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I am glad to be able to come to this platform to share ideas, opinions , wisdoms and life experience. Each time when I posted article on steemit platform, out of my surprised lots of my students do message me through whatapps and messenger telling me that they love to read my blog and they thank me for still being part of their teacher eventhough I am no longer teaching them.
Steemit should be a platform that should use not only English but that's no harm in using Bahasa Malaysia seeing that most of my students out there are more familiar with the usage of Malay language. That's why in my previous post I wrote an article about Merdeka Theme in Bahasa Malaysia.
As Malaysian we shouldnt narrow our scope in the usage of Bahasa Malaysia eventhough English Language is an International Language. But you must bare in mind that Bahasa Malaysia is still the medium of instruction and first language in this land of Malaysia. So dont ignore the usage of Bahasa Malaysia. You need to know that whatever you share is not only for one or two people to read. Besides that not everyone are good in English.
I have taught Bahasa Malaysia for 29 years. And is really an eye-opener for Malay kids and also Malay parents that Non Malays can also be good in Bahasa Malaysia eventhough Bahasa Malaysia is not their mother tongue language. Is good to excel or be fluent in other language other than mother tongue language. So that you can adapt yourself in different environment and can understand others better in the area of culture and life-style.
I heard lots of testimonies from Malay parents saying that they feel embarass if their kids are not good in Malay language because if a Non Malay teacher are teaching Malay language to Malay kids in Malay Medium School. Is a great challenges to them.
To stay alive in the teaching profession you need to adapt yourself in different environment and take up the challenge in the usage of language. Do not narrow yourself in whatever field you are involving at. Before you can understand other races you need to understand and know their language. If you are fluent at their language you can blend in very well with them.
I have been working in the Malay's world for 27 years. What I salute of the Malay race is they emphasize on building bond of love ( perhubungan silatulrahim ) and unity amongst themselves eventhough on the surface of it they do quarrel, back bitting and fight. But behind the curtain they do forgives one another. After all the happening they still accept one another as ' adik ' , ' abang ' and ' kakak '. This I am sharing in general and I do not touch on the political aspects. In the political aspect there are different story behind it. Overall they are not individualistic. I have been observing this with my own eyes through working with them.
But the saddest part to hear and come to know that there are Chinese parents asking me why not you teach Malay language to your own race? This is really a shocking question to me. This is how I answered them. I told them I am teaching human not based on race. I dont consider whether you are Chinese or Indians or Malays. They are all God's creations. To me where God has placed me I learn to appreciate.
To all teachers out there let me share this with you guys.
Always be thankful and remember to educate your pupils and students with the correct mindset so that we can continue to live in harmony and have unity in the land of Malaysia. Children of today are leaders of tomorrow.
Continue to stay tuned with me for the next chapter.