The Use of English in Teaching Mathematics and Science: The PPSMI Policy vis-à-vis The DLP

Oct 15, 2026

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Despite English being widely regarded in Malaysia, it is still treated as a foreign language. This study examines how the Dual Language Programme (DLP), using English to teach Mathematics and Science, relates to the earlier PPSMI policy. Using questionnaire data from 50 pre-service teachers, results show predominantly unfavourable perceptions of PPSMI. These perceptions are used to justify the emergence of DLP, while implications and directions for future research are discussed.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

English proficiency and national progress

PPSMI policy: implementation goals and public reactions

Transition to DLP and ongoing debates

Advances in Language and Literary Studies ISSN: 2203-4714 Vol. 8 No. 1; February 2017 Australian International Academic Centre, Australia | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | Flourishing Creativity & Literacy | | | The Use of English in Teaching Mathematics and Science: The PPSMI Policy vis-à-vis The DLP Melor Md Yunus Faculty of Education, The National University of Malaysia (UKM), Malaysia [E-mail: melor@ukm.edu.my](E-mail: melor@ukm.edu.my) Saiful Islam Ahmad Sukri (Corresponding author) Faculty of Education, The National University of Malaysia (UKM), Malaysia E-mail: [saifulislamahmadsukri@yahoo.com](saifulislamahmadsukri@yahoo.com) Doi:10 .7575/aiac.alls.v. 8n. 1p.133 URL: [http://dx.doi.org/10.7575/aiac.alls.v.8n.1p.133](http://dx.doi.org/10.7575/aiac.alls.v.8n.1p.133) Received: 11/10/2016 Accepted: 22/01/2017 Abstract In spite of English being regarded as the second most important language in Malaysia, it is still treated as a foreign language inevitably. The recently introduced Dual Language Progamme (henceforth DLP) which uses English as the medium of instruction in teaching Mathematics and Science is alleged to be a reflection of the less successful English for teaching Mathematics and Science policy (hereafter PPSMI) . Therefore, this paper aims to examine the perceptions of pre-service teachers towards the use of English in teaching Mathematics and Science and establish its connections with the DLP. Data were collected through questionnaire which involved 50 respondents. Findings showed that the respondents held unfavourable perceptions of the PPSMI policy which in turn justified the emergence of the DLP. Implications of the study and suggestions for future research are also discussed. Keywords: English for teaching Mathematics and Science, Dual Language Programme, Education, Educational Policy, Pre-service teachers 1. Introduction In this age and day, individuals who arm themselves with a good command of the English language are likely to enjoy more benefits and privileges than their counterparts who are less proficient in English. This is because mastering English is of paramount importance in helping a nation to progress to its greatest heights and thus, firmly retaining its world-class competitiveness and productivity in the global arena. According to the former Prime Minster of Malaysia, Tun Mahathir Mohamad cited in Joash (2015), the country’s ability to survive and thrive would be in jeopardy if the future generations of Malaysia are not well-versed in English, the language of commerce and trade. Over the course of time, there have been many instances reflecting the immense importance of English. For example, the Japanese manufacturing car company, Honda, after years of its operations across the world, lastly resorts to making English as its corporate lingua franca (Oh, 2015) . Of late, the Sultan of Johor himself has proposed an idea to reintroduce Englishmedium schools on which English becomes the main medium of instruction in subjects deemed to expeditiously impart the content knowledge in English (Killi, 2015; Kok, 2015) . Thereby, the English language is seen as a tool instrumental for the advancement and most importantly for the survival of the country in the nearest future. However, the proficiency of the English language among Malaysians has not seen much improvement since 1970. There have been a number of measures undertaken to address the deterioration in the English language and one of which is the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English policy or known as (PPSMI) . The Education Ministry of Malaysia implemented the aforesaid educational reform in 2003 with the aims of improving students’ command of English and accelerating their mastery in Science and Mathematics. Throughout the implementation of the PPSMI policy, the public have ambivalent attitudes towards it. On one hand, there are people especially the well-educated city dwellers who vie

FAQs

What is the focus of the paper regarding English in Mathematics and Science teaching?

The paper examines the use of English in teaching Mathematics and Science, specifically connecting perceptions of the PPSMI policy to the later Dual Language Programme (DLP).

How were the data collected for the study?

Data were collected through a questionnaire involving 50 respondents, namely pre-service teachers.

What did the findings show about perceptions of PPSMI?

Respondents held unfavourable perceptions of the PPSMI policy, and these views were used to justify the emergence of the DLP.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Cipher