Meet My Students I
I have had two class meetings and read the first set of papers. The students wrote about a policy problem that interested them. Two papers were unique to Malaysia. One addressed the requirement that math & science courses be taught in English. This is apparently a hot topic. The requirement was introduced in 2001. A decision whether to continue it will be made in November. Earlier today a colleague explained to me the language policies in the schools. Currently elementary schools may teach in Malay, Chinese, or Tamil, but only the Malay schools are fully funded. Secondary courses are taught in Malay except one course in English and in "Chinese" school one course in Chinese. (My colleague was in school prior to the English for science & math requirement.) The other uniquely Malaysian paper was on the ethnic quotas used to award scholarships. (When I came to Malaysian in 1974 the nation had just implemented its policy to have schools convert to Malay-medium so that everyone spoke the same language.)
The other papers addressed more universal issues. One sought more customer friendly banking policies, anther complained about civil servants who refused to work overtime. There was one on traffic on the Penang Bridge (by all accounts it is a nightmare). Other topics included: increasing maternity leave in the private sector (to make it comparable to the public sector); modernizing health facilities; combating the increased cost of living and fuel prices; illegal immigration.
For the most part the English was reasonably good and clear. I had two papers that mystified me - so I don't know if the course will work out for them. The major difference from US papers were remarks about government and the competence of government employees. The students remarks were far more pointed and openly critical. Sometimes in class discussions it is hard to get past what they think of the government.
The other papers addressed more universal issues. One sought more customer friendly banking policies, anther complained about civil servants who refused to work overtime. There was one on traffic on the Penang Bridge (by all accounts it is a nightmare). Other topics included: increasing maternity leave in the private sector (to make it comparable to the public sector); modernizing health facilities; combating the increased cost of living and fuel prices; illegal immigration.
For the most part the English was reasonably good and clear. I had two papers that mystified me - so I don't know if the course will work out for them. The major difference from US papers were remarks about government and the competence of government employees. The students remarks were far more pointed and openly critical. Sometimes in class discussions it is hard to get past what they think of the government.
posted by Liz at
4:23 PM
1 Comments:
A comment upon the apparent dispositon of students in Malaysia to be openly critical of their government. In American society we pride ourselves on openness. We idealize participation. Yet, we are often characterized as non involved and passive in our views of government. What prompts the apparent Is the critical nature of the Malay student restricted to classroom banter - or is it evidenced further through active participation in politicized processes of both participation and protest. American students, when prompted by an appropriate stimulus, will also evidence discontent and criticism. Activism is, however, far less evident.
By
John Mandeville, At
July 17, 2008 at 11:42 PM
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