Q1 - TLT Assignment

Q1: In your opinion, what is the status of English Language in Malaysia?

            In my opinion the status of the English language is improving from time to time. The usage of the English language has become very important as the growth of private economical sectors in Malaysia is increasing. On top of that, English is widely spoken by most Indians and Chinese residents in Malaysia. However even the locals (Malays) are becoming fluent – especially those whom are from the urban areas – using the language.

            Over the years, English has become a very demanding language all over the world. In fact, the English language is known also as the international language. Everyone in the world is picking up the language. In Malaysia none the less, the language has been given a lot of attention too. Education wise, all English language teachers in Malaysia have been constantly improving their teaching methods, techniques and approach to make sure that all students can speak, listen, read, write and understand the language fluently as well as accurately. However, I would remind that the latest method that is famously used by all teachers is the CLT (Communicative Language Teaching) method. This method focuses more on fluency than it focuses on accuracy. Many believe that students would catch up on the language much quickly and understand how to use the language accurately by communicating the language. However, this statement is arguable.

            The status of the English language in Malaysia as said earlier is improving in time and I would say that eventually all Malaysian will be fluent and accurate in using the language as all our educators are improving themselves as well. Not only are our educators are improving, our citizens have grown aware of the importance of the language as well. Parents especially have been intense about the usage of the language. Most parents from the urban areas and are of sophisticated lifestyle are training their children to speak the language from a very young age. Some of those children’s first language believe or not is English and even their mother tongue becomes their second language and not their first language. Therefore, I would say, we wait and watch the changes that bring in the form of language in our country.