In the news: English Literature as a subject is on the brink of extinction in schools, as highlighted by StarEdu on Aug 25.
English Literature has profoundly shaped my world view.
For the past six years, I have immersed myself in English Literature, having taken the subject in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) exams.
Now a second-year English Language and Literature student at university, I would like to shed light on what English Literature truly entails, as well as share my learning journey, as I have come to realise that many people don’t know much about this subject.
I wasn’t a top student, but with the support of my friends and teachers, Mrs Anusuya Theasinggerajan and Mr Emmanuel Gerard Dorai, I managed to score a B+ in the SPM exam.
My love for Literature did not end there; it began to flourish like a pearl forming inside an oyster.
This growing passion led me to further my English Literature studies as an STPM student, where I met Mrs Suriya Kumari Chandradass, an experienced teacher who deepened my understanding of the subject.
Many students have the mindset that English Literature is incredibly tough due to the complex vocabulary and the study of old texts from the 15th and 18th centuries and beyond.
It is true that the subject can be challenging, but you can improve by seeking help from your teachers and friends who are good at English.
When I first studied the subject in Form Four, I was not even proficient in English, but I decided to challenge myself.
Once you start delving into English Literature, its beauty begins to unfold. You will discover how magnificent language is, and you will gain the ability to relate the past, present and future by analysing themes and issues in the readings. I ended up scoring an A- in the STPM. I could not believe it!
It made me realise that nothing is impossible if you have courage, determination and belief in yourself.
Just because you’re not very good at English does not mean you can’t study English Literature. Don’t let fear hold you back, even if you don’t feel very confident in your mastery of the language.
Being good at English doesn’t necessarily make you a great writer; sometimes, overconfidence can lead you astray. I would like to encourage those of you who love reading, analysing, and learning more about life to give English Literature a chance.
Studying English Literature doesn’t mean that your career options are limited to teaching. Many graduates venture into diverse fields such as law, journalism, public relations and editing.
Critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills gained from studying English Literature are invaluable and transferable to a wide range of careers. Indeed, it is a subject that can open up a world of opportunities.
MOHAMAD HARIZ MOHD KAMIL
Universiti Sains Malaysia
