THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE SYLLABUS FOR THE YEAR 2000 AND BEYOND

Abstract

This paper discusses the results of a study conducted to assess the attitudes of English (ESL) secondary school teachers in the state of Selangor towards the different aspects of the KBSM English Language syllabus. The purpose of this study was to determine which aspects of the syllabus the teachers favour and which they do not, so that suggestions could be made for the improvement of the English language programme.

The subjects for this study were randomly selected from a complete and current listing of all the English teachers teaching in the state of Selangor, and a self-developed questionnaire was used to assess their views towards the different aspects of the KBSM English Syllabus. Of the 600 questionnaires sent, 435 were returned but only 419 were usable for the study, representing a return rate of 70%.

This paper discusses the views of the teachers and the issues they raised. It also raises several questions as to what should be the most important focus for the Malaysian English language syllabus in view of the importance of English for the acquisition of knowledge. The implications of the study are discussed and several recommendations for policy makers made.