Eternal torment: The Search

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Damn, it's raining again. If the weather continues to be as bad as it seems to be, with dark skies and rumbling thunder, it's a possibility I'll never get to water my plants.

Haiz. Yesterday was weird. Boarded bus 154, from Clementi MRT bus stop. Upon reaching SIM, the driver refused to open the door. Heck, he purposely moved further ahead of the bus stop. WTF?

"Don't know how to press the button is it?"

Since I wanted to get off ASAP, I did. It's something I regret.

Seriously, what is the issue whether or not the button is pressed? In my opinion, the button was installed to ensure that the bus conductor would be able to know if passengers are alighting when it's full. I thought it was basic common sense if a person taps his/her EZ link card a couple of meters before the bus stop? And what was his problem? Why did he use such a condescending manner to speak? I take that back. In such a shocking, rude, uncouth, discourteous and impolite manner, akin to that of a taunt cum threat? I mean, if he has such an affinity for the annoying bell, then he could have politely requested for someone to press the button, couldn't he?

After that whole saga, I was walking towards the greenhouse when it started to rain. There was nothing I can do. So I left. All in all, I spent about ten minutes, most of which was spent waiting for the bus.

I have an issue about the MOE's plan to import native-speakers here to teach English. Is there even such a thing as native speakers? English is one of te most globalised languages in the world, having so many variants that it becomes a complexing language.

While I do admit that the British accent is sexy, (well, not Cockney- can't stand it) I hate to see our own local talent pool untapped. Do we not speak English too? (albeit to varying degrees of proficiency)

Furthermore, compare American, British, German, French, Canadian , Australian speakers. Sure, they speak a common language BUT the thing is, unless they get rid of the accents, they will NEVER speak the same standard and type of English.

While the importance of speaking good English is critical in Singapore's need to move ahead in the face of globalisation, we must not delude ourselves that English is actually used as a second language by many Singaporeans. Therefore, we need to rethink how we teach English.

I say, bring back grammar school and make literature more accessible. Start them from young. Primary one is too late. Islamic schools on the otherhand, should play a bigger part. Their students tend to speak in their mother tongues rather than English. While I understand that the curriculum is rather different, it is no excuse to teach substandard English. It's a pain in the butt when the kids switch to Government schools and can't speak proper English.

While I applaud the Government in being concerned about the fact the standard of English is on the decline, I believe that importing "native"-speakers is not the way to go. We need to inculculate a feel, a love for the language first lest all the efforts go down the drain.

I shall end it off here due to a certain pest hanging around awaiting her turn to use the comp.

I can't wait for tomorrow.

Transmitted on 6:56 PM

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