MIRI: Students should practise speaking English in their daily conversation as a way to improve their command of the language.

Assistant Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin made the call when launching the Highly Immersive Programme (HIP) at SJK(C) Chung Hua Krokop Miri yesterday.

“We commonly know that practice makes perfect. However, I also know that many of those who come from Chinese-speaking families and attending Chinese schools are too shy to speak English, for fear they will be laughed at due to grammatical mistake. But you must understand that without practice, you’ll never achieve the perfection when conversing in English and the more you use it, the more confident you will be,” he advised.

He added that the state government’s move to introduce English language as second official language was clearly a right direction to take, especially with the state’s drive towards digital economy.

“Nowadays, whichever technology gadget you use, they usually display their information in English. To keep on par with the modern world, learning the language is the key. Hence, practise more and speak more,” he reminded.

With the launch of the HIP, students and teachers are required to speak only English in the school compound on every Friday.

In her welcoming speech, headmistress Tang Suk Hung said that this would be their first step in encouraging students to converse in English.

The English Highly Immersive Programme (HIP) was introduced last year by the state Education Department with the objectives to develop highly immersive English language environment in schools that support English language learning; to encourage students’ participation in related school activities and to increase student proficiency in the English language in and outside of classroom.

“Teachers need to take the lead to encourage students to learn to speak up in English and slowly from there, when they have the confidence they need, they will surely progress well,” she said.