Mathematics in Malaysia: A Reflection.

I started learning Mathematics when I was in Year One, 7 years old. And last time I learned Mathematics was last three ago when I was in Form Five in Upper Secondary School. Mathematics was my obsession throughout my schooling. I always aimed for a good grade in every test or exam or quiz. 

This semester when I am enrolled in Exploration in Mathematics for Early Childhood, I started realizing how different the ‘environment’ of Mathematics classroom in Malaysia and in Australia. I do not have much experiences and exposure to Mathematics classroom in Australia but based on five week interaction in the tutorial I can draw some differences that I found between Malaysia and Australia.

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When I was in the school, I can remember that my teacher never employ games in the classroom. The only time my friends and I played ‘academic’ games such as Monoply and Snake & Ladder was in the library. 

However here, I am exposed to many kinds of mathematical games that are very engaging, interactive and attracting, at the same time very educational. For example, we played games on ‘division’ in which we have to do a division problem to play the games. 


I believe this is an effective way of teaching mathematics in a way it seems to be relaxed and engaging but at the same time give knowledge on mathematical concepts to the students.


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It impressed me when I saw local students in my class are able to tell the strategies they are using in coding mathematical problems. Indeed, anyone would give the correct answer but not all can give the strategy they use to attain the answer. 
Personally, at the beginning it is difficult for me to share how I come to an answer for any mathematical problems. 


This suggests that Australian schools are teaching their students the strategies to settle mathematical problems but in Malaysia we are taught using spoon-feeding. 


For example, from primary school, we are expected to memorize multiplication chart from chart 1 until chart 12. Every morning before coming to the class we have to say the multiplication charts beside the classroom.

I always believe that mathematics should be fun. Learning mathematics should be expanding students’ thinking and knowledge. In spite of the fact that mathematical skill is an important literacy in the real world, that mirrors it as a very serious subject; we should give children an opportunity to learn the subject in more interactive and relaxed way. 


All in all, the opportunity to see and experience mathematic classroom in Australia is very meaningful in the way this can be an initiator for us, future teachers, to bring good idea to be implemented in Malaysia soon.