oh my english
September 3, 2014I don’t usually do the interviewing for recruitments at FV, but sometimes when no one’s available to do it, I have to stand in and be the interviewer. Not my favourite thing to do because I like people easily and if I have to not hire them, I feel very bad. If it were up to me, I would hire everyone who takes the time to come in! Which is why Dean never lets me handle HR in the company. Hehe.
So lately I’ve been reading resumes and cover letters and seeing the exercises that they do in their first round of interview. And there are outstanding ones of course, whether or not we end up hiring them, I’m so proud Malaysia has such talent. But then sadly there is also the other side of the spectrum; the ones I would love to hire but just can’t.
And it all boils down to one common element, I realize. Their lack of good English, written or spoken or both. When I spoke in Malay, all’s good and I saw the spark and excitement during the interview. Then when I switched to English, some of them just curled up and the confidence I previously saw just disappeared! It was really a shame because they were good! I’m like hey hey where did that lively confident girl go?!! As an employer, when given a choice, the harsh reality is of course I will hire the one with good English. And let me tell you that it is reallyyyy slim pickings out there. And it’s worrying!
I’ve further realised the importance of good English after I needed to scale up the company. Putting ourselves out there to thousands of customers, potential business partners, especially international ones. Everyone in the office knows how anal I am about whether or not they use it or it’s or its correctly. Or when people say “It’s depends” or “That’s means”. Or how I want to pull my hair out if someone says stuffs or staffs (NO SUCH THING, PEOPLE!). Or how I panic and tell off the marketing team when there is a newsletter or email that goes out with a spelling error. Oh my god, I am the worst, I literally scold, especially if it’s the third time it’s happened.
A joke my colleague sent me. Cringe.
Don’t get me wrong. I too make mistakes and I know if you search through this blog, you’ll find errors for sure. But if it happens in every post or every paragraph, would you hire me to represent your company? In many instances I’ve seen companies I look up to make banners or write captions on Instagram, and there I spot an English mistake. And my heart just drops. Like nooooo, please nooooo your branding was so goodddddd. Same way I feel if I spot one made by my own company!
Most of my growing up life, I was in an all-Malay medium in school so I really don’t believe that just because you’re surrounded by Malay, Malay and more Malay that you can’t have good English. As a child, I read A LOT, and I used to read out loud so I can hear myself and pronounce words. And I would watch so many English films that I even had a little American accent as a child. It was pretty annoying, I would slap myself as a child if I knew me then. When I was studying abroad, I noticed a lot of all-Malay-only groups who can speak good English, but they’re just not confident enough to mingle with non-Malays there. Naturally, after being sooo used to all-Malay friends, their English usage slowly fades away until they lose all confidence.
I’m not sure what the education system is like now, whether it’s changed again to an all-English medium like our parents’ times. For our Gen Z’s sake, I really hope it has because as much as I love our country and our language, the world is soooo much bigger than just us and it can take us far if we can actually speak confidently to the rest of the world. Like it or not, they speak in English. Then, if the next big thing is China, pretty soon, we’re all going to have to take up Mandarin lessons together too! #cannotcatchabreak
Gosh, I agree. A lot of people who get into our local unis can’t even speak basic English. It’s quite worrying….
I do get you. My specialist once told me years ago during a ward round, that someone who can speak better English just sounds brilliant eventhough he might be lacking knowledge wise. He just made a good impression.
That is why, I converse in English with my baby and forced my husband to do so too. Hehehe. She can always learn Malay later through others around her but I doubt she can speak fluent English if I don’t start from the beginning.
Vivy,
I was in MRSM for 2 years (2000-2001). During my first month there, I tried to converse in english as much as I can. Things got bad when all the girls started to hate me and call me “budak bandar” or “poyo”. They even held an intervention! Hahaha… Apparently, I got over it. Isolated myself and start to befriend with older people (my english teacher). I didn’t give up. The tide was high for sure back then. Brushed up my english during uni days (make friends with my lecturers). Alhamdulillah great opportunities landed in my career.
Saiko gila when I think about it. Haishhh
This is the best blog entry you’ve ever written, Proudduck, because it rings so true.
I totally agree – going through a Malay language curriculum in school shouldn’t limit your ability to learn English – reading, watching TV, exposure and practice – it’s all about self initiative!
