English teachers<\/p>\n
I want to make some comments on the two articles on English
\nteaching in Indonesia by John Phillips. (The Jakarta Post, Feb. 8
\nand 9). Actually I had intended to write an article on the same
\nsubject for quite some time, but other activities have prevented
\nme from doing so.<\/p>\n
My concern is particularly on how untrained, inexperienced
\nnative-English-speaking teachers get paid higher than Indonesian
\nEnglish teachers who have mastered teaching skills and are
\nexperienced in teaching English as a foreign language to
\nIndonesian people.<\/p>\n
I used to be an English teacher at several schools and
\nuniversities. We, Indonesian teachers of the English language,
\nexperienced unfair treatment regarding remuneration. I do not
\nmean to say that we are better and so should have a higher pay.<\/p>\n
An objective comparison between native-English-speaking
\nteachers and Indonesian English teachers yields a 50-50 result.
\nThe first group has the advantage of being native speakers, while
\nthe second group has the edge of being trained to teach English
\nas a foreign language.<\/p>\n
Consequently, it is just not right for Indonesian English
\nteachers to get the unfair treatment. Such practices have to be
\nstopped.<\/p>\n
In his articles Phillips has voiced some inspiring suggestions
\nconcerning the problems. I do agree with his suggestions, on what
\nthe government, schools and teachers, both the native-English-
\nspeaking teachers and the Indonesian English teachers, have to
\ndo.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, I want to encourage all Indonesian English teachers
\nto keep on improving and updating their knowledge of English so
\nas to gain ever growing confidence in their ability.<\/p>\n
ANGELA TRESNASARI<\/p>\n
Yogyakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/english-teachers-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }