But, the best way to teach English in schools is to teach it as a second language. Teaching English to non-native speakers by non-native speaking teachers, as is the case in Malaysia, can be challenging. The most obvious reason is the success stories of Japan and China, which implemented teaching and learning of Science and Mathematics in their mother tongue. The failure could be traced to two international rankings — the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) for eighth-grade students, and the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) for 15-year-old students. That is why the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation recommends teaching Science and Mathematics in the mother tongue or national language.

Source: New Strait Times May 30, 2018 02:26 UTC