The Benefits Of Bilingual Education
Language impacts the daily lives of members of any race, creed, and region of the world. Language helps express our feelings, desires, and queries to the world around us. Words, gestures and tone are utilized in union to portray a broad spectrum of emotion. The unique and diverse methods human beings can use to communicate through written and spoken language is a large part of what allows to harness our innate ability to form lasting bonds with one another, separating mankind from the rest of the animal kingdom. Have you ever heard about bilingual education? Raise your hand if you know about bilingualism.
According to The New York Times, speaking two languages rather than just one has obvious practical benefits in an increasingly globalized world. But in recent years, scientists have begun to show that the advantages of bilingualism are even more fundamental than being able to converse with a wider range of people. Being bilingual, it turns out, makes you smarter. It can have a profound effect on your brain, improving cognitive skills not related to language and even shielding against dementia in old age. Mastering these three languages can be the greatest asset for someone as to advance further into the future. Therefore, the secondary languages that worth studying today are Mandarin, Korean and Japanese. Mandarin languages play a big role in worldwide business. This is because most in large companies are monopolize by the Chinese. The BBC News has reported that China’s economy grew by 6. 9% in the first quarter of 2017. China is a key driver of the global economy and so the better than expected data is likely to cheer investors around the world. Due to globalisation of local markets and economies, able to speak mandarin will afford you many business advantages. Chief Statistician Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Dr. Mohd Uzir Mahidin has stated that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) was mainly from Hong Kong and China has invest RM7. 5b and RM6. 9b. Due to this situation, people that able to speak mandarin language has specialty in career that easily involved him in Chinese business market. The Mandarin speakers can penetrate markets in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, the Malay speakers can look after Indonesia, the biggest market in the Asean region, and the Malaysian Indians can make their mark in India. When we work together, we can become very powerful. We should make full use of our combined strength. In the other hand, most of the big company in Malaysia like banking sector, embassy department and so on was overlook for workers who has ability to speak mandarin.
Proficiency Mandrin will make someone more attractive employment option. According to Tuty Hariati Kassim, student of Kong Zi Institute Universiti Malaya (KZIUM) said the younger generation, knowing Mandarin can open more doors for job opportunities and knowing an extra language makes her life easier. Apart of being successful in business, people who learn mandarin languages have a good etiquette because they are influence by Chinese culture. As we know, mostly Chinese are well known with their discipline manner, hardworking and meticulous person in their life. This statement is supported by Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr Mahathir said Chinese are hardworking, intelligent and have knowledge in business through Malaysia Today Online, Sept 1, 2018. In addition, through observation during my studies, when we had discussion on some topic together with Chinese friends, they made more brilliant ideas and tend to be more friendly with us especially to those can speak mandarin languages fluently. They also become more comfortable to exchange ideas with us.
The importance of learning Mandarin was highlighted by Perak delegate Datuk Dr Wan Norashikin Wan Noordin at the recent UMNO General Assembly said to build a closer relationship with China so as to enhance the existing bilateral trade, we need more high caliber Malaysians who are proficient in Mandarin to carry out the task. To simplify, learning mandarin languages will add some value in your business and guarantee your future success. Equally important, according to Reza Al Junaid in Utusan Online stated, ”he confident the Malays will grow stronger if they can master mandarin and indirectly the Malays can absorb the Malay culture to the world stage more effectively”. In addition, based on my personal observation, the trends of the Malays who sent their children to the Chinese Schools such as reported by newspaper showed that the change in the attitude of the Malays towards Chinese was getting better and now the Malays do not see the Chinese from the negative side anymore.
