Provide an early foundation in English

CONCERNS about students’ poor command of the English language have become increasingly common in recent years. The scope of this matter transcends the boundaries of secondary educational institutions and reaches even those who are pursuing a higher education. This is undeniably a matter of great concern, for it directly relates to the future prospects of these students.

Given that English is now the international language of commerce, academia and communication, a university graduate with strong English language skills will surely benefit in his/her career.

Many companies and organisations transact business internationally or with nations where English is the primary language. Job applicants who emphasise their English fluency demonstrate that they are marketable assets in today’s globalised job market.

English has become the prevailing language of instruction in the vast majority of universities, a fact that is widely recognised and accepted.

Those students who do not strive for mastery of this language will undoubtedly face obstacles when it comes to comprehending and achieving proficiency in the field of knowledge they are studying. This will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on their capacity to flourish within their chosen profession.

It is of utmost importance that the younger pupils in our schools have a firm and consistent command of the English language so that they will have a strong foundation to build upon at university. The foundation stones must be laid in the very beginning of their educational life, as early as preschool.

With this valuable language grounding them, students will definitely find that they are able to navigate the wide domain of information with greater ease and competence and, as a result, they can position themselves favourably in the global arena of competition.

While it is undeniable that having a proficient command of the English language can offer individuals a competitive edge in their quest for employment prospects, it is important not to overlook the importance of our national language, Malay.

The significance of the national language comes in the fact that it embodies the identity of the Malaysian people and acts as a potent symbol of togetherness within this country that is made up of so many different ethnic groups.

The acquisition of a strong proficiency in both the Malay and English languages is of utmost importance for students, as it aligns with the objectives of our country to nurture individuals who possess exceptional academic abilities and a deep sense of connection to Malaysia. To accomplish this, it is imperative for pupils to acquire proficiency in both of these languages.

NOR RAFIDA MOHD SENI

School of Languages, Literacies & Translation

PROF ZILFALIL ALWI

Consultant paediatrician and clinical geneticist

Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan

Prof Zilfalil is a part of the World Health Organisation Technical Advisory Group on Genomics; he holds the Chair on the Human Genetics of Thalassaemia in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation; and heads the Malaysian Node of the Human Variome Project (MyHVP).