Let me just admit. Whenever I attend a function or dinner, people I meet will ask what I am doing. Given my blessed youthful appearance, thanks to my stringent expensive skincare routine, many assumed I am still a student. When I told them I am a teacher, it is when they would be most surprised. Soon comes their next question, ‘What subject are you teaching?” I know perfectly well my answer will open a floodgate of responses. My response will spark a barrage of comments. True enough the moment I tell them that I am an English teacher, the intellectual discourse starts. I am not against these kinds of talks, but I am aware the people I meet are expecting negative responses about our English education. 

I never like criticizing things in public, especially when I am working on improving the standards of English. However, we need to understand the society is not part of the education system. They assume things based on what they see, read, and experience. Most are from young graduates unable to converse in English or through articles written criticizing our country’s ever-declining level of English proficiency. It is usually the voice of frustration and despair at English mastery among Malaysian students. Therefore, I always try my best to put myself in their shoes and explain what it is like in today’s classroom, which is the total opposite of what people believe. Why am I called to write about this? The answer lies on the front page of The Star newspaper dating 2^nd March 2023.

You may be reading this article later so let me remind you what happened on the 1^st of March. Continuous downpour in several states has caused a massive flood in 10 districts in Johor causing big towns in Johor such as Segamat and Kota Tinggi to be flooded. This is news. Big news although flood is a yearly event. But, what caught me unguarded is that there is BIGGER news to spear the headlines sharing the spotlight of the massive flood on the 2^nd of March 2023. What could it be?

The headline reads as “English mastery matters” whereby the focus was on the Roadmap for English Language Education in Malaysia (2015-2025) to be reassessed as the proficiency in the global language among teachers and students is still below par. I kid you not. Those are the exact words written on the front page of the national newspaper. If you think I am going to criticize the newspaper for publishing that headline, you are wrong. I am happy they actually wrote it. Why? They dedicated a whole Page 5 to educating the public on the English mastery plan in Malaysia. This is a big deal because Page 5 is on the right-hand side of the paper. Given the nature of holding the newspaper high and flipping it, many people will focus more on the right side of the paper rather than the left side. Therefore, the position of the articles on English mastery allocated to a “prime page” is heartwarming for me. It gets better. Wait for it!

The head of the page reported a heart-warming story of a retired English teacher, Lee Seng Fatt who has conducted 86 workshops to date to help children with their English subject. I had tears reading his “Free English-Speaking Workshop” initiative which definitely needed a shoutout. He ain’t an influencer, thus KPM may not take note of his efforts. But I do hope he will be appreciated for his continuous deeds serving the community and not rejecting offers from any schools in Malaysia. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Another article explains in detail what the roadmap is all about and how it is aligned with the global standards, something I usually preach to those who ask me about the standards of English in Malaysia. Kudos to the writers!

Another article on page 5 was written on a positive note to further encourage all parties and stakeholders to take an active part in improving the quality of English in Malaysia. It is very true that it takes a village to raise a child. Ongoing efforts from multiple agencies are in place to help and guide English teachers to improve. The item on the bottom page discussed the Ministry of Education’s commitment to enhancing English language instruction in Malaysia. Having said that, it was a good morning for me despite the cold, dull, and non-stop rain that made me open my laptop and write this article to pen out my thoughts.

Although many would argue that it is only a newsworthy topic with no real solutions in place, it nonetheless offers English teachers a glimmer of hope to continue their hard work in pushing for a change in the classroom. It is never easy. I can write in length about the challenges of teaching English in Malaysian classrooms and the efforts of Malaysian teachers, but let’s save that for another article. I would want to play some Sudoku after I finish reading this newspaper.

Written by The Accidental Teacher