Next, Korean languages is my second choice that worth to learn. Why Korean? As we know Korean is one of the beautiful place that spot on earth. For example, Jeju Island, a place for nature beauty and recently categorised in New 7 Wonders Of Nature. I believe, some of audience in front of me are interested to visit Jeju Island but you have to know that being able to speak Korean, will ease your journey and become worthy. If you’re planning to travel to Korea, then you definitely should put some effort into learning the language. It doesn’t matter if you’re staying for a week or several months, learning Korean can help you find your way around, and adapt to the culture and society. You will be able to communicate with tour guides, business owners, and locals, which will allow you to have a better overall travel experience. Plus, you will feel much more comfortable in a foreign place if you’re able to understand the native language. For example, we can easily access as we able to speak Korean about their nation’s obsession with skincare, music, fashion, learning how to make kimchi and other Korean foods. In addition, there are 48. 5 million speakers of Korean in the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and another 23. 3 million in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea). Besides that, Korean is spoken by some 2. 7 million people in Chinese provinces bordering North Korea. Korean speakers are also found in large numbers in Japan and Russia, the U. S., Singapore, Thailand, and many other countries throughout the world. The total number of Korean speakers worldwide is estimated to be around 77. 2 million. Instead of visiting Korean, learning Korean languages also can build diplomatic relationship with Korea and this allow us to access and transferring their new technology to our country. For example, Smartphone News: Samsung Beats Apple in 2017 Sales website, Feb 23, 2018 state Samsung became the leading smartphone manufacturer in 2017 sales, ahead of its rival, Apple. The South Korean company sold 321 million smartphones, 15 million more than in 2017, whereas Apple sold 214. 9 million units, one million less than in 2016. Samsung's global sales share grew to 20. 9 percent from 20. 5 percent in 2016.
Not only this, speaking Korean can be an asset. Academically, speaking Korean can open a lot of doors. Socially, speaking Korean can lead to a lot of friends and connections. For your information, Korea is the most innovative country in the world, according to a Bloomberg report Jan 23, 2018. It’s been considered the world’s most innovative economy for five years in a row, easily beating Japan (6th) and the US (11th). Due to this opportunity, people who able to speak Korean languages could help make your career or business more relevant in the future. This is because Korea is already one of the strongest economies in Asia, and if trends continue, learning Korean could be just as important as learning Mandarin for business and career prospects.
At the same time, Japanese languages are worth studying today. By studying Japanese languages, we able to access to their technology industrial. One of the example is in robotic technology which is Japan Wants Robots To Help Build Its Skyscrapers, Pavel Apeyev, April, 2018 stated Industrial robots are everywhere in manufacturing, with more than 2 million operating on factory floors worldwide. In car assembly, as many as one robot per five workers are on factory floors, according to the International Federation of Robotics. Construction sites present tougher challenges, because of their unpredictable environments and the presence of humans. Automation efforts have been limited to the periphery, such as using drones to keep track of building materials. For example Shimizu’s Robo-Carrier automated forklift is equipped with laser rangefinders to navigate environments, not unlike the technology used in self-driving cars. The machine was able to safely maneuver in a room full of reporters and TV cameras during a demonstration at the company’s research center in east Tokyo. In brief, learning Japanese languages can help us to communicate and explore their technology also apply their technology knowledge to develop our country comparable to Japan.
Furthermore, i believe that 99 percent the audience in front of me using smartphone. Is it right? Have u imagine how your smartphone display work? This advance technology actually comes from the invention of blue LEDs from Japan. According to BBC News online, Jonathan Webb, Oct 7, 2014 reported Professors Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano and Shuji Nakamura made the first blue LEDs in the early 1990s. This enabled a new generation of bright, energy-efficient white lamps, as well as colour LED screens. The winners will share prize money of eight million kronor (£0. 7m). They were named at a press conference in Sweden, and join a prestigious list of 196 other Physics laureates recognised since 1901. Without them, the three colours could not be mixed to produce the white light we now see in LED-based computer and TV screens. Furthermore, the high-energy blue light could be used to excite phosphorus and directly produce white light the basis of the next generation of light bulb. Today, blue LEDs are found in people's pockets around the world, inside the lights and screens of smartphones. Therefore, learning Japanese languages not only increase our knowledge but also we can communicate very well to the inventor to sharing how their creativity to create a new invention. So that, it can make our country build up fast. As we can see Malaysia lack of machine inventor to produce our own product which is comparable to Japanese product.
