OVER the decades, many students have left schools, colleges and universities without mastering the English language. Many have confessed that their lack of proficiency in English has hindered or limited their chances in career opportunities and advancements.
Unlike teachers who are often called by the Education Ministry to attend in-service courses to improve their English proficiency, school-leavers are left to fend for themselves.
They may not have the time or financial means to attend private English courses. It is indeed an uphill task.
All is not lost, however. Where there is a will, there is a way.
THEY must possess the right mindset. Recognise that success in a new venture has a beginning and a pioneer who initiates it.
If English is not the language spoken at home, they will have to be pioneers, the first in their families to use English.
It is not an easy endeavour. They have to be prepared to slog to learn a foreign tongue. They must have perseverance, self-confidence, diligence, patience and faith to succeed.
They must have the vision and believe that if they make a breakthrough, their children and their children’s children, generations down the line, will find it easy, even natural, to speak English.
Right now, they have to play the role of pioneers to initiate that change. It demands hard work and steadfast determination.
It is a battle that has to be won by their sweat. It is not to be delivered on a silver platter.
If they lay a firm foundation in English, future generations will find it easier to build further on their English proficiency and agility.
THEY must strive to increase their vocabulary.
Diligent learners carry a pocket dictionary wherever they go so that they can find the meanings of new words they came across.
Today, handphones are ubiquitous. Learners can get words in their mother tongue translated into English in a second.
New words are the building blocks of their language prowess, besides building their self-confidence.
They should never let a significant word skip their attention. “Learn a word a day” — a catchphrase used in language learning in the past — is relevant today.
THEY must read an English newspaper daily. They may not have mastered the language while in school, but they have learnt basics that can help them to build on and build up their proficiency.
Begin by reading short news reports and move on to longer stories. They are reading not so much for the news but to learn English expressions.
They can also read the “Letters to the Editor” and editorials.
As their confidence grows, they can read longer articles by columnists.
The process may be slow in the beginning but with persistence, they can increase their pace and the reading becomes more enjoyable.
They will discover that the joy of seeking and finding out by themselves far exceeds that which comes from being spoon fed.
THEY must seize every opportunity to speak English.
This is not a difficult challenge, given the multiracial work environment they are in.
They should overcome shyness. They should seek out those who are competent in English. Share with these English-speaking folks that they want to learn to speak English through them and with them.
As they engage in conversations, they are also listening to how others speak the language.
They must be prepared for awkward moments. Friends who care will help them laugh off those moments. They are the wiser after each experience. So, they should be bold and be encouraged. Speak in English whenever there is an opportunity.
WORKING through a textbook on English grammar at a level they are comfortable with will help.
Allocate time for this self-learning. Go one chapter or one lesson at a time.
It is not as difficult as they may think.
Unlike their student days when they were regimented and pushed to learn, now they have a purpose to want to learn and they can set their own pace. They will realise that their right motivation, attitude and determination will see them through.
THEY can engage their minds with crossword puzzles or Scrabble. They can have fun learning English.
Liong Kam Chong, Seremban, Negri Sembilan