I had a speaking class with my students today. This was our first speaking class as I was focusing more on comprehension and grammar, previously. Most of my students come from the Middle East countries, so it is difficult for them to speak with the correct pronunciation. They come from countries which have their own forms of lingua franca; be it written or spoken. Totally different. Thus, I do understand their difficulties. It is incomparable to Malaysian students' ability in using this second language. We should and must be thankful that we have these advantages of applying the language in our country, which we actually have been taking it for granted. Understanding English should be easier for us due to these reasons:
1- The alphabets learned in English and Bahasa Melayu are identical. We learn the same A, B, C,... and 1,2,3.... the difference is only the language. The students from the Middle East's (and also from other countries such as China, Korea, Japan) have to learn two types of alphabets!
2. We are exposed (or over exposed) to English language since day one! How many mommies here sing 'twinkle twinkle little star' to their babies? Can I see hands? And we can not deny that most of the English movies / songs / tv programs (be it American, British or Aussies) are good to watch and listen. Who would miss to watch great movies like Transformers, Iron Man, Catch Me If You' can or who would not sing along when songs like 'Price Tag, Someone like you, Move like a jagger' are aired on the radio!
3. English is our second language. When it is the 'second', that means it is important to learn apart from the first, Bahasa Melayu. Thus, we have been fed with this reminder since we were small. We know that it is not awkward to see there are tv channels that only specified for English programs; English news, movies, series, talk shows. For example 8TV, TV2, Hitz TV. We also listen to local English radio stations such as hitz, fly, light and easy, mix. And yet, we are OK about it. We don't feel that it is a mother-tongue pollution. Not at all.
4. And of course, English is a compulsory subject in our national school. Even though, most of us only uses the language within class hours, but we have English class at least for three days in a week. Thus, we have learned English for 6 hours in a week.
Thus, I just think that we, Malaysian should benefit the opportunities that we have, around us. I pity my students that they can not pronounce words as clearly as I do. Because they just don't have those opportunities like we do.
