Singaporeans Split on Mother Tongue Weighting (Tuesday, May 11, 2010 / 2:54 AM)
In the twentieth century, Singaporeans are able to receive education easily. Therefore English became a language whereby most of the people speak as their first language as lessons are taught in English language. The issue of reviewing whether to reduce the weighting of Mother Tongue in the PSLE clearly show that students are now unable to grasp their Mother Tongue well.
By reducing the weighting of Mother Tongue in PSLE, surely, the students would not be so stressed because of the reduction of class curriculum and pressure caused by parents. However, by doing so, students may begin to feel that Mother Tongue is not as important as other subjects thus neglecting it. Students may start to lose interest in their Mother Tongue because of the constant usage of English Language. Eventually, they will not be able to speak fluently in their own Mother Tongue.
Taking Chinese language as an example, if Singaporeans are unable to speak Chinese, they will be at a disadvantageous position. China has turned to become a great influence to the world today. Therefore, if the students now are unable to communicate well in Chinese, cooperating with China’s factories and market would be difficult in future because of the communication barrier with the locals.
In conclusion, it is the students responsibility to master their own mother tongue well, with the help of parents as well as teachers.
-Kaylee Chan