It’s not just limited to Gen Z or X or Y or what have you. I’ve read atrociously written letters from Malaysian embassy / government agency staff stationed overseas. It is appalling and embarrassing that we send representatives of Malaysia overseas who can barely communicate in English.
I hope your readers take a page from your book and take heed of your advice. You’re a good role model for young Malaysians.
I feel that the mentality is the problem. Most that don’t speak english makes fun and discourage others that try to learn, this happens a lot in high school and college. And the educators that are supposed to teach in english medium will change to malay or mixed because they desperately want their students to understand, hence the students are comfortable in not learning proper English Language.
I just love the American accent! InsyaAllah will practice with my kids & husband.May Allah ease our journey to teach good things to our kids.Amin insyaAllah
I am the total opposite – I have a Scottish fiance and I get terrible language lethargy from speaking to him with perfect English (dia tak paham Melayu) to the point where for my Melayu tongue’s sake I talk broken England to him which is very the powderful. He gets it though and now he’s beginning to catch up on our nation’s delightful colloquialisms past the point of the newbie’s “Lah”. >< Who knows he may even speak Malay this way yet ! BTW Ms Vivy I am so keen to work with you. I am 34 years old with 12 years experience in
Oops, not finished. 12 years experience in Copywriting (online retail), writing, editing, public relations and marketing & communications. I am currently a hotelier in the PR department. I’d love to join the FashionValet team in a writing capacity – will get in touch with you for a possible working relationship by end of this year.
I got scolded once by my teacher when I was in Standard 2 for not able to understand the instructions for my English test. It was very terrible I tell you. Then, my mom (who was also an English language teacher back then) bought for me this english language teaching aids. There were story books, cassettes, exercise books in that big box. The set was very interesting and i got excited everyday to explore more about what was inside the big box after I had done with my school. From that moment, I started to love this language and able to speak fluently with my teachers (not to my friends cause they would say that I was snobbish to speak the language in front of them). And now, I am a teacher myself, who teaches English language to my students. Gazillion thanks to my mom!!!
I cringe whenever I see the word “congrates!” Like “Congrates on your promotion!”
It is worrying. I was shocked when i first heard my course mates converse in English. Poor sentence structure, misusing IS and ARE. Normally, i don’t really mind because hey, at least they are trying but the thing is, they are TESL students, Vivy. TESL students. I’m not perfect myself, i make grammar mistakes too but misusing IS and ARE?
OMG. I totally screwed up! I think there was a stone smashed onto my face when reading this HU HU. But anyway, I started to blog in English since April this year and I really think it works. My english is better than before. But still lack in conversation. Anyway, it’s never too late to improve ourselves, right? 🙂
Some people dont even bother to write official email in proper English. At least, use the right words and spell it correctly. Google it if you are not sure 🙂
If it weren’t for my mom who forced me to read Peter and Jane books and newspaper articles in front of her, oh and also surprise spelling bee sessions and a big notepad for me to write essays on whatever topic she can think of, every.single.day when I was a child, I wouldn’t be where I am now.
Hehhhe…Speechless…
But I heard the CEO wrote “photobomed” instead of “photobombed” ? Hehehe ;p
I agree with all of the above comments! & I’d like to add that even when we’re surrounded by self depreciating Malaysians who look down on people who speaks or tries to speak in English, it’s okay, just widen your horizon & practice! My fluency in spoken English blossomed when I was in secondary school. Before that I can only write okay but clammed up the moment people start conversing with me in English, so I feel ya’ll! Haha!
While I completely agree on how important it is for us to master the English language if we want to make it in the business/professional world, I do think your proficiency in English is not necessary reflective on how good you are at doing your job. I work as a doctor and to my surprise I have met some really good experienced medical consultants who dont really converse well in English; they say “that’s hurt” or “it’s paining”, their grammar is bad, and they structure their sentences like talking to a seller in pasar tani. But man, are they the ones whom you want to trust your life with, literally. So I dont know, dont be too quick to judge. Afterall, English is just only a language.
