Language for reaching out


August 25th, 2007

The Straits Times

http://news.asiaone.com/News/The+Straits+Times/Story/Language+for+reaching+out.html

As always, the Annual National Day Rally by our Prime Minister Lee Hsien Long has resulted in many major changes in our country, one of which is our third language policy. Before dismissing the issue at hand as something that is talked about every year, I feel that we should take a closer look into the racial issues that were discussed in the article.



Our Prime Minister has offered various incentives to students to encourage them to take up Malay or Chinese as a third language, in an conscientious effort to allow the younger generation of Singaporeans to be better equipped to communicate with those of a different ethnic group. And through effective communication will then friendships be forged, and a cultural understanding between each ethnic group is able to be established.



I believe that reaching out to the neighboring countries in their own language, is as important as when doing business. When we are able to communicate well with the other party when doing business, we are able to impress him, reduce miscommunications from arising and also, most importantly, gain an upper hand with the party itself. When we are able to communicate efficiently with our neighboring countries, diplomatic relationships would then definitely improve and everyone will be, to put it in simple terms, happy. International cohesion is now all the more important in the light of the terrorist attacks and by forging good ties with other countries, we will then be able to tackle the problem together as a strong unit.



The article mentioned that statistics from surveys show that 80% of Chinese students and 70% of Malay students do not mix with students from other races. This certainly is worrying as in today's society, acts of terrorism can and will break the bonds that ensures the bonding between different races. An inability to communicate when crisis strikes will certainly prove to be the downfall of any great nation. Improving relationships with our neighbours can start by initiating a simple conversation with a Malay classmate or playing a game of basketball with a Chinese scholar.



When I was filling out the form for the selection of schools to go to after receiving my PSLE results, I was given a list of third languages that I could opt to study. I rejected it, then thinking that it would be useless and would only be a burden to an already busy secondary school life, despite my parents stressing to me the importance of learning a third language. But now, in Secondary Three I finally realised the mistake I made then. By learning a third language, an exponential growth of knowledge is acquired. With that linguistically ability, one could explore the world that was closed before due to the lack of command of the language. One would be open to more business opportunities and would make communication with other races simple and efficient. If only I had chosen the path of knowledge to study a third language, then I could better serve my country and bring glory to the nation. If only.

Too Thin Teens


ANOREXIA SUFFERER Michelle started rejecting food and missing meals last yearin order to stop the taunting from her sisters and friends. The 1.5m-tall teen weighed just 29.5kg when she checked into SGH.

August 12th, 2007

http://enewslink.asia1.com.sg/brsweb/read_1.brsw?this=result&QDT=1&QFLST=HD%3AHG%3APD&DB=ST%4007-07&QSTR=%28%28Too+Thin+Teens%29%29.HD.&DTSTR=%28%28PD+%3E=+20070812%29+and+%28PD+%3C=+20070812%29%29&PSZ=10&MAXL=200&SUMY=2&HLT=0&LSTN=0&ID=000037694@ST07


In schools nowadays, who are the people who are deemed unhealthy? They are mostly students that are more obese than their fellow peers. However, can skinny people be unhealthy? Well there are people, who choose to either starve themselves or eat a lot of food at one go and force their body to puke it all out. This would be the symptoms of someone who is suffering from anorexia and these people are extremely skinny. From the article, anorexia sufferer Michelle, 15, weighed 29.5kg when she checked into SPH. This is really a scary statistic, to think that I weighed 30kg when I was in primary 1 and still be heavier than this anorexia sufferer! Furthermore, the number of anorexic patients has increased tremendously over the past few years, and most of them are teenagers.

We live in a world where starvation is a prevalent issue. Millions of people around the globe who suffer from starvation are fighting for survival. On the other hand, these anorexic patients choose to starve themselves. Many think that these patients are crazy to do so, however, like those who are suffering from starvation, anorexic sufferers are fighting for ACCEPTANCE. Well the bulk of anorexic sufferers are teenagers and this is very worrying especially since they are the future generation of Singapore.

I believe that there are a few key causes of anorexia. Media. Images of slim and beautiful models printed on magazines, would greatly influence the thinking of teenagers. Teenagers would often make comparisons of famous celebrities such as Nicole Richie who is promoting waiflike looks to be deemed trendy and "beautiful". Because of this influence, teenagers would then think that being skinny is indeed trendy and cool, and they would do their best to follow their idols' footsteps. However, I feel the main reason they do this is for social acceptance. By looking "trendy and cool", they would be more respected and accepted by their peers and can have a better social life.

Well the most common places where you can find the causes of anorexia is at the place where teenagers spend the most time at: school. At school, students are affected greatly by peer pressure. Obese students would be teased freely and is deemed "ok" to their peers. However, incessant teasing would have a great impact on the victim. The obese student would be affected psychologically, and anorexia is a form of psychological brain disorder. Victims unable to take the psychological torture would try to very best to slim down in order to stop their friends from ostracizing them. Thus, teasing is seen as a catalyst to spark psychological disorder, which may lead to anorexia.

However, in the past, students also tease their peers who are plump and media influence is also prevalent. Why then are the numbers only rising in the recent years? I believe that anorexia is a clear, stark sign of low self esteem and an increase in self consciousness among Singaporean teens. Teenagers want to be acknowledged of their existence. To do that, they look, speak and think based on how they want people to perceive them. They constantly “change” themselves by chasing the different trends in order to fit into society. After a while, they don’t even realise who they really are inside. This is also due to a lack of self confidence. They think that by being themselves, they will be despised. Low self esteem and feeling insecure is also clearly shown by the latest “emo” trend. Whereby teenagers feel that no one understands them, they are all alone and they will lose.

These trends may actually be caused by the fierce competition in Singapore’s education where everyone is afraid to LOSE OUT, as those who do not do well are often not acknowledged by their teachers, students or even parents. Therefore, some may seek for acknowledgment in non academic areas like sports or by being in the “cool” group. This causes them to be more self-conscious. The need for acknowledgement makes them do whatever it takes to stay in the “cool” group even if it means becoming anorexic. Also as teenagers have a mindset of "being afraid to LOSE OUT", it would make it more difficult to "win" because of the competition present. This will result in teenagers having a low self esteem. They would start to idolize and long to be like the actors and actresses they see on media. If their idol does not set a good example, teenagers will follow suit.

Anorexia is preventable if parents instill the right values into their children at an early age and constantly remind them. Teachers should look out for those who are often bullied in school and council them when necessary. Parents should also always encourage their teenage children to speak up. Only then can parents find out what is going on in school, the group of friends they mix with and whether they are being bullied. This way, we can better tackle the problem of the rising number of anorexic patients.