Language for reaching out
August 25th, 2007
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.
August 25th, 2007
The Straits Times
http://news.asiaone.com/News/The+Straits+Times/Story/Language+for+reaching+out.html
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.
posted by Marcus | 4:44 AM
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