Regarding the English proficiency of students, I was surprised too about that. When I first checked my students' papers, I noticed how poor the grammar of some of these were. And these are college students! In America!
You know the look most Bruneians give to those who speak English fully? And you know how Bruneian attitudes are when they talk to someone who speaks proper English? "Belaing" they say, "English Kapal", they sneer. Most Bruneians do not like to be spoken to in English. I have a feeling that in some parts of the country, it has become a trend that if you speak in English, you're a "wannabe." Or not true to your roots. Which isn't true.
I just think that us Bruneians.. we lack practice.
But maybe it's just me. (I had to comment here pasalnya dang, tagboardmu atu limited! :P)
Linguist-in-Waiting, O'level is a public exam from Cambridge, its full name is Cambridge GCE O'Level. After O's, we proceed on to A'Levels and then to University. Basically, O's are the most important exam in the course of a student's life, it pretty much determines where one is going in the next 10-15 years. I think it is quite similar to the American's SATs.
By the way, yes sometimes I think proper English is actually dying out. Then again, perhaps the term 'proper' is relative.
Tina and Dee, thanks! And Tina, you're not the only one!
I guess I wasn't living up to the spirit of a linguist. When I said the grammar of my students were poor, they were writing a paper, and they were supposed to write in Standard Academic English. They shouldn't write a paper using the English that they use when they talk!
I think I know what linguist-in-waiting meant, about not using proper English grammar and everything else English. :P I remember one of my younger cousins complaining about them not being able to use "wanna" or "coz" in their essays. I tried telling her, but she just couldn't get it, I guess.
Yes that actually might be one of the biggest factors - not being able to (or lack thereof an effort to) distinguish between the street lingo and proper English.
In fact, statistics show a higher passing average for the orals than for the written exam. Perhaps street lingo is accepted during the orals?
I also believe the fact that the early primary years of a student is done in MALAY medium is a huge factor affecting pass rates. Any comments on that?
I think, that during oral exams/tests, 'street lingo' can be confused with proper English. "Wanna" can sound like "want to".
And, YES, I'm surprised that Maths, nowadays, they use Malay as the medium. Funny thing is, it's only up until primary 4. And yes, it does affect pass rates, among other factors.
As Dee pointed out kan, Malay is most Bruneian's mother tongue (is that what they call it? ;)) that could be one of them too.
And, oh, yes. "Kurang budaya membaca". I think that is why my standard Malay is really bad, I don't read Malay books/novels. Like, ever.
Yes I thought having Malay done as the medium and critical communication is a huge set back for the students. After all, we get enough Malay at home and outside school. It is our mother tongue. We express most of our anger, humor, sarcasm and emotions with it.
"Babu, aku mau manisan. Babah, minta duit. Eh kamu, banci ku si anu ah. Sasak ku kau ani eh!"
I suppose its quite a humble idea by Pehin Aziz to have Malay as a medium, to instill pride in our mother tongue. However, I just don't think our economy can allow that to happen just yet. Not yet.
Malaysia has done it. Even with their kind of economy, no matter how self sufficient they are, they are actually admitting to the failure of this system. They made the switch back to English. The high unemployment rates are not worth it.
The other issue- reading. What do you suggest our students read? and Why do you think that is useful? How about those parents who won't let their children read anything other than school books?
I so agree that we need to read more, but the question is, what do the society think of reading?
"Eh jangan dibaca tu buku atu, inda baik, banyak becium."
A lot of people still have that mindset that only textbooks are good to read. How do we increase this awareness of reading?
Tina, it is still warm. The heat, is not on full yet.
8 comments:
What is an O Level?
Regarding the English proficiency of students, I was surprised too about that. When I first checked my students' papers, I noticed how poor the grammar of some of these were. And these are college students! In America!
You know the look most Bruneians give to those who speak English fully? And you know how Bruneian attitudes are when they talk to someone who speaks proper English? "Belaing" they say, "English Kapal", they sneer. Most Bruneians do not like to be spoken to in English. I have a feeling that in some parts of the country, it has become a trend that if you speak in English, you're a "wannabe." Or not true to your roots. Which isn't true.
I just think that us Bruneians.. we lack practice.
But maybe it's just me. (I had to comment here pasalnya dang, tagboardmu atu limited! :P)
Linguist-in-Waiting, O'level is a public exam from Cambridge, its full name is Cambridge GCE O'Level. After O's, we proceed on to A'Levels and then to University. Basically, O's are the most important exam in the course of a student's life, it pretty much determines where one is going in the next 10-15 years. I think it is quite similar to the American's SATs.
By the way, yes sometimes I think proper English is actually dying out. Then again, perhaps the term 'proper' is relative.
Tina and Dee, thanks! And Tina, you're not the only one!
I guess I wasn't living up to the spirit of a linguist. When I said the grammar of my students were poor, they were writing a paper, and they were supposed to write in Standard Academic English. They shouldn't write a paper using the English that they use when they talk!
I think I know what linguist-in-waiting meant, about not using proper English grammar and everything else English. :P I remember one of my younger cousins complaining about them not being able to use "wanna" or "coz" in their essays. I tried telling her, but she just couldn't get it, I guess.
Yes that actually might be one of the biggest factors - not being able to (or lack thereof an effort to) distinguish between the street lingo and proper English.
In fact, statistics show a higher passing average for the orals than for the written exam. Perhaps street lingo is accepted during the orals?
I also believe the fact that the early primary years of a student is done in MALAY medium is a huge factor affecting pass rates. Any comments on that?
I think, that during oral exams/tests, 'street lingo' can be confused with proper English. "Wanna" can sound like "want to".
And, YES, I'm surprised that Maths, nowadays, they use Malay as the medium. Funny thing is, it's only up until primary 4. And yes, it does affect pass rates, among other factors.
As Dee pointed out kan, Malay is most Bruneian's mother tongue (is that what they call it? ;)) that could be one of them too.
And, oh, yes. "Kurang budaya membaca". I think that is why my standard Malay is really bad, I don't read Malay books/novels. Like, ever.
This is a hot topic, Miss Maurina ;)
Yes I thought having Malay done as the medium and critical communication is a huge set back for the students. After all, we get enough Malay at home and outside school. It is our mother tongue. We express most of our anger, humor, sarcasm and emotions with it.
"Babu, aku mau manisan. Babah, minta duit. Eh kamu, banci ku si anu ah. Sasak ku kau ani eh!"
I suppose its quite a humble idea by Pehin Aziz to have Malay as a medium, to instill pride in our mother tongue. However, I just don't think our economy can allow that to happen just yet. Not yet.
Malaysia has done it. Even with their kind of economy, no matter how self sufficient they are, they are actually admitting to the failure of this system. They made the switch back to English. The high unemployment rates are not worth it.
The other issue- reading. What do you suggest our students read? and Why do you think that is useful? How about those parents who won't let their children read anything other than school books?
I so agree that we need to read more, but the question is, what do the society think of reading?
"Eh jangan dibaca tu buku atu, inda baik, banyak becium."
A lot of people still have that mindset that only textbooks are good to read. How do we increase this awareness of reading?
Tina, it is still warm. The heat, is not on full yet.
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