Next, I am sure your childhood not complete without this Japanese animation. The most popular anime are doremon, hello kitty, detective Conan and many more. Do you know who is father of anime? Osamu Tezuka became a cartoonist and released his first work Shintakarajima known in English as New Treasure Island. As a child, Tezuka was a fanatical fan of Walt Disney's early animations. Many were impressed by Tezuka's original style. However, it was not until Tezuka released his ultimate work Tetsuwan Atomu (Astro Boy) that he achieved success and he was pronounced "the Father of Manga and Anime”. So that, we should make Japan as a role model in anime industry and also we can produce a better quality of animation. Therefore, we need to learn Japanese languages to make sure them comfortable with us during communicate and indirectly they do not hesitate to share their ideas, knowledge and their strategy in making film with us.
Last but not least, during your vacation, surely you will learn about their culture and history but it will be more meaningful if you can understand their language. According to Fatimah in BERNAMA online said, “it may be a good time to deal or travel abroad and it can be a good preparation if you can master some basic words because of it can help you in matters such as asking for drinks and food and asking for guidance and directions, when we are fluent in the foreign language, we also can communicate with the local people there and this will make your holiday more exciting”. In addition, According to 138 Types of Japanese Culture stated “By learning their languages, we also can appreciate more about their culture such as their food, Onsen which is Japanese hot spring baths that are surrounded in a number of customs and traditions, kimono is a type of traditional Japanese clothing that consists of layers of robes made of silk, silk brocade or weaved satin, temple and shrines which is Japan has around 100, 000 Shinto shrines and 80, 000 Buddhist temples, tea ceremony which is the pursuit of an aesthetic ideal in the humble act of preparing, serving and appreciating tea, bowing which is Japan has a rich tradition of bowing for greetings, rituals, ceremonies and apology and Japanese garden which is Japan has dozens of unique garden styles that are tied to other elements of Japanese culture such as Buddhism, Tea Ceremony and Japanese aesthetics”. By learning Japanese culture, we can practice their positive attribute such as discipline, respectful, cleanliness and helpful in our work environment. For example, respectful which is they always showed their respect by bowing to everyone. Besides that, in Japan, there seems to be a general obsession with cleanliness, and it really makes it a pleasant place to be. Children are taught to value the cleanliness of their community at a young age as many schools in Japan give students the job of keeping their school clean. Equally important, according to Fatimah Mansur in BERNAMA online said, ” without the ability to communicate and understand a culture in its own language, there is no opportunity and space for understanding their culture, lack of understanding can lead to feelings of disbelief and not ability to cooperate with them”.
In conclusion, learning secondary languages like Mandarin, Korean and Japanese give us a lot of benefits not only to ourselves but to the country as well. Apart from these three languages, we also can learn other languages. There are so many advantages of being bilingual such as has positive effect on the brain, give you educational advantage, highly value in work place, speak more than one language make us more open minded, beneficial when we travel, open up new social opportunities, increased empathy, increased out of the box thinking, increased overall cognitive performance and the interesting part is we can protect against cognitive decline and dementia. So, no matter what your age, learning a second language is massively beneficial. Before i end up my speech, i would like to give you some tips how to be fluent in a languages in 6 month or less. For example, learn from local TV, movies and music, write it by jot down the things you remembered hearing but didn’t quite understand after having conversation, then go back and use your dictionary and look up the words, piece the conversation back together in your mind. We also can go for tuition class and slowly learning bilingual languages, try to use the bilingual languages everyday such as take flashcards with you and study them during your train or bus commute. Besides that, parents should play their role by encouraging their children from childhood to learn secondary languages which are sent them to the Chinese school.