I’m with SA, like any other languages out there…it can be learn. If that person is qualified, talented, fit the bills and with the right attitude by all means they deserve a chance. Just please don’t dismiss them just because, unless of course they applied for copywriting or editor position 🙂
Well to be honest, I hate that “double standard” on how English speaking people are deemed better than those who can’t. Language can always be learnt, send them to language camp for a month and I’m sure they can speak well after that. Those who can’t speak English well, most of them are just lack of opportunity to converse in English on daily basis, and no matter how good they are on written skill, conversing is a whole different matter, it needs practice and exposure. Give them a chance.
But then you’re the boss, I totally understand from your view. With other more deserving candidates, why bother hiring those who can’t speak, when communicative skills are the most vital part of their job. I’d probably do the same too.
Also, I noticed how we Malay don’t like to use our own exclusive language. It’s frustrating, remembering how hard I spent my time to learn the language, only for it to not be in use in my working/adult life.As if I learnt my own mother tongue for nothing. Those wasted time and energy of my teenage years.. It’s really frustrating. I always try to use it, but I noticed I’d always get better treatment if I converse in English so yeah why the hell should I use my own useless good-for-nothing mother tongue.
in my line of work, we use English everyday. (I’m an engineer in O&G company, n u can judge my bad grammar). I’ve meet lots of technical people with poor English but very excellent in their job. Totally agree that we should educate people and try to improve our English proficiency but don’t miss out talented people just because they don’t master the language.
Agreeing with SA and Hanis, I spent a large chunk of my life equating english proficiency to capability and just all around intelligence.
I now realize how unfair my school of thought is and constantly remind myself of one of my favourite quotes which strikes a chord, “all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages you’ve had”.
Having said that, I take language in branding and marketing very seriously, I am less likely to purchase something from a brand if I spot an error in their copy or various social media accounts especially if the brand is relatively established. So yes, language is very important in certain key roles in a business but it is not a reflection of how good everyone is at their job.
totally agree vivy…. 🙁
saya sendiri x fluent speaking in english…..need more practice i guess..lagi satu x confident..takut cakap nnt salah pula… (typical mentality kan..)
seriously….i try my best to improve my english.
a lot of reading and try speak in english whenever i can…
maybe bab grammar mmg failed sikit…at least says cuba kan…ehee..
sedih juga dengan diri sendiri…but i always improve myself to be better & knowledgeable.
Quite possibly the best blog post you have written. FYI the education system is still in Malay and my mother (a former English teacher and language head at her time of retirement) confirmed that the level of Malay is very high, while the level of English is frighteningly low. While its obviously good to know the national language, the usage ends here. Unless you’re becoming a scholar in the Malay language, there’s not much use of it outside of the country. English on the other hand, is used all over the world – to be able to compete on an international level requires this knowledge and we can’t progress as a nation, if we continue to have such a low standard here. All I can say is, I thank God that I had parents who insisted on speaking grammatically-correct English and instilling the habit of reading lots in us. If it was left to the education system here, who knows where we would be right now!
Just because we are on this topic, “revert” does NOT mean “get back to you”. I catch so many people (sometimes big time managers) misusing this word and I cringe.
Also, schools really need to monitor their English teachers or at least make it tougher for people to become an English teacher (with thorough exams and tests), because I have come across so called English teachers that are very careless with their grammar and worse, they have Facebook nowadays (and add their students) and update statuses with horrendous grammar for all to see (and judge and worse, subsequently mirror).
And stop with all these “Melayu-nising” words like “serious” to “siyes” and “gorgeous” to “gojes”. Come to think of it, it’s just the same like how some northerners in England say “fanks” instead of “thanks”, let me tell you honey, it’s not cute. Things like these are exactly how beautiful languages get dethroned.
Okay rant done. Sincerely, grammar nazi.
Theeheeeheee…now everyone left their comments in ENGLISH. Good job Vivy!
My sister worked in HR for an oil and gas company and she met so many candidates, who were A+ on paper, but failed miserably during interviews, due to gems such as “I use to work beside-beside the river” and “I from the Bakri in the Muar at Johor”. And it’s not exclusive to English! Graduates nowadays put down Mandarin or German as a third language in their CVs; even putting down ‘excellent’ for spoken/written, but are soon rumbled when the interviewer starts a question in said language. The reply will almost always be “umm can repeat?” or “I only took it as elective” or “dah lama tak cakap, dah lupa la”. Tsk tsk.
