WHY We Need our MUET Band 4?

I came across an article on Facebook and it's regarding English proficiency among Malaysian students' nowadays.

The primary factor is because of the incapable teachers, who tend to speak in their mother tongues with their students, as this is due to the lack of proficiency in mastering English among the teachers themselves. MOST of them.

Article : Lack of trained English teachers the cause

As Mr Hashim Adnan, the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) has said in his interview,

"Most of the teachers have a poor command of the language. How do you expect students to learn English when the teachers do not know the basics of the language?"

I strongly agree with him.

When I chose TESL 4 years ago, I already knew that I will have a huge responsibility ahead me, where I have to teach other people's children, where I have to commit myself to the job.

Who ever said that TESL is an easy course, Teaching English subject is an easy job, well, let me tell you, it is NOT.

We're talking about teaching a subject that MOST children detest. We're talking about teaching other people's children and that's a huge responsibility. We're talking about molding these kids into great people. We're talking about preparing them for the real world where the medium of instruction is in English.

So, for those who has been wondering why MUET was even created in the first place? And why do we have to pass MUET with Band 4, isn't Band 3 good enough?

Those are the reasons WHY.

MUET is a test of English language proficiency, almost similar to IELTS and TOFEL.

So, let's look at this way:

Band 2 - limited users
Band 3 - modest users
Band 4 - competent users
Band 5 - good users

If you only acquire Band 2, how could you possibly teach English language to other people? Have you ever thought of that? Don't you feel guilty teaching the wrong things to the students? Erm..

Thus, stop wondering, start working harder to improve your language. Do anything that will help you to master it, because as an educator you have an enormous responsibility towards your students and their future, remember that.

For those who are thinking about choosing TESL because they thought it is the easiest option, and NOT because they have the passion to teach or the interest in the language, then PLEASE do the world a favour, DO NOT take TESL.

DO NOT risk other people's children and their lives for your own benefits,
As it is a sin in the sight of God.

I am extremely sorry if my entry makes any of you feel uncomfortable or angry, but I'm just trying to express my opinion on this matter. Forgive me.

SELAMAT BERBUKA PUASA!