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Since I am a Malaysian, I just couldn’t help but writing some local content on this blog. A few weeks ago I had the chance to conduct an interview with a fresh graduate from Universiti Teknologi MARA or UiTM. From the papers, I could see that she is quite brilliant, topping 3.5 GPA, every semester and many Dean’s awards in tow. But I have a bad feeling with the candidate as from our email communication, it really shows that English Language is not her strong point. Even though my standard is no where near the mother tongue speaker, and being very casual about English at times, her level of English somehow managed to disturb my linguistic balance. We called her for an interview nevertheless.

However, it came as no surprise to us as she stuttered with her language. With this you can effortlessly tell that she:

• has no interest in the language
• has not been watching English programmes or reading English books/newspapers
• her thinking is limited to Malay news and books

May be you want to blame me for making such a big assumption and landing to such quick conclusion. But from my experience, that has always been the case. From what I understand, the lecturing in UiTM and other public universities in Malaysia are in English language. After 3-5 years learning in the subject, you should be able to already master the language. At least, writing in English with proper grammar and spelling. But she failed on both accounts. Who is to blame other than the individual herself. Definitely not the government! I don’t come from an English-speaking environment, but did struggle in the early years through primary and secondary schools. But there is a realisation within me that English is important and I remember keep referring to my Oxford English dictionary for new words and idiomatic expressions every day as a preparation for my English 1119 exam. I kept reading News Straits Times and Jeffrey Archer’s books, Time magazine and Newsweek. I remember subscribing to Newsweek not for the news but more for the sophisticated English that I could learn. But students learning English these days don’t even have to go to that extent. You have internet. Always choose to browse English content website and keep your English dictionary by your side every time you do it. Stop blaming the government and the environment for your non-proficiency in the language. If you are too embarassed to speak in English to your friends, speak to yourself when you are alone.

With no English, you are less marketable, just like the UiTM student that I mentioned above. Many big companies with international reputation will not recruit people who are English language handicapped. These companies demand an individual who can talk, present ideas and write in English well.

There are no two ways about this. Even in KL, if you work as a salesgirl, being able to speak in English is an advantage and you will be very valuable and can demand more in salary. Most local graduates have options to answer in Malay in their exams. Such is the environment that there is no push for them to sharpen their skills in the language. It only sets you back about RM 40 for an Oxford Advanced Learners’ English Dictionary, the cost of a meal, a movie and a pack of cigarettes. Think about it.

What worries me is that even some the lecturer in colleges are not fluent in English. In secondary schools, a significant number of teachers teaching Maths and Science subjects failed their english competency exams more than 3 times. For people like these, because of the failure, they should take a huge pay cut, as an incentive to improve themselves. This is the only way. Not by giving extra cash for those who are fluent. Scientifically, people are more afraid of losing than gaining!

MALAYSIA should organise national level English-speaking competition beyond English debate between schools and universities. This should involve more students with big rewards. This will excite the nation, just like the Chinese’s CCTV Cup English-speaking competition.

CCTV CUP ENGLISH SPEAKING COMPETITION