These days, issues about lacking of fluency in English keep surfacing. Many are wondering why many Malaysian students cannot speak fluently although they have been learning this language in schools for 13 years. Not to say about speaking, some are having problems with writing, when they cannot master grammars well.
I think one of the ways to look into any issues is by referring one's experience. Perhaps I can share mine. From my point of view, I think my writing in English is still okay so far, but not fluent enough. Sometimes I need to stop for a while to construct the sentences mentally. And about speaking, I think if compared to my writing, it is less fluent. Reading is quite okay unless I read articles written by native English speakers, who use words that are seldom used locally.
In fact, my writing was not good until 15 years old. Poor grammar was the main problem. Only when I went for English tuition and got to learn in depth about grammars, from that point my writing starts to improve little by little. Concerning about this experience, in no doubt that grammar is also a must-have foundation in good English writing.
How about speaking then? It is a fact that quite a number of Malaysians cannot converse in English fluently. Many argue that there is no good environment to nurture good English speakers. Hmm, that is quite correct. But don't you think that an environment can be created? From individuals form family, and from familes form community. What if we apply this concept on this issue? One speaks, a group speaks, then ahhh......a English speaking environment and community.
I do agree that some can speak English well but without confident to speak, fearing for making mistakes. When we seldom sharpen our knife, it gradually will be rusted and become unusable.
Do you realise that the language we use when we first meet a new friend, that language will be the one spoken between the person and we in the future? If we used to talk in Chinese with a friend, it would be quite weird if we request to change to English. I feel that too.
All in all, I think grammar ought to be improved for good speaking besides having the self-confidence. If we talk without proper grammars, it would be very confusing to the listeners.
Why English so hard ah? (Facebook Link)
I think one of the ways to look into any issues is by referring one's experience. Perhaps I can share mine. From my point of view, I think my writing in English is still okay so far, but not fluent enough. Sometimes I need to stop for a while to construct the sentences mentally. And about speaking, I think if compared to my writing, it is less fluent. Reading is quite okay unless I read articles written by native English speakers, who use words that are seldom used locally.
In fact, my writing was not good until 15 years old. Poor grammar was the main problem. Only when I went for English tuition and got to learn in depth about grammars, from that point my writing starts to improve little by little. Concerning about this experience, in no doubt that grammar is also a must-have foundation in good English writing.
How about speaking then? It is a fact that quite a number of Malaysians cannot converse in English fluently. Many argue that there is no good environment to nurture good English speakers. Hmm, that is quite correct. But don't you think that an environment can be created? From individuals form family, and from familes form community. What if we apply this concept on this issue? One speaks, a group speaks, then ahhh......a English speaking environment and community.
I do agree that some can speak English well but without confident to speak, fearing for making mistakes. When we seldom sharpen our knife, it gradually will be rusted and become unusable.
Do you realise that the language we use when we first meet a new friend, that language will be the one spoken between the person and we in the future? If we used to talk in Chinese with a friend, it would be quite weird if we request to change to English. I feel that too.
All in all, I think grammar ought to be improved for good speaking besides having the self-confidence. If we talk without proper grammars, it would be very confusing to the listeners.
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