It's possible with English as master language
The New Paper
Monday, Sep 19, 2011
Former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew said yesterday - on his 88th birthday - that he is convinced bilingualism is possible in Singapore, with English as a master language.
The education system is structured in such a way that children are exposed to two languages from the time they enter kindergarten.
His latest remark on bilingualism follow an earlier emphasis on the importance of English as a working language.
The "political and economic realities" was why English was chosen as the nation's working language, MrLee said at the opening of the English Language Institute of Singapore last week.
The choice of the language had helped Singapore grow economically.
Yesterday, at the launch of the Chinese edition of his best-seller, Lee Kuan Yew: Hard Truths To Keep Singapore Going, Mr Lee disclosed that he was not totally immersed in the Chinese language and found it a constant struggle.
But the former Minister Mentor said he wanted the book to be translated into Chinese, to cater to the needs of older Singaporeans, many of whom do not read English.
The book, based on 16 interviews that Singapore Press Holdings journalists had with him, touches on a range of issues - from global and domestic challenges to his personal life.
Speaking first in Mandarin, Mr Lee said that while it was vital to be bilingual, knowing a third language like Malay would be a bonus. It would help in interactions with countries like Malaysia and Indonesia.
The New Paper
Monday, Sep 19, 2011
Former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew said yesterday - on his 88th birthday - that he is convinced bilingualism is possible in Singapore, with English as a master language.
The education system is structured in such a way that children are exposed to two languages from the time they enter kindergarten.
His latest remark on bilingualism follow an earlier emphasis on the importance of English as a working language.
The "political and economic realities" was why English was chosen as the nation's working language, MrLee said at the opening of the English Language Institute of Singapore last week.
The choice of the language had helped Singapore grow economically.
Yesterday, at the launch of the Chinese edition of his best-seller, Lee Kuan Yew: Hard Truths To Keep Singapore Going, Mr Lee disclosed that he was not totally immersed in the Chinese language and found it a constant struggle.
But the former Minister Mentor said he wanted the book to be translated into Chinese, to cater to the needs of older Singaporeans, many of whom do not read English.
The book, based on 16 interviews that Singapore Press Holdings journalists had with him, touches on a range of issues - from global and domestic challenges to his personal life.
Speaking first in Mandarin, Mr Lee said that while it was vital to be bilingual, knowing a third language like Malay would be a bonus. It would help in interactions with countries like Malaysia and Indonesia.