Speak Good English Movement

• Madam Tan Peck Hua, retired Chinese Teacher, aged 70.

In school, Madam Tan often remembers failing the subject of English. During her time, she recounts, people were generally uninterested in learning English, and she didn’t have the motivation to do so either. After retiring, Madam Tan found time on her hands and decided to take up the reading classes offered by WISH. Besides having Mrs Lau as a good and encouraging teacher, another plus point about WISH is the relaxing and less intimidating atmosphere of learning English as the other students share a similar non-English background like her.

• Madam Tee Poh Eng, cleaning lady and devoted grandma, aged 66.

Besides the English lessons in primary school and the set of $550 English cassette tapes she bought in 1979 (which she admits put her to sleep), Madam Tee had no other opportunity to learn or practice the language. After being introduced to WISH by her son, Madam Tee is making steady progress. Probably the best benefit about learning English is that Madam Tee can now communicate with her 4-year-old grandson. Through the shared language of English, they have grown closer. This newfound knowledge is also helping her at work where can now better communicate with her non-Chinese colleagues and understand simple questions.

• Madam Lim Bee Lay, Housewife and youngest student at WISH, in her 40s.

Previously working as a florist, Madam Lim handled many enquiries over the phone. While she could understand customers who spoke in simple English, Madam Tee always had to pass the phone to her boss when she came across more difficult words and complicated requests. Reflecting back on these times when she was unable to communicate with her customers, she feels sad. After joining WISH for two years, Madam Tee is now able to speak to her in-laws who speak English most of the time. Madam Tee also used to bring her daughter for the classes, something that has benefited both mother and daughter in learning English.

Meet the teacher!

• Mrs Lau, full-time housewife and dedicated teacher at WISH.

To Mrs Lau, there is no end to learning no matter how old one is. During the classes, Mrs Lau teaches the ladies basic conversational English that includes consonants and vowels. She also uses library resources and books related to each topic during her lessons. The popularity of Mrs Lau is evident as she shared that some of the ladies’ husbands are also eager to join her reading lessons, however she has to turn them away as the classes are strictly for ladies. What’s more, the 11 students who were there for the interview read out a prepared speech to Mrs Lau as a surprise halfway through the interview! “Mrs Lau has volunteered a lot of her time and effort to help us learn English. She is a good teacher. We would like to thank her. Thank you! Mrs Lau!”

Enthusiastically reciting their prepared and heartfelt thank you speech for Mrs Lau.

Mrs Lau (standing) making sure that her students receive all the guidance and encouragement they need to learn the basics of reading. Seated from left: Madam Tee Poh Eng, Madam Lim Bee Lay and Madam Tan Peck Hua.

Shree Ann Mathavan (left) from The New Paper interviewing the students of WISH.

Do you know of anyone who would benefit from the WISH programme? Contact WISH at 6455 1218 or email wish@srl.org.sg.