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