English is the way forward

I READ with disbelief the letter, “Teach English as a subject” by Prof Datuk Ir Wan Ramli Wan Daud (The Star, June 8). The learned professor’s letter was in response to earlier letters by Senator Khairul Azwan Harun and Thomas Kok. Those letters were well thought out, with concrete suggestions for improving the declining standard of English in Malaysia. However, the letter written by the learned professor is the one that is “preposterous” and riddled with unsubstantiated claims and sweeping statements.

The professor stated, “The main problem is, of course, the low English proficiency of teachers and the rote learning way of teaching it”. I beg to differ. The main problem is the lack of exposure to the language which can be addressed as suggested by reverting to English as the medium of instruction or at least for PPSMI.