ETEMS

TEACHING AND LEARNING OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS IN ENGLISH


Introduction
The Teaching and Learning of Science and Mathematics in English has been entrenched as a government policy as a result of the special meeting of the Cabinet on 19th July 2002. Its implementation has been in stages, beginning with the 2003 school year with the Year 1 pupils in Primary School and Form 1 and Lower 6 students in Secondary Schools as pioneers. It was fully implemented in 2007 for Secondary Schools and 2008 for Primary Schools.

The rationale of changing the medium from Bahasa Malaysia to English in the teaching and learning of Science and Mathematics is due to the government’s concern with the need to develop human capital in line with the objective of achieving developed nation status. In order to compete globally, preparation should begin in the early schooling stages. It is generally accepted that Science and Mathematics are the basis for a nation’s progress. Innovations and discoveries in these fields are rapid and information pertaining to their development is mostly accessible in English.

English is the international language of communication and mastery of it facilitates the acquisition of knowledge in these fields. Therefore, the decision to implement the Teaching and Learning of Science and Mathematics in English is driven by the need to master Science and Mathematics which resources are available mainly in English. In doing so, students will have a better grasp of the English Language

Role of the Textbook Division in the Teaching and Learning of Science and Mathematics in English
The role of the Textbook Division began in 2002 soon after the Cabinet announced that the policy on the Teaching and Learning of Science and Mathematics in English was to be implementation 2003. The Division was assigned with the publication and supply of the Science and Mathematics textbook packages and the Science and Mathematics glossaries for Primary and Secondary schools.

The Textbook Division made several changes to the components of the textbook packages for Science and Mathematics with the objective of assisting teachers and pupils. The components of the Mathematics textbook package for Year 1 include the textbook, the exercises and activity book, the pupil’s CD-ROM (My CD), the teacher’s CD-ROM, and the Teacher’s Guides. All the components are produced in two volumes (Parts 1 and 2) in order to overcome the problem of heavy school bags.

During the first year of implementation (2003) of Teaching and Learning of Science and Mathematics in English, an additional textbook package was supplied to all schools as a one-off supply. The additional textbook packages were used by teachers to implement the teaching and learning of Mathematics in the classroom.
The Textbook Division was also responsible for the publication of the Science and Mathematics glossaries for Primary and Secondary schools as part of the Intervention . Programme , which began in 2005 for the Teaching and Learning of Science and Mathematics in English.

Textbook Packages for Teaching and Learning of Science and Mathematics in English
The Science and Mathematics textbooks supplied to the schools under the Textbook Loan Scheme are in the form of packages. The textbooks have been written based on the requirements and objectives of the Syllabus and the Curriculum Specifications.

The Science and Mathematics textbook packages comprised of several components with each component serving the following general functions :

i) Textbook
The textbook has been prepared as a basic source of knowledge containing the concepts and skills required in learning Science and Mathematics.

ii) Activity Book
The exercises and activity book reinforces the pupils’ understanding of the concepts they have learned from the textbooks. The exercises and activity book provides exercises and activities for the pupils to do. This component of the Science and Mathematics Textbook Package is for Level One only.

iii) Teacher's Guide
This is a reference and guide to assist the teachers in planning and conducting their lessons effectively. It also assists teachers to update and improve their knowledge in Science and Mathematics and to stimulate their creativity in teaching and learning. The guide is a component of the Science and Mathematics textbook package for Level Two and Mathematics textbook package for Year One.

iv) MyCD / Pupil's CD-ROM
The pupil’s CD-ROM reinforces the pupils’ understanding of the concepts in Science and Mathematics through multimedia presentations. The contents of My-CDs include interactive exercises and activities, games, simulations and e-tests.

v) Teacher's CD-ROM
This is to assist the teachers in planning and conducting the teaching and learning of Science and Mathematics. The contents include teaching and learning strategies, a question bank, additional activities and a list of relevant URLs for Science and Mathematics education. It is a component of the Science and Mathematics textbook package for Level One only.

vi) Science Practical Book
The Science Practical book is produced to ensure that Science is taught as a practical and not merely as a theoretical subject. The thinking and creativity of the pupils can be developed through practical lessons which will arouse their interest in Science. It is a component of the Science textbook package for Secondary Schools and Level Two of Primary Schools.

Glossaries
The Science and Mathematics glossaries are a reference for teachers and pupils and provide definitions of the terms.
Introduction
Ministry of Education through Text Books Division have provided six glossaries books which are:
i. Glossary for Science Primary School
ii. Glossary for Mathematics Primary School
iii. Glossary for Science Form 1 to Form 3
iv. Glossary for Mathematics Form 1 to Form 3
v. Glossary for Science Form 4 and Form 5
vi. Glossary for Mathematics Form 4 and Form 5

The Publications of glossaries for Science and Mathematics for Primary School and Secondary School is a part of the Teaching and Learning of Science and Mathematics in English Programme (PPSMI).

This is to provide assistance and help to the Science and Mathematics teachers to understand and master the Science and Mathematics subjects in English. It is also a following effort after the publication of the Science and Mathematics books in English.

The supply of Glossaries to schools is a ‘one-off’ practice. The schools authorities and pupils can also purchase the book in the open market.

Each school is supplied with 30 copies of glossaries for each subject, where 10 copies are for teachers’ references while 20 copies are to be placed in the school library for pupils reference.

The teachers’ copies are to be managed by the schools’ Science and Mathematics Panel. While the library copies are to be managed by the Schools’ library board. Pupils are allowed to borrow these glossaries.