|  ‘Science is a systematic method to acquire knowledge. Learning by heart the English vocabulary that describes scientific facts does not lead to success.'
On Language policy: 'Malaysia will stagnate'
Lian Wee Ler: I would like to offer my opinion on the topic of teaching maths and science in English. My first language is Mandarin Chinese, and I completed my primary and secondary education in a Mandarin language school.
I have obtained a Bachelor's degree and am pursuing a PhD in biochemistry at an English language university in Canada. Here are my views:
1. Learning in English is not a prerequisite for success in science. Science is a systematic method to acquire knowledge. Learning by heart the English vocabulary that describes scientific facts does not lead to success.
Success depends on an understanding of the scientific method, creative thinking, and passion in scientific pursuit.
2. Although knowing English helps us understand the latest scientific publications, at the primary and secondary school levels, what we learn is not exactly the latest.
In primary and secondary schools, we learn all the well-established scientific facts and scientific methods; and the vocabulary required for this is available in all major languages, including Bahasa Melayu.
3. Returning to the topic of achieving success in science, most Malaysian students do not speak English as their mother tongue and I barely passed the language when I first started to learn it in school.
Learning maths and science in English must be hard for most of our youngsters. Making maths and science difficult is not the way to cultivate interest among children in these subjects.
4. Will teachers in our schools, though well-trained, have the ability to effectively teach these two subjects in English? If not, I fail to see the reason why we should educate our children ‘ineffectively'.
5. Finally, guess what? My broken English does not hinder me from pursuing science in an English-medium higher learning institution.
In fact, in my laboratory, the majority of the PhD candidates and post-doctoral fellows don't speak English as their first language.
Neither did they learn science and maths in English while in primary and secondary schools. I speak better English than my professor and we understand each other just fine.
In conclusion, English proficiency is not a guarantee for success in science. Language is a skill, which can be obtained by hard work; but for many people, it is a mission impossible.
Maths and science should be taught in the mother tongue or in Bahasa Melayu. We should ensure that we won't deny our students the opportunity to obtain sufficient knowledge in maths and science, especially for those who will never be proficient in English. | 
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