Learning the English language is not just about knowing mathematical and scientific terms in English. It's much more than that.

Although the recent announcement by the Education Ministry that Mathematics and Science will be taught in English for students commencing Year 1, Form 1 and Lower Six, is certainly welcomed, it is hoped that this positive step forward for the country will not find its way to a dead-end. Studying the two subjects in English must be seen as only a first small step towards the creation of a nation that can communicate effectively and confidently in English.

With the undeniable fact that English is now the language of the world, it is imperative that we Malaysians must embrace this move by the Malaysian government to improve our command of the English language. In fact, we Malaysians have an advantage as we can be said to have a basic English foundation, thanks to our English colonisers, and we should not let this advantage go to waste.

It is actually a shame to see the eroding grasp of the English language by Malaysians today. In the past, most Malaysians could write and speak fluently and confidently in English. The older generation can certainly attest to this. One can actually notice that many from the older generation speak and write beautiful English even today.

It is thus sad that in a span of 40 years since independence, many Malaysians of the younger generation have lost the ability to even converse in basic English. Not because they don't understand English but mainly because they lack the confidence to express themselves in English. This is largely due to the fact that very little emphasis is placed by our school system on English and thus very few opportunities are available to them to practise what they have learnt in their English lessons. Teaching Mathematics and Science in English will hopefully bring about change for the better.

Language is about communication. Learning and mastering a language means being able to communicate effectively and confidently with another in that language. Any language, and English in particular, cannot be learnt by memorising grammatical structures, language rules, mathematical formulas or scientific terms. To learn a language, one needs to read, write, listen and most importantly speak.

To be able to communicate effectively in English means being able to read between the lines #8212 to catch the hidden meanings behind what is written or said to you. It also means being able to write or communicate one's ideas clearly and convincingly — to be able to convey humour, sarcasm, disappointment, joy or remorse whenever a situation warrants it.

Reading books in English does not just mean reading the words that are written in English but being able to understand the message that the writer is looking to convey to the reader whether it be character studies, plots or even politics.

It is thus vital that Malaysian schools must include in their curriculum the study of English literature. The reading habit especially that of English books must also be inculcated amongst students through the setting up of libraries and encouragement by teachers.

The school environment must be revamped to encourage students to communicate in English but more importantly, parents must be made to understand that education starts at home and as such be encouraged to speak to their children not only in their mother tongue but also in English.

The government should also take steps to encourage their civil servants to embrace English as a means of communication.

And, I believe and am confident, that all this can be done without compromising the fact that Bahasa Melayu is and will remain the national language of our country.