PETALING JAYA, Oct 31 — Retired English teachers say they are willing to make a comeback to teach conversational English to adults. 

Latifah Md Nor, 57, said she missed teaching and the programme would be a good opportunity for her to resume her passion.

“I spend my free time reading and cutting newspaper articles these days. I would be glad to go back to teaching if I get the opportunity. 

“The programme must include a lot of group work to ensure the students are comfortable speaking English to everyone.

“The classes should also be small, about eight students to one teacher, so each student gets proper attention,” Latifah said.

To ensure the students keep attending classes, Latifah said the duration should be short and it only be held about three times a week. 

“They won’t appreciate free classes. We must charge a nominal fee so they would feel committed to attend classes,” she said.

Retired English teacher Shandha Kesava Pillay, 64, said although she had not taught for more than 10 years, she was willing to teach adults but the government must ensure those who in the programme attend classes diligently.

“If you give something for free, there won’t be commitment from the students.

“In schools, we offer free additional classes, but students do not attend. They pay so much for tuition and as such will not miss a single lesson,” she said. 

Shandha also said women might face a problem in attending the classes, especially if they were married, so the duration and the frequency of the classes should  be short. 

Another retired teacher, Iris D’Cruz, 60, said speaking in one’s mother tongue should be prohibited in class so students would learn how to articulate their thoughts in English and thus, speak.

“They should do away with the chalk-and-talk teaching method where the teacher just talks and the students listen.

“Interactive games and activities, which make the students the focus, should be implemented. The teacher should only be a guide,” said D’Cruz.

She said classes should also be monitored by government representatives to make sure teachers use the set module.

“If no one monitors this programme, teachers would do as they please and students will be at the losing end.”

She said emphasis should be placed on attendance and students should be evaluated to gauge their progress. 

“If they do well, certificates should be given as it would encourage them to speak English at home and at work,” she said.