I’m not in your position, Vivy (hiring/employing) but I agree wholeheartedly with your POV. Maybe we’ll get to see a change soon in our local workforce!
Hi vivy..
Just give them a chance..language is not everything.that can be learn by time..the most important thing is the person willing to learn and work smart
Me myself previously not so good in english..but i learn through experience given by my employee.Don’t be the person who just look at people language not the attitude and behaviour.ok…just..if that keep on happening..how we can help those people…see japan..they use they own language..but their attitude and behaviour that we need to be motivate..nothing is impossible..please don’t be a high end people niche..all the best..May you will be a good employer…
vivy, i feel so motivated with your post, but i somehow feel sad, because when i started to converse in english with those who speaks english at home, they started to speak malay back to me, like subtly telling me, girl .. you should speak malay, ur english was horrible. 🙁 help me vivy 🙁 how or it just me? :'(
Whats with our obsession with speaking in English??? Typical malaysians- sigh. Im pretty embarassed that we’re trying too hard to prove that we speak good English. Like come on, be proud of our own mother tongue- i travel a lot for work and i like seeing how other people from other countries speak so proudly of their own language, even refuse to speak in english when they actually know the language! Now thats an exemplary culture!
Yes i agree that knowing english is crucial especially when ur line of work involves lots of documents in english and requiring lots of interraction with people of other nationalities. But ironically, zero other nationality in some offices and only malaysians who must speak english and have perceptions and look down on people who dont speak english! Like come on, such a sad mentality that u malaysians have. And yes i know some who dont really speak english but are so good at what they do and some who speak fluent english who are just so hopeless!
And yes im typing in english just so that u cant say – alaa tak reti ckp english thats why la back up bagai. Lol please people i grew up abroad and have travelled to so many parts of the world and im telling u! Be proud of our mothers tongue! Stop being wannabes!
I wish I had the same confidence the girl has in speaking BM because I curl up & become a different person, the moment I have to converse in BM! What makes it worse is I am a Malay…*cringes*
hi Vivy,
I can speaking and written good english. Can i worked for FV?? Would you liked to saw my resume? I can sent you immediately now.. you will love me coz my engrish is impeckable.
i is hope you can sleep well after reading my comment.
: )
i agree with sarah. we do speak English to prove we’re good in our own society,..(can’t blame if the English is your first language/mother tongue in your life).sis,let’s try for one malay post?hehe.
I think some of you are missing the point here.
As a hiring manager, the skills that you put in your CV reflect a lot about you.
For example, written English A, spoken English A.
Based on this important information, I would expect to be able to hold a decent conversation with you throughout your interview in English.
But very often, that is not the case. 90% of the time, these graduates is not even able to speak a proper sentence in English. Therefore the right grading would be spoken English C or B. Then, from the beginning we as hiring managers would not judge.
In their transcript, all passed with flying colours. So when I asked them a simple question, why is it that you can pass with good grades even for your English subject, but you can’t hold a decent conversation in English? Simple, “semua mesti pass punya, lecturer takkan bagi fail”!
Well, as expected I guess by doing that you would push down the overall grading of your university and so on and so forth.
I believe back 12-17 years ago during my SPM days, our teachers do their best to educate us. I am not sure about now, I just hope that one day our education department will have a “light bulb” moment and actually address the issues that we are facing.
Yes, English is not a reflective of your skills but the ability to converse in it, plays a big importance in the job you are applying for. For example, if you are mechanic or a foreman, no we do not expect you to converse well in English. But if you are interviewing for a position as a clerk, receptionist or executive, conversational English and written English is important.
Woah, Sarah, your comment has inspired me just as much as reading Vivy’s post on this issue has! I guess all we need is a little reminder to be proud of our own mother tongue!
I personally make it a point for my staff to converse in English with me during working hours, just for the sake of learning and mastering the language. It is painfully excruciating for them to think of what to say and then have to translate it in their head before blurting out the words, but all I want from them is the effort to learn. That being said, we almost always speak in Malay during lunch hours and after working hours as the Malay language is just as necessary and equally important. I admire my Office Manager for coming up with our office seculars in beautifully written Malay. It sounds so posh! So now I’m trying to brush up on my written Malay in the hopes that I too, could write just as good!
I agree with Michelle.
