Science in English has been removed from my girl’s timetable and replaced by English periods. Maths in English is still being taught at this point of time.
At first, I thought I am happy that at last the kids do not have to study the Maths and Science in two languages in school thus reducing their workload. To me, although I preferred the subjects to be taught in English, having it taught in just Mandarin was better than having it taught in two languages both at the same time and having to sit for two sets of tests. However, on hindsight, I think that it has been a good thing.
Although their workloads and bag loads were heavier with the two subjects being taught in two languages, it allowed me to teach my girl the two subjects easily. I taught her in English and then we translated the terms to Mandarin. It was good that way because she thinks in English. Some of the workbooks were bilingual too so it was useful.
I hope that now that the two subjects will no longer be taught in English, those bilingual books will not go too because I find them really useful. It is harder to learn the subjects directly in Mandarin. It was easier for us to learn the concepts in English and then translate the terms into Chinese. Now it will be harder for me to teach my kids. 🙁
My kid’s school not yet worrr. Is this a nationwide thingy?
By 2012 kids entering school are supposed to learn both Math and Science in mother tongue only, no more in English. I don’t know how each school will implement this whether they will continue till 2012 or as in my girl’s case scrap it immediately. They are still being taught Math in Eng at the moment but Science in English has been replaced by English lessons.
Let’s go grab some science & maths books in bilingual before they took them away in the bookstore…. orrr we can go later and get better bargain??? hmmm…
It’s a good thing that they cut one away. I on the other hand, preferred it to be taught in Mandarin so that they can learn mandarin thoroughly. Another reason is that in chinese school, the teachers teach better in Mandarin. Even the book is in English, they will do all explaination in Mandarin, in the end…capalang language jugak, neither here not there. This is my personal view lar.
Downside is, they have to switch to BM when enter secondary school…sigh…
Annie, Yah lor, so many issues. In secondary school have to switch to BM. I totally agree with you that the teachers teach better in Mandarin. (Accept I teach better in English mah. Hahaha. I could not teach it without the help of the English terms and books.) In fact, even before the policy reversal, they were never that keen in teaching it in English. I had the impression it was given very low priority. As I mentioned in FB, tests for those subjects in English were never formally included in the tests timetable. They were given much later whenever there is time as if given as an afterthought and obviously very low in priority to the teachers and school.
Wow so fast they scrapped Science in English. I hope they will continue to teach Science in English for my children in their school. I don’t mind if they do it in both BM and English. 🙂
Yah, so fast scrapped. By the time my boy enters school next year, he will no longer be learning the subjects in English. 🙁