Facing Canadian teachers five days a week, I couldn’t resist comparing Malaysian teachers and Canadian teachers. This is the first of a two-part series, which contained 10 noteworthy differences between Malaysian teachers and Canadian teachers (More to come as time goes by). This comparison was made by someone who has endured the pain of being taught by Malaysian teachers for precisely eleven years and being a student of Canadian teachers for virtually 1 month.

Here is a little disclaimer before I get things started: All things written in this post will be solely opinion of my own, and it does not represent my collective perception of Malaysian and Canadian teachers. (Meaning, it is MOST Malaysian teachers and MOST Canadian teachers and not ALL of them)

Difference #1 Malaysian: Students can be compartmentalize into good student and bad student; Canadian: Every student is equal

Canadian teachers really view all students as equal. Every student deserves a chance to learn. Lecturers will also pay more attention on what he or she perceived as “academically weak” students from test results etc. They do not give up hope on them. On the contrary, Malaysian teachers favour good students, while they labeled and dismissed the inferior ones as “no hope”. There won’t be much effort to develop poor students. Ironically, the good students are the ones receiving academic injections all the time.

Difference #2 Malaysian: There is only one way to conduct lessons; Canadian: There are plenty of ways to conduct lessons

In the typical Malaysian classroom, the teacher will enter the classroom, and start teaching on the blackboard. Thereafter, homework is given. Loads of them. Canadian teachers conduct class discussions, trivia questions, group projects, building geometrical structure, debates, presentations, teaching assignments, etc. Malaysian-teachers-conducted-lessons are a far cry from what a Canadian teacher has to offer.

Difference #3 Malaysian: Reprimands will (more often than not) take place in front of all students; Canadian: Reprimands will only take place behind the scene/curtains

Of course, it is not like the Canadian teachers will tell you, “See me in my office!” What Canadian teachers will do is calling you to one corner of the class in a not-at-all conspicuous manner, and brief/ reprimand you. I guess they are more empathetic and always take into account how others feel.

Difference #4 Malaysian: No sense of commitment; Canadian: Very committed

Canadian teachers take teaching seriously. Of course, they never self-proclaim anything, telling the whole class “I love to be a teacher”, or “I am very committed to this job!” etc. But every action of theirs depict commitment. An anecdotal experience would be being in my Maths’ teacher’s class. Mr. Varga is my Math teacher. Almost every week, he will have us completing a journal. He will read every single journal. The journals will contain students’ feelings and thoughts. He mentioned that reading our journals took up much of his time, but he reaffirm that he loved doing that. He reckoned that by knowing how his students think and feel, he can be a better teacher. I am utterly impressed and blown away by such a professionalism and commitment.

Difference #5 Malaysian: Favouritism and bias is in everyday life; Canadian: Favouritism and bias can never rear its ugly head, at least in the teaching profession.

Favouritism is everywhere in Malaysian teachers. Whenever there is subjective assessment (meaning non-examination-based assessment, like IT), the most popular guy in class will be entitled to marks which sometimes is not commensurate with his academic performance. I believe this is a deviation of guidelines, as I really think there are black and white guidelines available for them to adhere to. (Read: Misconduct). Canadian teachers conform strictly to rubrics and guidelines when assessing. No one is entitled to special benefits despite, say having outstanding relationship with the teachers.

to be continued…