18 August 2001

SPEECH BY RADM (NS) TEO CHEE HEAN, MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND SECOND MINISTER FOR DEFENCE AT THE SINGAPORE PLAIN ENGLISH SPEAKING AWARD (2001) PRESENTATION CEREMONY ON SATURDAY, 18 AUGUST 2001 AT YMCA AUDITORIUM, 1 ORCHARD ROAD AT 5.10 PM

1. Good afternoon. I am happy to be here today for the Singapore Plain English Speaking Award (PESA) 2001 Presentation Ceremony.

2. This is the fifth year that the YMCA of Singapore and the Ministry of Education are jointly organising the Singapore Plain English Speaking Award competition with the support of the Toastmasters Clubs of Singapore. I commend the YMCA and the Toastmasters Clubs for investing their time and resources in successfully organising this annual competition.

3. The objectives of the Plain English Speaking Award competition are to encourage the use of good English and develop confidence in public speaking. This competition gives participants the opportunity to hone their speaking skills, organise the content of their speeches, speak with spontaneity, enunciate and deliver their views with confidence.

4. This ability to communicate effectively to an audience is an invaluable skill in school and in the working world today. Since the aim of communication is to convey ideas and meaning, it is important that we convey them clearly and without ambiguity. There has to be sensitivity in our choice and use of words so as not to offend or confuse others. The words chosen should convey our meaning to our listeners as plainly as possible.

5. The challenge for the participants today was to be able to use English to inform, to entertain, to persuade and convince their listeners to accept a particular point of view or idea or to enjoy an anecdote or story. How well they have done this requires speaking and presentation skills, self-confidence, a good command of the English language, and a lot of practice. This Plain English Speaking Award competition has provided the opportunity for students to use English that is easily understood, courteous and unaffected.

6. English is our working language and the language of instruction in our schools. It is the common language of communication between people from different ethnic communities and from different parts of the world. Singaporeans should learn and know how to speak a standard variety of English that is intelligible to all users of the English language.

7. Language habits are formed when we are young, and these habits characterise the way we speak. It takes guidance and practice for our students to be able to speak English clearly and present their ideas convincingly.

8. I am glad that the YMCA is collaborating with the Ministry of Education in its effort to encourage clear spoken English. Grassroots clubs, community groups and organisations such as the YMCA, the People's Association and the Toastmasters Clubs can organise activities and programmes to help raise the standard of spoken English among Singaporeans of all ages.

9. Finally, let me offer my congratulations to all the participants and the teachers who have coached them. Of the four main language skills - listening, speaking, reading and writing - speaking requires the greatest amount of risk-taking. This is especially so for public speaking. From the moment you speak, those around you will know it if you have made a slip in your speech. You also never know how your audience will react to what you say.

10. Therefore, I congratulate all of you. Whether you have won an award or not, you are young speakers of courage. You have dared to stand up to speak and communicate a point of view. You have taken up the challenge to speak English clearly and effectively.