Pain and Pleasure
Scion of Singapore’s longest serving prime minister, Lee Wei Ling reveals snippets of her growing up years in The Sunday Times. Personal experiences of school, tuition and her philosophy on the pains and pleasures of study are put under the spotlight.
Scion of Singapore’s longest serving prime minister, Lee Wei Ling reveals snippets of her growing up years in The Sunday Times. Personal experiences of school, tuition and her philosophy on the pains and pleasures of study are put under the spotlight.
Playing Around
Although the Lee siblings received a "strong grounding” in languages there was still time for play!
Although the Lee siblings received a "strong grounding” in languages there was still time for play!
Chinese Chatter
Wei Ling does not say exactly when Chinese tuition started, but it was well before primary school.
Wei Ling does not say exactly when Chinese tuition started, but it was well before primary school.
Extra Polish
Wei Ling's Prime Minister brother had tuition even after starting primary school but this was for “extra polish,” she says.
Wei Ling's Prime Minister brother had tuition even after starting primary school but this was for “extra polish,” she says.
Chinese Drama
During secondary school Wei Ling had a Chinese tutor but they did not go over the school syllabus. Instead they concentrated on reading classic works. This tutor encouraged her to write articles for publication in the Chinese media.
During secondary school Wei Ling had a Chinese tutor but they did not go over the school syllabus. Instead they concentrated on reading classic works. This tutor encouraged her to write articles for publication in the Chinese media.
Novel Approach
I always pride myself on having a traditional BBC accent, so I was not surprised to hear Wei Ling had attended informal tutorials when someone from the BBC was available. Talking about or reading aloud from novels featured in these tête-à-tête sessions.
I always pride myself on having a traditional BBC accent, so I was not surprised to hear Wei Ling had attended informal tutorials when someone from the BBC was available. Talking about or reading aloud from novels featured in these tête-à-tête sessions.
Queen’s English
Wei Ling reveals the rationale for native speakers: “My father arranged for the daughter of the then British High Commissioner to tutor me. He did not want his children speaking Singlish.”
Wei Ling reveals the rationale for native speakers: “My father arranged for the daughter of the then British High Commissioner to tutor me. He did not want his children speaking Singlish.”
Free Flow
“Free-flowing conversation” was the order of the day. Reading matter included classic literature.
“Free-flowing conversation” was the order of the day. Reading matter included classic literature.
Ring of Confidence
Having worked at the British High Commission for nearly five years as the public affairs officer, I would say that exposure to good quality native speakers does provide an enriching experience, extra polish and a ring of confidence.
Having worked at the British High Commission for nearly five years as the public affairs officer, I would say that exposure to good quality native speakers does provide an enriching experience, extra polish and a ring of confidence.
Uphill Task
For many, mastering one language is no easy feat. For many, mastering more than one than one language is an uphill task!
For many, mastering one language is no easy feat. For many, mastering more than one than one language is an uphill task!
Dressing Down
In the school I attended French was compulsory. One day, the headmaster summoned my mother and me to his office. I had no idea why I had been summoned. Usually you are only summoned in this way if you have done something terribly wrong. I searched my mind but could not think why. My French teacher and headmaster were in stern mood, proceeding to verbally abuse my mother for what seemed to be an eternity about why was I speaking French with an English accent. Was I doing this intentionally?
In the school I attended French was compulsory. One day, the headmaster summoned my mother and me to his office. I had no idea why I had been summoned. Usually you are only summoned in this way if you have done something terribly wrong. I searched my mind but could not think why. My French teacher and headmaster were in stern mood, proceeding to verbally abuse my mother for what seemed to be an eternity about why was I speaking French with an English accent. Was I doing this intentionally?
French Connection
My family went into overdrive to help me with my French. My English teacher and her husband who both could speak French gave me lessons. My father brought French native books including so-called easy-to-read classic novels. He also put me on a Linguaphone course. Thus I did not get through my language studies without extra tuition and help, and without native-speaker input.
My family went into overdrive to help me with my French. My English teacher and her husband who both could speak French gave me lessons. My father brought French native books including so-called easy-to-read classic novels. He also put me on a Linguaphone course. Thus I did not get through my language studies without extra tuition and help, and without native-speaker input.
Get Real
Native speaker input really can give you a leg-up in your language studies.
Native speaker input really can give you a leg-up in your language studies.
Reference: The Sunday Times (The Straits Times), When tuition was optional, by Lee Wei Ling, 23 September 2012
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