Sarah, hats off to you for having been able to travel the world. Though I wouldn’t necessarily agree with your sweeping observation of “typical Malaysians”: by saying that you’re putting yourself in a different class and pooh-poohing everyone else. Are you not Malaysian too? For someone who harps on about how other races are proud of who they are by the way they speak, you could do well to show some pride in your own race too by being positive about what we collectively do. Godspeed!
maaf ilapuyush jikalau komen saya terdahulu kurang terang matlamatnya bagi kamu. Begini, saya bangga dengan banyak kualiti orang Malaysia. Saya bangga dengan tarian tradisional, aktiviti gotong royong, sikap mengutamakan keluarga yang di amalkan majoriti masyarakat kita dah banyak lagi. Pendek kata, saya banggakan nilai murni , adat istiadat yang di turunkan oleh nenek moyang kita.
Apa yang sedih adalah mojoriti masyarakat bandar kita yang suka memandang rendah orang yang tidak tahu bercakap orang puteh (walaupun sebenarnya orang itu barang kali orang yang sangat pakar dalam bidang bidang tertentu), kalau tidak bercakap orang puteh mesti orang miskin, orang kaya sahaja pandai cakap orang puteh, bertaraf rendah dan sebagainya. Golongan ini lah yang saya tujukan komen saya di atas. Bukan sesekali bermaksud saya tidak banggakan kualiti kualiti lain rakyat Malaysia, bukankah topik kita sekarang ini adalah sekitar penggunaan bahasa inggeris dan mereka yang dianggap tidak boleh bekerja kerana tidak berbahasa inggeris. Jikalau Vivy membuat topik spesifik untuk kualiti kualiti rakyat Malaysia , saya sangat suka untuk berbincang tentang hal itu!
Now, i know i made so much grammar mistakes on my Bahasa Malaysia here, but trust me , no one really cares to be a ‘grammar nazi’s’ to Bahasa Malaysia, but cares so much to pin point grammar mistakes when someone speaks english. Why the mentality ~
Hi Vivy…
saya bagi komen dalam bahasa Melayu saja.. jujur english saya memang x seberapa baik..tapi sy juga berusaha belajar dari semasa ke semasa…
saya penjawat awam kerajaan… saya setuju bahasa english tu perlu kita belajar dan seboleh-bolehnya boleh berkomunikasi dan mesej yang diterima boleh difahami.
Dalam kerajaan, ada Kementerian yang memerlukan pegawainya fasih berbahasa english. Sebagai contoh di kementerian luar negeri atau mana2 kementerian yang ditempatkan di unit antarabangsa. Mereka ini ibarat wakil Malaysia..sebab itu bahasa kena tip top.
Tapi ada tempat2 lain yang memang penggunaan bahasa melayu 100%. Namun demikian, ruang untuk memperbaiki bahasa itu sentiasa ada sebab kita ada kursus bahasa inggeris.
Utk pengetahuan pelanggan kerajaan ada pelbagai peringkat… bila mana yang berhubungan dalam inggeris pegawai awam akan berusaha berkomunikasi dalam bahasa tersebut. Spt yng sy katakan sekurang-kurangnya mesej yang diterima difahami dan sampai. Tapi boleh kata pelanggan kerajaan terdiri daripada rakyat malaysia yang seharusnya tahu berbahasa melayu. After all bahasa melayu adalah bahasa rasmi malaysia.
Itu secara overview saja…tapi point saya sama spt sahabat kita Sarah. Fasih atau menguasai bahasa Inggeris itu baik..tapi bukan faktor utama untuk yang menentukan kompetensi seseorang pegawai. Like I said, kalau jawatan yang diperlukan sebagai tutor or lecturer dalam BI, perlulah faktor itu diambil kira. Saya pernah mengikuti seminar peringkat antarabangsa tapi masa itu wakil2 negara adalah negara asean iaitu Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia. Dan ada wakil juga dari Jepun sebagai jemputan utama. Setiap negara perlu membentangkan kertas kerja masing2. Kalau dilihat dari segi grammar memang ada saja yang x betul. Tapi like i said before, yang penting mesej itu sampai. Dan diakhir seminar, tetap kita dapat 1 keputusan yang sama.
Sy tidk tahu bidang fesyen ini macam mana…tapi kalau sy lihat pelanggan fashion valet ramai saja melayu. So itu ttp terpulang kepada keperluan organisasi.
