English Language as a Medium of Instruction for Science and Mathematics in Malaysia

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Nowadays English was an international language, it was widely used; it was not just for education purpose, but was gradually spread in other sectors, especially in the economic sector. On 6th May 2002, the then Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir announced that government willing to reintroduce English as a medium of instruction. And on 11th May 2002, the then Education Minister Musa Mohamad established a bilingual system that set up with English used for teaching science and mathematics (Tan, 2005, p. 50).

Before this announcement was made, the Education Art 1996 stipulate the national language (Malay language) shall be the main medium of instruction in all educational institutions under the National Education System except for national-type school or any other educational institution exempted by the Minister from this subsection (2006, p. 23). After this announcement was made, students from primary and secondary schools are expected to learn Science and Mathematics in English. This might create uncertainties for students on the usage of English as a medium to learn Science and Mathematics.

According to the Ministry of Education (n.d.), the main purpose of reintroduce English as the medium of instruction was to enhance their abilities and adaptation of language skills of students and teachers through Mathematics and Science. Moreover, through this it will help and encourage students to develop their language competence to a higher level. With this it will help students to gain engender optimal performance in and outside the classroom. This so because most of the information of Science knowledge was written in English. Zahih Zakaria, & Mohd Sallehhudin Abd Aziz (2011) said, “This change in policy was deemed necessary to ensure tha...

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...ik dan Pendidikan, Jil. 23 , 142. Retrieved from http://web.usm.my/education/publication/MATHS%20AND%20SCIENCE%20IN%20ENGLISH_abstract.pdf

Tan, P. K. W. (2005). The medium-of-instruction debate. - English as a Malaysian language? Language Problems & Language Planning , 50. Retrieved from http://www.factworld.info/malaysia/news/debate.pdf

Tan, Y. S. (2007). ATTITUDES AND ACHIEVEMENT ORIENTATIONS OF STUDENTS TOWARDS LEARNING OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS IN ENGLISH. Kajian Malaysia, Jld. XXV, No. 1 , 23. Retrieved from http://web.usm.my/km/25(1)2007/KM%20ART%2025(1)_2.pdf

Zahih Zakaria, & Mohd Sallehhudin Abd Aziz. (January, 2011). Assessing Students Performance: The Second Language (English Language) Factor. The International Journal of Educational and Psychological Assessment , Vol. 6, 43. Retrieved from http://tijepa.books.officelive.com/Documents/A4V6.2_TIJEPA.pdf

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