English language schools<\/p>\n
While I thank Robert Shepherd (The Jakarta Post, March 29,
\n1996, on page 5) for his comments on the English language school
\nbusiness, I would like to clarify his confusion. How rich people
\nspend their money is not my concern, but whether Indonesia has
\nsufficient English speakers for development and English teachers
\nto train them is. I suggest looking to economics.<\/p>\n
Shepherd's free market assumes there is no effect of
\ngovernment, but education is a joint matter. If work is
\nartificially devalued (English teaching by Indonesians) by the
\nchoices made in the private market (hiring false foreign experts)
\nand actions taken in the public sector (limiting wages), the
\nvalue of the market will not reflect the true value of the
\nactivity to society.<\/p>\n
Thus, Indonesia needs more English speakers than the private
\nmarket can supply, so it must be met by public action. But,
\nunless all Indonesian English teachers become better at teaching
\nEnglish and are rewarded sufficiently to remain teachers --
\ninstead of being siphoned off by the private sector's need for
\ngood English speakers -- there will be insufficient English
\nteachers and speakers.<\/p>\n
Also, none of the countries cited have as large a population
\nor as great a need for playing catch-up in the world technology
\nrace (one increasingly focused on media access and communication-
\ninformation exchange). Finally, private education already acts as
\na \"class barrier\" mechanism. If only those who can afford good
\neducation (and by implication good English education) are private
\nwealthy individuals, then the cost to society will be much
\ngreater than in dollars and cents. This is what I mean by afford.<\/p>\n
JOHN MICHAEL PHILLIPS<\/p>\n
Yogyakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/english-language-schools-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }