Importance of language in science education

Importance of talking to in perception didacticsMauritius has lately seen a celestial latitude in the number of students opting for wisdom. fit in to the Mauritius interrogation Council (2004) increasingly light is beseeming little popular in schools. Furthermore, less than 30% of the pupils doing school certificate will opt for science. on that point argon some(prenominal) reasons for this. The science landing fields ar often considered to be exhausting and there is a perceived lack of job opportunities. The low ratio of scientist to community in Mauritius does non augur well for the future. There is a pick out to produce a critical mass of broad based and specialize scientists during the coming decades to facilitate the emergence of the knowledge economy to serve the contribution (Education strategic final cause, 114).This chapter attempts to shed few light on the occurrence of the decline of popularity of science field of battles and the situation in Maurit ius.This introductory chapter also discusses the reasons behind my alternative for the research focus, aims and sub questions.1.1. Education in MauritiusEducation encompasses teaching and accomplishment specific skills and something less tangible but more profound the conveyancing of knowledge, technical judgment and wisdom. (Rughooputh, 2005, p.2). Moving from a mono-crop based economy to a more diverse and complex stinting structure which is sp variation its spend towards the service sector, Mauritius is now one of the leading nations in terms of economic growth in the Afri green goddess and Indian Ocean region. If Mauritius aims at becoming a glob bothy competitive nation, it is critical that the country shores up its strength in Tertiary Education, in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) and in gentlemans gentleman resources generally (Budget Speech, 2008-2009, p.11.).Education is vital to a nation addressing human development, conform to employment and in reach th e pace for social mobility. It is also of essential importance in providing a highly skilled labor lunge as per the economic requirements of the challenges of time.(Rughooputh,2000 ,pp 1-17 )The ultimate objective of any teachingal endeavor is to improve student achievement so that individuals may fulfil their personal aspirations and become contributing members of society. Improving student achievement and attaining excellence is hard. fit to Classen (1999) it is by equipping children with knowledge, skills and attitudes that we can ensure that they become full matured citizens and self directed life long run acrossers who can co-exist in a world characterized by diversity and pluralism.1.2 Importance and role of Science educationRecent studies on the status of science and technology in Mauritius, center on the education sector, show that science as a subject is becoming increasingly less attractive to pupils, as is the case in many countries across the world. (Suddhoo, 2003) .Our flow rate lacking in science could hasten implications on the quality of our human resource, particularly within the setting of the lot of transforming the country into a Cyber island. There needs to be a blast re mickle of the teaching and learning of science in schools. The current dry land of affairs is already leading to pupils and students shying a course from science for many reasons alter from science to be perceived as a difficult subject to the lack of career opportunities for those opting for scientific subjects. (Education strategic plan., 2008-2020, p. 62).1.3. Importance of linguistic communication in science educationReasoning and argument, so essential to communication in science, proceed in course. The more contentious the argument, the primaryr and more charged the words (Hoffmann, 1988).The choice of the quarrel of didactics single-valued functiond in school is of utmost(prenominal) importance. This is an issue that needs attention in Mauritius e specially in view of its specificity and also the socio-economically disadvantaged areas where two family and community exposure to the slope dustup (the authorized dustup of instruction and assessment in schools) is limited. (Education Strategic plan., 2008-2020, p. 38).The use of English in examinations is not going to change in the next future though in the new education strategic plan proposed by the current education minister there was mention for a need of broad based national consultation concerning the change of the official language of instruction and assessment. (Education Strategic plan., 2008-2020, p 38). The use of the language of instruction apply in schools is of utmost importance to ensure that all the students learn effectively. Mauritian children have a considerable resource- bilinguism and sometimes even trilinguism. However, this causes some riddles in schools. For example, there is quite a lot of Creole deterrent in classes especially for low streng th students1.4 Professional context and research focusOur island has a highly diverse population. The official language is English whereas the vernacular language is Creole. According to the in style(p) census (2000) Creole is mouth and used in daily inter pull throughs by 80.5% of the population, and English is spoken and used in daily interactions by less than 1% of the population. Students entering the secondary winding schools so, come from a Creole-speaking environment and English is the language of instruction in schools is English.My concern is that the quality of results is poor. As an educator, I have the interests of my pupils at heart. From discussions with my avow students and colleagues, one prominent issue stuck out. Students have difficulties with the medium of language (that is English).According to the latest census (2000), English although it is the official language of the state (and thus, the official language of instruction in schools) is spoken and used i n daily interactions by less than 1% of the population. There is a major job in the writing, reading and understanding the language of biological science and consequently the pupils do not manage to reach the adequate level of scientific literacy. This is mainly