 Begitu obvious bangsa yang sibuk menentang PPSMI ni adalah orang melayu...Bangsa lain senyap jer...baca news baru-baru ni MCA merayu PPSMI diteruskan di sekolah menengah...betapa dorg memikirkan masa depan anak2 mereka...pas & umno sibuk survival masing2 dari memikirkan anak bangsa.... Nampak sangat perangai orang melayu ni sejak berkurun-kurun tak berubah...semua nak senang...memang la benda yang baru, memang susah nak nampak hasil positif dalam jangka masa pendek...kalau diberi pilihan untuk drop sains & math pun dorang bila-bila masa sudi asalkan senang belajar...tapi apa akan jadi pada masa depan negara??? Agak-agaknya kalo ribuan anak melayu menganggur tak dapat keja akibat lemah dalam English....ada pejuang2 bahasa tu nak berarak kt tepi jalan pertahan mereka??? A. Samad Said kata bahasa melayu, patut juga diperkuatkan di Universiti, tapi dia sendiri hantar anak kat universiti omputih (US)?...anak dia belajar dalam bahasa English takpe anak orang lain dinafikan?...hipokrit giler...takut novel-novel melayu dia tak terjual ke? Begitu obvious bangsa yang sibuk menentang PPSMI ni adalah orang melayu…Bangsa lain senyap jer…baca news baru-baru ni MCA merayu PPSMI diteruskan di sekolah menengah…betapa dorg memikirkan masa depan anak2 mereka…pas & umno sibuk survival masing2 dari memikirkan anak bangsa….

Nampak sangat perangai orang melayu ni sejak berkurun-kurun tak berubah…semua nak senang…memang la benda yang baru, memang susah nak nampak hasil positif dalam jangka masa pendek…kalau diberi pilihan untuk drop sains & math pun dorang bila-bila masa sudi asalkan senang belajar…tapi apa akan jadi pada masa depan negara???

Agak-agaknya kalo ribuan anak melayu menganggur tak dapat keja akibat lemah dalam English….ada pejuang2 bahasa tu nak berarak kt tepi jalan pertahan mereka???

A. Samad Said kata bahasa melayu, patut juga diperkuatkan di Universiti, tapi dia sendiri hantar anak kat universiti omputih (US)?…anak dia belajar dalam bahasa English takpe anak orang lain dinafikan?…hipokrit giler…takut novel-novel melayu dia tak terjual ke?

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