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Sep 10, 2010
SPEAKING GOOD ENGLISH
Target kids and service sector
I READ with much interest about the Speak Good English Movement's effort to improve the use of the language ('Getting it right - from the start'; Sept1). The campaign this year has chosen the most appropriate tagline - 'Get It Right' - to motivate Singaporeans to use good English at all times.
For one to speak good English with proper diction and grammar, one has to be trained from a young age, like from preschool. I urge the authorities to employ good English-speaking teachers for the young, so they can hear good spoken English from the start.
During my primary school days, oral English was part of our English lessons. It was during this period that we put into practice our reading and conversation skills. Sad to say, I do not see this being done in many primary schools today. That may be one reason why some of our children grow up speaking 'broken English'.
People in the service sector should be the ones to be targeted next - be it a small retail shop or a large outlet in one of the shopping centres. Many a time, we come across sales personnel who do not understand what their customers want. It is most frustrating having to repeat your request more than once.
Parents, too, should play a part in correcting their children and helping to speak the language well so that it is understood by all. In a family where one or both parents do not speak English, the older siblings could help correct the younger ones.
I was heartened to note that the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College Central will be helping the movement by creating a guidebook for those working with preschoolers. Preschool is where the wrong usage starts, so once we get it right there, more than half the job is done.
I remember passing by a preschool in an HDB housing estate one day - I was shocked to hear a teacher giving instructions in improper English at the top of her voice. Preschool teachers should be trained well so they can properly nurture our young ones.
Fatmah Haji Mohamed Salim (Ms)
Home > ST Forum > Story
Sep 10, 2010
SPEAKING GOOD ENGLISH
Target kids and service sector
I READ with much interest about the Speak Good English Movement's effort to improve the use of the language ('Getting it right - from the start'; Sept1). The campaign this year has chosen the most appropriate tagline - 'Get It Right' - to motivate Singaporeans to use good English at all times.
For one to speak good English with proper diction and grammar, one has to be trained from a young age, like from preschool. I urge the authorities to employ good English-speaking teachers for the young, so they can hear good spoken English from the start.
During my primary school days, oral English was part of our English lessons. It was during this period that we put into practice our reading and conversation skills. Sad to say, I do not see this being done in many primary schools today. That may be one reason why some of our children grow up speaking 'broken English'.
People in the service sector should be the ones to be targeted next - be it a small retail shop or a large outlet in one of the shopping centres. Many a time, we come across sales personnel who do not understand what their customers want. It is most frustrating having to repeat your request more than once.
Parents, too, should play a part in correcting their children and helping to speak the language well so that it is understood by all. In a family where one or both parents do not speak English, the older siblings could help correct the younger ones.
I was heartened to note that the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College Central will be helping the movement by creating a guidebook for those working with preschoolers. Preschool is where the wrong usage starts, so once we get it right there, more than half the job is done.
I remember passing by a preschool in an HDB housing estate one day - I was shocked to hear a teacher giving instructions in improper English at the top of her voice. Preschool teachers should be trained well so they can properly nurture our young ones.
Fatmah Haji Mohamed Salim (Ms)