Apapun, cintai bahasa kita.. tapi dlm masa yang sama tetap mempelajari bahasa lain.
So vivy bagaimana kalau ada post kamu yang dalam bahasa melayu sepenuhnya?
Saya faham apa maksud awak dalam komen awak yang pertama, Sarah. Maksud saya pula, kenapa awak nak fokus pada sifat buruk dalam masyarakat kita (yakni memandang rendah pada mereka yang tidak boleh bercakap Bahasa Inggeris) sedangkan awak boleh fokus pada mereka yang berusaha untuk memperbaiki penguasaan Bahasa Inggeris, baik secara langsung (ambil kelas tambahan) atau tidak (majikan yang mahukan calon fasih berbahasa Inggeris)? Saya tak sentuh fasal “orang kaya”, “orang miskin”, orang bandar atau orang kampung, sama macam Vivy tak menyebut langsung tentang latar belakang seseorang yang datang untuk ditemuramah; sebaliknya, dia mengatakan keperluan syarikatnya adalah calon yang boleh bertutur dalam Bahasa Inggeris. Mungkin masyarakat negara luar yang anda temui itu pun tak gemar pada mereka tidak boleh bertutur dalam bahasanya, kan?
You can be so much better than these “masyarakat bandar” by showing you have both excellent BM and English, no matter your background. The more languages, the better! Isn’t that an all-round winner? More opportunities for you too. All the best in changing to a more positive outlook on life and changing your perception on “masyarakat bandar”! Godspeed!
Dear Sarah,
I think you have missed the point of this post.
It is nothing to do with “not being proud of your mother tongue”.
Of course we are all proud of our mother tongue. The ability to converse in many dialects and languages is what we are made of. A multicultural society.
But the context here is about the importance of English language both written and spoken to the job that you are applying. As we all know, English is an international language. When you are dealing business at an international level, English has become a medium of exchange.
Once again this has nothing to do with race or social status. Many chinese and indians are also not able to converse well in English. Many rich people also can’t converse well in English. Some rich Malays, Chinese and Indian also can’t converse well in English, but the difference is they probably hire people that can do the job for them and get the work done.
Hai ilapuyush,
err… saya tidak maksudkan anda yang menstereotaipkan golongan kaya .. miskin dan sebagainya… umm i guess, siapa makan cili terasa pedas?
and i totally get the point ladies, like i said before, english is crucial and the more languages you know the better of course. it’s the double standard that i disagree on ( as a simple example, people take so much efforts to correct your grammar when ure speaking in english , but cant be bothered when it’s Bahasa Malaysia- why is that??) and the perception that some people (err, do i have to make it very clear to ilapuyush that this is not all about her?- ok, here goes ilapuyush not about you okay? so dont be all emo on me ! 🙂 have on those that can’t speak English.. and i hope that change.
and michelle, yes exactly my point, this has nothing to do with racial or social status. the reality is this is the perception that some of these people have on people that do not speak english. you’re echoing my point. i would like to see this change.
ok i have better things to do that clarifying my points here in a blog.
K, Sarah! Happy travels! Godspeed!
Michelle, point well made again. Hope to see more people getting Vivy’s point and trying to make a change for the better, myself included!
Thanks, Vivy for the platform!
My previous experiences interviewing ppl were similar like yours Viv. However, I make sure that i gave them my honest feedbacks after the interview. I hope by doing that, even if they were not successful at least they know what area to improve on for their next interview.
i may be out of context here, but only the privileged are able to say “who cares about english? be proud of your mother tongue”, and saying that of course, they’re perfect in English and that gives them confidence already. Cos at the back of their mind, they KNOW, that English IS important and it IS embarrassing to not be able to converse and understand English well. so let’s not be hypocrites and say “who cares about english?” because we know, it IS a huge deal.
