Study at least one foreign language be made compulsory? replied by Lorry` @ Sat, 10 May 2008 01:05:45 +0800

Lorry` — Sat, 10 May 2008 01:05:45 +0800

I feel that we could not even speak English/Mandarin well (very seldom that i see can a person speak and write both well), an extra language will definitely make the students suffer in school. Hence i think this policy is not necessary at all.

If a person wants to learn a 3rd language, sure go ahead but i feel that he/she should get the base right (English and Mandarin) before hittin on other foreign languages.

but anyway to me, Spanish will be useful for work and travel. and thats the only language im interested in. Maybe this helps to motivate me in learnin the language Malay comes next.

German seems difficult for me but luckily i dont fancy that

Study at least one foreign language be made compulsory? replied by rokkie @ Fri, 09 May 2008 22:16:54 +0800

rokkie — Fri, 09 May 2008 22:16:54 +0800

it's in the curriculum but to learn or not is up to u

Study at least one foreign language be made compulsory? replied by cubsarecute @ Fri, 09 May 2008 20:28:21 +0800

cubsarecute — Fri, 09 May 2008 20:28:21 +0800

One can see this question in terms of the consequences and implications .

It shd be made complusory if the language allows Singapore to have an edge over other countries when the lanuage barrier is eliminated, thus allowing more cooperations or trade with more countries, increasing the country's revenue in the long run.

On the contrary, it shd not be made compulsory because different people have different aptitude in learning languages. It would be hard on them to learn an entirely alien lanuage andeventually unable to really master the language, the result is to defeat the purpose of learning a new language.

Besides that, the proficiency of many Singaporeans in their English and Mother Tongue are already not very high. There's even this phenomenon of 'Chinglish"- mixture of Chinese and English, and 'Singlish' - with lingos like 'lah', 'lor' etc. It would be unlikely that they can master another new language to them, not to mention the already heavy workload of students nowadays.

Hence, studying another foreign language should not be made compulsory. Instead, only individals who have the capability, passion and aptitude to take up nother new language should be encouraged to learn a foreign language.

Study at least one foreign language be made compulsory? replied by TooFree @ Fri, 09 May 2008 14:37:09 +0800

TooFree — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:37:09 +0800

I would prefer to keep the option open for keen students, who are interested, able and willing to master additional language outside the school syllabus. Beside, the students can always have a chance later in life to pick it up with foreign schools, be it a job requirement or a personal interest that could come later.

Study at least one foreign language be made compulsory? replied by Poh Ah Pak @ Fri, 09 May 2008 11:57:24 +0800

Poh Ah Pak — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:57:24 +0800

Teach them how to express properly in mother tongue first.

After they can do that, teach english.

I know under the current system, to implement this reform is impossible.

Study at least one foreign language be made compulsory? replied by Alucard101 @ Fri, 09 May 2008 11:48:58 +0800

Alucard101 — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:48:58 +0800

Teach them proper english first.

Study at least one foreign language be made compulsory? replied by pearlie27 @ Thu, 08 May 2008 21:31:30 +0800

pearlie27 — Thu, 08 May 2008 21:31:30 +0800

Originally posted by kopiosatu:

the subjects i did well in are not forced upon me.

Correct and this is esp so for languages. You must have interest in the language otherwise learning it will become a chore.

Study at least one foreign language be made compulsory? replied by Poh Ah Pak @ Thu, 08 May 2008 20:35:42 +0800

Poh Ah Pak — Thu, 08 May 2008 20:35:42 +0800

a cynic may just think the govt deliberately cripple the writing skills of the masses to make them focus on acquiring technical skills.

I believe that to be true.

Another thing is the total lack of training of critical and analytical skills at the 'O' level or 'A' level.

If that is their goal, produce people who are docile and easily brainwashed and controlled, they have totally failed with me.

Their propaganda in the mainstream media have no influence whatsoever with me.

Nil.

None.

You have failed PAP.

You cannot fool all of us.

I think they can fool 70%.

30% will not be fooled.

It is this 30% that will bring PAP rule to an end in Singapore.

I don't think the people will forever be apathetic, ignorant, docile, be brainwashed by state propaganda in the mainsteam media and vote for PAP.

The people won't stomach PAP's bullshit policies forever.

Their rule won't last for long.

The trigger will be the death of Lee Kuan Yew.

I hope he dies soon.

Study at least one foreign language be made compulsory? replied by kilua @ Thu, 08 May 2008 20:06:19 +0800

kilua — Thu, 08 May 2008 20:06:19 +0800

I think learning a foreign language should be an option, especially for those linguistically inclined.

Instead of the current elitist policy of letting of a small selected SAP schools take foreign language, those with flair and command of language, regardless of school, should be encouraged to take one.

As for learning English, I think writing courses should be made compulsory at the undergraduate level. Many universities teach writing in first year, but in Singapore, it is reserved for a small group of elite scholars programme.

Early at O levels, students should be encouraged to write on subjects that interest them.

