Context for Teaching English: An Introduction

Introduction

English is taught as a secondary language in all Malaysian primary and secondary school in line with its status as a second language. Learners are taught the English language to further their studies and for work purpose.

With globalization, all Malaysians are required to be proficient in English as a medium for communicating with people from other countries. The use of English in ICT has been included to enable learners to access knowledge on the Internet and to network with people both locally and overseas.

Contexts Used in Teaching English Language in School

In Malaysian public school, English syllabus is developed with aim to extend learners’ English language proficiency in order to meet their needs for English in everyday life, for knowledge acquisition, and for future workplace needs.

The syllabus comprises of themes and topics stipulated for the subject English Language. Below are the themes that should be used in teaching and learning process:

1. People
2. Environment
3. Social Issue
4. Values
5. Health
6. Science & Technology

Some of these have been delineated into further areas to enable learners to talk, read, and write about them.

Learners are not expected to have a comprehensive academic knowledge of these topics. Rather, these topics serve as the subject matter through which the three areas of language use are taught and meaningful tasks and activities are set.

Since values are embedded in these themes and topics, teachers should take every opportunity to discuss socio-cultural and moral values related to them as well as in the functions and activities that are set.