Make level of English great again

WITH reference to Wong Chun Wai’s interesting article, “Ministry feeling the squeeze” (On the Beat, Sunday Star, July 29), I concur that the rut in the written and verbal English proficiency has to be addressed in a realistic and doable manner.

Successful teaching and learning framework in the 1960s, 70s and 80s produced thousands of students irrespective of race or creed, who were able to communicate (speak and write) in English commendably.

Many of them did not attend elite or full boarding schools such as the Malay College Kuala Kangsar, Tunku Kurshiah College or Mara Junior Science College (MRSM). These older Malaysian citizens (uncles, aunties, grandpas and grandmas) can put the young ones to shame.

In language teaching and learning, it does not require a scientific formula to analyse and figure out what works effectively and efficiently.

Neither does it warrant a grand mechanism that screams and claims success.

The solution is – and has always been – constant practice and a sup- portive learning environment in which the language can be applied. For example, among foreign workers in Malaysia, Bangladeshis learn Bahasa Malaysia very quickly by adopting these two processes that can easily be applied anytime and anywhere.

For the future, Malaysia needs citizens who are able to become global players, both politically and commercially. The current education system has to be fine-tuned so that more young Malaysians will be able to communicate in English commendably in the years to come.