Speech by Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Minister for Education and Second Minister for Finance, at the District 80 Semi-Annual Toastmasters Convention, YWCA The Fort Canning Lodge, on Saturday, 17 November 2007, at 9.00 am

SPEECH BY MR THARMAN SHANMUGARATNAM, MINISTER FOR EDUCATION & SECOND MINISTER FOR FINANCE, AT THE DISTRICT 80 SEMI-ANNUAL TOASTMASTERS CONVENTION, YWCA THE FORT CANNING LODGE, ON SATURDAY, 17 NOVEMBER 2007, AT 9:00 AM

1. Good morning, and thank you for inviting me to your convention. I came because I know the ‘Toastmasters’ have done well in helping people become more competent and comfortable in communicating, and good communication is as we all know an increasingly vital skill in the workplace and in life. You do this in a supportive and informal atmosphere, which encourages people to practise and hone their skills in speaking before an audience without fear of embarassment.

2. The Ministry of Education aims to give Singaporeans this advantage, and we start with the young. Let me briefly sketch what is being done to help our students communicate in English not only competently, but confidently and effectively.

3. The present (2001) English Language Syllabus places as much importance on developing listening and speaking skills in the school years as on reading and writing skills. In the next round of the English Language Syllabus, which will commence in 2009, the teaching of listening and speaking skills will also be given more explicit emphasis.

4. We are rolling out a programme for the early years that aims to strengthen oral language, grammar and reading skills. We call it STELLAR, which stands for Strategies for English Language Learning and Reading programme. STELLAR was implemented in 61 schools this year for the lower primary. As pupils progress to the middle and upper primary levels, their oral language development will be supported through more engaging and interactive lessons. Schools will use speech, drama and oral presentations to further nurture fluent and confident speakers.

5. Out teachers will be trained to support this emphasis on listening and speaking skills. We will also continue the current in-service courses for English language teachers in Spoken English, Speech & Drama, and Phonics, helping them fulfil their roles as models of good English usage. What about the other English-medium teachers, for eg those who teach Maths or Science? We will provide in-service courses for them too, to sharpen their Spoken English. We are confident that these measures will enhance the English language environment in schools.

6. The emphasis in the English Language Syllabus is supported by complementary activities in and outside the school compound. Debating, in particular, stand outs as one such activity. Students come to grips with thinking on their feet and getting their points across effectively. It is a matter not just of logic, but of persuasion.

7. Many of you will remember 'The Arena', a televised debate programme for secondary schools last year. MOE worked with MediaCorp on the concept and encouraged our schools to participate in the programme. The popularity of this series can be seen in the jump of 28 school entries in Season 1 to 41 entries for Season 2.

8. In the first half of 2007, MOE also organised exhibition debates at the National Library Board at Ngee Ann City. Open to the public, the exhibition featured both current debaters and alumni of the World Schools Debating Championships. Some are now lawyers and civil servants. Unsurprisingly, a large crowd of lively spectators watched the debates.

9. Apart from debates in the public eye, MOE encourages schools to hold debates within their compounds. To this end, we conduct debate training programmes for schools, and play advisory and adjudicating roles to schools. For example, we recently supported the inaugural 'E1 Primary School Debating Competition' organised by Casuarina Primary School.

10. We also want to bring debates right into the classrooms. In March this year, MOE trained a group of teachers to incorporate debate pedagogies in the classroom. These have gone on to engage learners by teaching through debates. Tampines Secondary School, for example, has infused several debate techniques in its Food and Nutrition course.

11. Apart from debates, MOE supports other efforts toward communicating well in English. Since its inception, MOE has been a key partner of Speak Good English Movement (SGEM). This year, SGEM has assembled a School Resource Kit, providing material for use during lessons and school assembly, a list of recommended books in the English language, and other resources for the promotion of good English.

12. The Plain English Speaking Award, mainly organised by the YMCA of Singapore, also sees support from MOE, the National Library Board and SGEM as co-organisers. This annual contest provides an avenue for students to sharpen their speaking skills and build confidence in public presentation. It is heartening to see the competition receiving the highest number of participants this year, with a record number of 206 participants from pre-schools all the way up to the pre-university and polytechnic levels.

13. MOE’s Educational Technology Division is also collaborating with SGEM on the inaugural Schools Digital Media Awards.[1] Prizes will be awarded to the best media clips (video, audio or animation) which promote the “Speak Good English” message. All these efforts have a simple goal -- to help the young enjoy using the language and to do so effectively.