from st forum.
Many Singaporeans aren't good enough in one language, let alone be
bilingual. Rethink teaching methods in schools
The letter 'Humour in Speak Mandarin campaign helps to drive home
message' by Miss Pearl Lam Hui Chern (ST Online Forum, Feb 3) leads
me to wonder if Singaporeans, particularly the government, would
benefit from rethinking the issue of language teaching and learning
in our schools.
It is a fact that campaigns are successful only to the extent that
they may help to raise awareness, but only skin-deep awareness, on
any issue. Beyond this, very little in concrete terms is
achieved.
It is humorous to think that making things 'funny' would help in
any substantive way to make learning Mandarin easier. Would
listening to more jokes make one a better joker?
Instead, we - Singaporeans and the government - should ponder
whether or not at issue is a more fundamental problem - that the
average Singaporean is basically quite poor at mastering a
language, any language.
Is it the education system or is it in our genes? Some of these
issues should preoccupy the minds of our researchers.
Just look at the extent to which Singlish is used in everday life
instead of proper English. Remember the Speak Proper English
Campaign headed by an Oxford scholar not too long ago?
It says to me that a significant proportion of Singaporean adults
and students is simply not equipped to communicate properly, be it
in English or Mandarin.
The truth is, far too many Singaporeans are not even effectively
mono-lingual. So wouldn't it be asking a bit too much to expect
them to be good, or even just adequate, in yet another language
when they are already having a hard time learning one?
Lum Yew Wai
