Speech by Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education, at the Finals of the Malay Language Competitions Organised by the Malay Language Unit, Ministry of Education, In Conjuction with the Malay Language Month 2006, on Saturday, 5 August 2006, at 9.00 am, at Bedok View Secondary School Hall

SPEECH BY MR MASAGOS ZULKIFLI, SENIOR PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, AT THE FINALS OF THE MALAY LANGUAGE COMPETITIONS ORGANISED BY THE MALAY LANGUAGE UNIT, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MALAY LANGUAGE MONTH 2006, ON SATURDAY, 5 AUGUST 2006, AT 9.00 AM, AT BEDOK VIEW SECONDARY SCHOOL HALL

(Speech delivered in Malay)

Main Points:

1. The organisation of Malay Language (ML) competitions for primary and secondary students provide good platforms for ML to improve the use of standard Malay and to deepen their appreciation in Malay literature and culture.

2. Teachers need to provide conducive learning environment for students to use the ML spontaneously and effectively in an authentic setting, within and beyond the classroom. The teaching of ML should not be confined to the teaching of vocabulary and grammar. Students need to be provided with opportunities to apply what they have learnt and engaged in a discussion using ML effectively and confidently.

3. The Story-telling Competition for Primary school pupils and Book Review Competition for Secondary school students are in line with the Malay Language Curriculum and Pedagogy Review (MLCPRC) recommendations to promote oral proficiency and reading among ML students.

4. MLCPRC recommended that Sebutan Baku be re-emphasised and used more widely in official situations or functions[1]. The standardisation of pronunciation in ML is carried out after we had focused on the standardisations of the spelling system, terminology, grammar and vocabulary in ML. The use of sebutan baku in schools helps our students in their learning, especially in spelling and reading.

5. With the setting up of MLLPC and funding support from the government, more opportunities will be provided to promote the use of ML. We must take advantage of this provision in our effort to enthuse our students in learning the ML to as high a level as they are capable of and develop in them an abiding interest in the language, literature and culture.

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[1] The MLCPRC calls for the strengthening of sebutan baku (pg. 45, chap. 7, para 13 - 'the committee proposes renewed emphasis on Bakuthrough the activities coordinated by the MLCS and the other organisation'. Sebutan Baku is based on the phonetics system i.e. each sound is represented by only one written symbol and each written symbol represents only one sound.