English teachers

English teachers

I want to make some comments on the two articles on English teaching in Indonesia by John Phillips. (The Jakarta Post, Feb. 8 and 9). Actually I had intended to write an article on the same subject for quite some time, but other activities have prevented me from doing so.

My concern is particularly on how untrained, inexperienced native-English-speaking teachers get paid higher than Indonesian English teachers who have mastered teaching skills and are experienced in teaching English as a foreign language to Indonesian people.

I used to be an English teacher at several schools and universities. We, Indonesian teachers of the English language, experienced unfair treatment regarding remuneration. I do not mean to say that we are better and so should have a higher pay.

An objective comparison between native-English-speaking teachers and Indonesian English teachers yields a 50-50 result. The first group has the advantage of being native speakers, while the second group has the edge of being trained to teach English as a foreign language.

Consequently, it is just not right for Indonesian English teachers to get the unfair treatment. Such practices have to be stopped.

In his articles Phillips has voiced some inspiring suggestions concerning the problems. I do agree with his suggestions, on what the government, schools and teachers, both the native-English- speaking teachers and the Indonesian English teachers, have to do.

Meanwhile, I want to encourage all Indonesian English teachers to keep on improving and updating their knowledge of English so as to gain ever growing confidence in their ability.

ANGELA TRESNASARI

Yogyakarta