Cultural exchange: (From left) Eisen Sawabe of Japan, Farah Noratikah Aishah of Malaysia, Nutnicha Chaisarn and Janyaporn Phadan of Thailand, Xiong Xi of China and Annisa Sinar Chandra of Indonesia learning each other’s languages at Erican Language Centre in Kuala Lumpur. — AZMAN GHANI/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Learning the languages used across Asean will be useful for Malaysians – but first there is a need to address problems in foundational language education, say experts.
The government needs to focus on the mastery of Bahasa Malaysia, English and mother tongues and on reading, writing and mathematics skills first, they say.
The Education Ministry should address existing challenges like the acute shortage of teachers for English, Bahasa Malaysia and other mother tongues, said National Union of the Teaching Profession secretary-general Fouzi Singon.
“This shortage, compounded by inadequate teaching facilities, severely limits the effectiveness of language instruction,” he said, adding that many students still struggle to communicate effectively in English despite 11 years in school.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek had on April 24 announced plans to expand elective language offerings in schools to include Asean languages such as Thai, Khmer and Vietnamese to build deeper intra-Asean collaboration.
She said the introduction of these languages will not sideline languages already being taught in schools, but many felt otherwise.
Parent Action Group for Education chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said parents are more concerned about uplifting reading, writing and mathematics skills.
“No doubt Asean is the flavour of the day but the minister should be reminded that Asean’s official language has always been English (according to Article 34 of the Asean Charter),” she said.
Malaysian Tamil School Education Development and Welfare Association president M. Vetrivelan also said the focus should be on strengthening mother tongues, Bahasa Malaysia and English.
“A strong grasp of these three languages will create a solid platform for cultural connection, national unity and global communication,” he said.
Regional languages like those of Asean, French and German have limited appeal and cater to the needs of smaller groups, Sunway University economics professor Dr Yeah Kim Leng said.
“Given the limited time and resources (in schools), it is more beneficial to focus on advancing learning and teaching competencies in the national and international languages,” he said.
He pointed out that only a handful of students will have the capability to master three or more languages, given the short time frame in school.
“Adding more Asean languages will detract the students from mastering the national and international languages,” he said, suggesting instead that language institutes or centres be set up to cater for those interested in studying Asean languages.
However, there are others who feel that it is a good idea to teach more languages.
Offering Asean languages at school level is a forward-thinking move that reflects the evolving realities of our region, said Prof Dr Surinderpal Kaur Chanan, Universiti Malaya’s Faculty of Language and Linguistics dean.
“Proficiency in regional languages helps build stronger economic, cultural and social ties.”
Prof Surinderpal said learning languages such as Thai, Khmer and Vietnamese can open doors to regional trade, entrepreneurship and collaboration.
It will also help develop critical 21st-century skills such as intercultural competence, adaptability, and empathy – all highly valued by employers.
Prof Surinderpal also said that learning Asean languages need to go hand-in-hand with real experiences such as student exchanges, cultural festivals or joint school projects.
Universiti Sains Malaysia School of Languages, Literacies and Translation deputy dean (talent development, professional and students) Kelana Ahmad said the introduction of Asean languages will foster mutual understanding and bring us closer to our neighbours.
“Learning these languages will help enhance trade relations, workforce mobility, tourism collaboration and others,” he said.