If you compare the UK and Singapore GCE "O" level English, UK has an emphasis on writing skills. The British do not do long comprehesion passages like Singapore.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english/

Reading non-fiction texts

(Paper 1, Section A)

Writing to argue, persuade and advise

(Paper 1, Section B)

Poems from different cultures

(Paper 2, Section A)

For Pre-1914 and Post-1914 English poetry, see GCSE Bitesize English Literature

Writing to inform, explain and describe

Comparing our syllabus with the British, a cynic may just think the govt deliberately cripple the writing skills of the masses to make them focus on acquiring technical skills. Writing,a skill which can influence the masses, should be a skill reserved for a small group of elite to control the masses.

Study at least one foreign language be made compulsory? replied by fudgester @ Thu, 08 May 2008 19:31:59 +0800

fudgester — Thu, 08 May 2008 19:31:59 +0800

As lots of people here have said, the proficiency of English and Mother Tongue isn't really much cause for celebration.

I'd far rather have the focus be on the refinement of the teaching of the national languages than go on a hare-brained scheme to force all students to learn a third language.

Study at least one foreign language be made compulsory? replied by bryanw @ Thu, 08 May 2008 19:11:47 +0800

bryanw — Thu, 08 May 2008 19:11:47 +0800

Originally posted by eagle:

want

Aiming to learn Malay one day too

i know malay. butoh and chantik.

Study at least one foreign language be made compulsory? replied by Poh Ah Pak @ Thu, 08 May 2008 19:02:49 +0800

Poh Ah Pak — Thu, 08 May 2008 19:02:49 +0800

Strange policy.

Study at least one foreign language be made compulsory? replied by eagle @ Thu, 08 May 2008 18:58:06 +0800

eagle — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:58:06 +0800

In Germany, it is compulsory for students to learn 2 foreign languages (from a list they can choose) in addition to German.

Study at least one foreign language be made compulsory? replied by Poh Ah Pak @ Thu, 08 May 2008 18:51:52 +0800

Poh Ah Pak — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:51:52 +0800

That is the doing of the PAP moronic education language policy.

Learn two languages at one shot you get rojak.

Study at least one foreign language be made compulsory? replied by SingaporeMacross @ Thu, 08 May 2008 18:48:45 +0800

SingaporeMacross — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:48:45 +0800

English cannot make it, Mother tongue also cannot make it, want to add one more?

Study at least one foreign language be made compulsory? replied by TehJarVu @ Thu, 08 May 2008 18:47:25 +0800

TehJarVu — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:47:25 +0800

heehee i am cleber boi

Study at least one foreign language be made compulsory? replied by Poh Ah Pak @ Thu, 08 May 2008 18:46:42 +0800

Poh Ah Pak — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:46:42 +0800

My view is to get rid of PAP and go for education reform.

Study at least one foreign language be made compulsory? replied by jayh272416 @ Thu, 08 May 2008 18:44:30 +0800

jayh272416 — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:44:30 +0800

Originally posted by cubsarecute:

Should all Singapore students be made to study at least one foreign language?

No. I think that we should be proud of our OWN language and use it instead of using other country's languages. Making people study foreign language is like suicide. Anyway, it's not such an important subject right?

Study at least one foreign language be made compulsory? replied by Poh Ah Pak @ Thu, 08 May 2008 18:40:49 +0800

Poh Ah Pak — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:40:49 +0800

Should all Singapore students be made to study at least one foreign language?

Angmoh english language oredi mah.

Ask Harry Lee Kuan Yew lor.

He is the one who set the bullshit policy.

Corrupt our mother tongue, that bastard.

Study at least one foreign language be made compulsory? replied by FireIce @ Thu, 08 May 2008 18:31:26 +0800

FireIce — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:31:26 +0800

oredi have liao mah -- english
some ppl dun even speak own mother tongue well.... still want to go learn other ppl's language... buey paiseh ah.

Study at least one foreign language be made compulsory? replied by eagle @ Thu, 08 May 2008 18:28:08 +0800

eagle — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:28:08 +0800

Originally posted by Mimmy:

English, mother tongue also cannot speak properly liao. Still want to learn a foreign language meh

want

Aiming to learn Malay one day too

Study at least one foreign language be made compulsory? replied by Mimmy @ Thu, 08 May 2008 18:23:44 +0800

Mimmy — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:23:44 +0800

English, mother tongue also cannot speak properly liao. Still want to learn a foreign language meh

Study at least one foreign language be made compulsory? replied by kopiosatu @ Thu, 08 May 2008 18:22:07 +0800

kopiosatu — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:22:07 +0800

the subjects i did well in are not forced upon me.

Study at least one foreign language be made compulsory? replied by eagle @ Thu, 08 May 2008 18:20:51 +0800

eagle — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:20:51 +0800

If u really want to learn, it is never too late to learn

Make it compulsory, in the end maybe even harder to be proficient in even one...

There's always lots of time wasted that we can use for learning, i.e. during train rides or while waiting for buses or trains. If during each of these time periods you learn 2 phrases/vocab, you would have picked up lots.

Study at least one foreign language be made compulsory? replied by Poh Ah Pak @ Thu, 08 May 2008 18:13:37 +0800

Poh Ah Pak — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:13:37 +0800

Mother tongue also cannot speak properly, corrupted by angmoh language, still want to corrupt somemore.

Recent Posts in 'Study at least one foreign language be made compulsory?' | sgForums.com