Take English seriously for long term personal, professional success
We need to do something to make young Malaysians see why it is important to be fluent in English.
A recent TikTok video carried the caption, "Why did I fail English? Because I'm Malay, Not British". People reacted strongly to the statement.
Generally speaking, students focus only on passing English in examinations. They fail to see how mastering the language is crucial in their education and careers, and in international communication.
Some think Bahasa Malaysia is enough for daily life and assume English is useful only in English-speaking countries.
This mindset ignores how English allows us to access global knowledge, build connections and stay competitive in the job market.
Not knowing the language well enough will also limit other opportunities, such as studying abroad, scholarship eligibility and participation in global events.
Learning English does not mean giving up Bahasa Malaysia or other local languages.
It is about preparing people to succeed in a globalised world.
DANINAS HEZRY
Cyberjaya
* The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times