saya sangat bersetuju dengan pandangan yang dilontarkan oleh Saudari Akmal dan Sarah. Ingin saya kongsikan pengalaman saya sendiri di sini. Semasa saya menyiapkan tesis PhD saya dalam bidang kejuruteraan di salah sebuah universiti terkemuka di England, kecoh kala itu dengan isu plagiat. Di mana pihak universiti ketika itu mengambil keputusan, jika tesis seseorang pelajar antarabangsa mempunyai English yang sempurna, maka tesis itu akan diperiksa sebetul-betulnya kerana kemungkinan besar tesis itu diplagiat adalah tinggi. Harus diingatkan disini, pelajar-pelajar antarabangsa adalah majoriti pelajar pasca siswazah yang belajar di kebanyakan universiti di England. Di tempat saya belajar ketika itu, 75% pelajar pasca siswazah yang menyambung PhD dan MSc dalam penyelidikan merupakan pelajar antarabangsa. Maka kami telah diingatkan oleh pihak universiti bahawa English yang sempurna bukanlah penunjuk tesis kita yang terbaik atau penyelidikan kita adalah terbaik. Itu adalah cerita pengalaman saya semasa menghabiskan pengajian disana.
Pulang ke Malaysia dan seakarangs ebagai warga pendidik, suka saya galakkan pelajar-pelajar saya belajar sebanyak mana mereka mampu dan terdaya. Kutip pengalaman sebanyak mungkin. Pilih untuk jadi yang terbaik. Saya tahu mereka bukanlah bernasib baik kerana tidak terpilih untuk belajar diluar negara (lebih banyak pengalaman lebih luas pandangan), kebanyakan datang dari kampung yang mana tahap penguasaan bahasa Inggeris adalah sangat terhad. Saya sering menyuruh pelajar-pelajar saya memberi syarahan atau persembahan (presentation) dan menggalakkan mereka menggunakan bahasa Inggeris. Walaupon bahasa Inggeris mereka agak terhad dan tidak sempurna, saya tidak berasa sedih, malah bangga dengan keberanian yang mereka tunjukkan. Saya betulkan mana yang mampu. Kita perlu menggalakan mereka belajar, jangan takut untuk mencuba sesuatu, bukan dengan cara menulis sedih, hampa, apa nak jadi. Bukan apa, sekarang kita sudah berada di tahap tinggi, tanggungjawab kita (walaupon sedikit) untuk bantuk anak bangsa sendiri dengan apa cara yang boleh. Apapun, saya tetap doakan yang terbaik untuk pelajar-pelajar saya.
Maaf saya menulis agak panjang disini. 🙂
Sarah,
But ironically, zero other nationality in some offices and only malaysians who must speak english and have perceptions and look down on people who dont speak english! – I don’t have a clue what is being said here! Also, please look up the meaning of the word ‘ironically’
Like come on, such a sad mentality that u malaysians have. – Stereotyping and generalizing.
Be proud of our mothers tongue! – Yeah, you can be proud with your Mom’s tongue.
ilapyush/michelle – Think this girl is another one that missed the plot. Lol!
Mate, the comments on this post are making me LOL. Also can we take a moment to thank the person that taught you that you can’t pluralise certain words. Also “realise”, not “realize” – you were taught the Queen’s English innit. Lots of love and all that whatevs x
Banyak betul nak betulkan grammar… LOL tengok hidung kemek aja.. tengok banyak sangat movie hollywood dah perasan American… kadang kadang cakap slang american, pastu keluar pulak nak betulkan English grammar UK… konflik identiti betul…
sentiasa ada ruang untuk memperbaiki kelemahan dan kesilapan. bukan bermakna hari ni tak berapa hebat cakap English, esok pun akan macam tu. sama jugak dengan Bahasa ibunda kita. ada Melayu yang kurang pandai cakap BM, tapi mereka belajar dan lama kelamaan mereka akan lebih fasih. just jangan lah terus ‘chop’ seseorang itu sebagai tidak fasih atau kurang fasih berbahasa English just because you are good at it (as you have always thought). the key is ‘TO LEARN’ because learning is a journey not a destination.
Haha. Funny. Well i dont think Vivy and Dean can speak malay properly. Have u guys heard them speak in Malay? Heheheheh… Anyway, do we look down on ppl who cant speak their mother tounge properly then? No right, same goes to those who cant speak english properly… Dont judge and dont look down on others! Everyone of us has our weaknesses so its best if we just support each other instead of making a big deal out of it!
Hi! I totally agree! I would also agree to you running a check on the person who manages FV’s instagram because I’ve noticed so many grammatical/spelling errors of late. They make me cringe! #grammarnazi