because at the heart of science is a language concept asking and respondent questions.It is argued that language plays an active role in the development of scientific ideas (Ford and Peat., 1988, p.12). There is a need therefore to investigate, to see how much language is a barrier to successful studies in science. There is moreover, a need to research how low language efficiency affects the understanding and act of students. I consider to explore different teaching strategies and I believe that it will dish up me advance in professional knowledge.Our current lacking in science could have implications on the quality of our human resource, particularly within the context of the vision of transforming the country into a Cyber island. There needs to be a complete review of the teaching and learning of science in schools. The current state of affairs is already leading to pupils and students shying away from science for many reasons varying from science to be perceived as a difficult subject to the lack of career opportunities for those opting for scientific subjects. (Education strategic plan., 2008-2020, p. 62). The current alienation for scientific disciplines, coupled with the need to open the minds of children to observation, deductive reasoning, team work, free thought process and universal truths leaves us no choice but to rethink the way we teach science to children, if we destiny them to enjoy learning and to think both imaginatively and rationally.In the Mauritian Education system, it is a fact that we are bilingual, and that most of the classes and exams( the exception being French obviously) at the primary, secondary and tertiary level are conducted in English. There is a major ker fuffle of Creole in the language used and written by pupils. adjudicate on proper English can inhibit many children from expressing themselves in the kind of language they use at home, while learning for all too many students means guessing what answers the teacher expects.It is a simple truth that teachers communicate both information and values to their students, and do so almost exclusively through language. It is based on research victimisation transcripts of actual lessons to show how questions demanding factual (rather than reasoned) answers are used-if not overused-in arts subjects, and how science teachers can learn to avoid vocabulary, which is too abstract or technical.(Barnes et al, 1989, pp.5-6)It therefore seems that language that we are using in class to teach is of great importance. From my three years teaching experience one major problem I have encountered in my biology classes is the pupils have inadequate language proficiency( English in our context) to be able t o write their answers correctly and sometimes even in understanding the questions set. I need to improve their language efficiency and consequently their biology proficiency.Language learning is not a simple linear process, but involves the ongoing development of skills for a commit of purposes. This development is largely the result of the social contexts and interactions in which learning occurs. By focusing on the ways in which teachers can scaffold language and learning in the content areas, one can take a holistic approach-one that appreciates the struggle of students learning a new language, while concurrently developing subject knowledge in it, and the challenge for teachers to address these needs( Gibbons, 2002, p.3).As an educator, I sincerely wish to be able to create capable, reassured biology students who are effective communicators through oral and written language. They should be able to make informed decisions for themselves especially in a scientific way and to co ntribute wisely to the society and nation at large. According to Yore et al., (1995) the acquisition of both language literacy and science literacy is dependent on the students ability to think critically in similar ways. They also assert that the reading process corresponds to the process of scientific inquiry. Both require skills in setting purposes, questioning, predicting, analyzing evidence and drawing conclusions, and communicating results.Many children find science to be an interesting subject. We have to develop ways to make students enjoy science content, and develop their thinking and literacy skills during different activities. Research has shown that, reading and writing almost science help develop and reinforce desired science concepts (Yore, 2003 Palincsar Magnussen, 2001 Thier, 2002). Upon examination, it is go through that scientific literacy and language literacy have much in common (Alvermann, 2004 Baker, 2004 Casteel Isom, 1994). They work together in strength ening skills and strategies in both curricular areas. As Marlene Thier (2002) explains, Good science-and effective teaching and learning in science-is dependent upon sloshed language skills. Indeed, science and language are inextricably linked in the pursuit, determination and communication of meaning in the context of the physical world( look and Mckee., 2005, p1)That is why the research focus I am planning to take to the woods out is an action research1.4.1Sub-questionsWhat is the current language literacy of my form 3 students?What aspects of language should I deal with as a science educator?Why there is a need to take remedial action change concerning language in biology teaching and learning?How can I improve students performance at my school in biology?AimsI want to know how my form 3 students perceive biology and what they believe to be the major obstacles in order to succeed with good grades.At the end of the dissertation, I want to show that one problem that I face in bi ology teaching can be diminished through different teaching and learning styles.Furthermore, an important outgrowth of biology teaching is to improve their writing. Therefore, through various activities I want to develop that.The purpose of my study isTo improve my teaching capacities.To increase performance of biology students at my school through different activities.To develop an judgment of biology in my students.To diminish the incidence of language being a major barrier to the successful and efficient learning of the subject.