I REFER to the report "Malaysia No. 1 in English proficiency in Asia", together with the supporting headline, "EF INDEX: Beats Singapore to place 11th in overall ranking" (NST, Nov 9).
I wish to question the authenticity of the study by Swiss international education company Education First. How accurate are the surveys?
Anyone who knows the real situation will dispute the findings.
It is still a long way for Malaysia to catch up with Singapore as far as English proficiency is concerned.
English is their first language and their schools use it as a medium of teaching. In Malaysian schools, English has been taught as a second language for 40 years.
Numerous comparisons have been made, and it is observed that the command of English in our secondary schools and colleges is, at best, only as good as Primary Three (third year) students in Singapore schools.
Many Malaysian parents and concerned citizens, including professionals, have raised concern and want the country to reintroduce English-medium schools.
They also want to reintroduce the Teaching and Learning of Science and Mathematics in English policy.
As for university graduates, there are many reports stating that their English is way off the mark.
As a result, many who applied for jobs, especially in international corporations, had to be turned down.
Of course, there are Malaysians whose command of English is as good as the best in the world, but their number is not enough to accord us the honour as prescribed by Education First.
One would ask whether the survey's samplings actually represent the population. It is best that surveys by any organisation be verified by a qualified body before the results are accepted.
The Education Ministry still needs to do a lot to improve English proficiency among students.
It is hoped that the objectives and missions defined in the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025 will help to achieve this.
Sumber: New Straits Times
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