English in my ACCA studies?

Many Malaysian students pursuing their ACCA studies often asked: "Do I need good English" for my ACCA studies?  

While, like most Malaysians, I do not live in a family where English is the first language. It wasn't even second. All my family members do not speak English save for my sister - able to construct simple sentences. I understand the dilemma - do we need it to excel in our ACCA Professional exams? 

This post might be of some help to you? 

[Originally posted @ my FB on 22nd Feb 2017]

English and my ACCA?

How important is English? Well, it is not the most spoken language, but it is definitely the most widely used, global standard language. It is definitely the most important business communication skill. Imagine that you being a Malaysian working in a Swedish company dealing with a Japanese client where the work-site is located at Uruguay - and you are telling me that English is not important? Then what language are you going to use? Guys - the world is getting more and more connected. (please don't wait for the translation apps because your exam paper does not come with that feature!!)

Why do I raise this English issue? I have been marking test/exam scripts of our ACCA students and I come to notice how some answers were written in an unbearable way. We are not English specialist but we do demand at least, understandable and proper sentence structure. For instance a student wrote "Stakeholders interest are with the company" when what he/she actually wished to say was "stakeholders are those who have interest with the company". And you can see how these 2 sentences have entirely different meaning. Another typical example "please submit the form by 30-April" vs "please submit the form before 30-April"... they are not same.

Please do not be fooled by many out there telling you - hey, ACCA is not about English. You do not need good English to pass. I totally disagree. ACCA is about English when it is an exam in English and how are you suppose to pass your exam, when you can't even express your points/idea? If anyone ever said to you, ACCA is not about English - then please tell that person, yeah... then write the exam in Bahasa? or in Chinese?

So, you really have to face the fact and buck up. You either improve and catch up in this fast moving world or be left behind - no one is going to wait for you. Are you expecting these people to say.. oh your English is not good? Well then, nevermind, let me learn your native language so I speak to you? - you really think this is going to happen? Wake up.

I strongly strongly recommend my students to improve your English. And I believe, it is quite useless to me just to say this without suggesting you some ideas.

Okay...

I have come to notice, many non-English learners (e.g. from Chinese schools) learn English by remembering the meaning of "single-word". Like, searching the dictionary for every single word to find out its meaning. I really find this method is not fruitful at all. With "single-word" you cannot form a sentence.

What you have to learn is PHRASE. not word.

Yes - learn "PHRASES"

Word can have lots of meanings so when applied in different context, they really mean differently. I'm sorry to quote this example, but if someone said "get the shit out of here" - do you literally mean, they want you to take shit out from the room? that "SHIT" does not really mean the "bodily waste that you produced"

I suggest two simple ways for you to start:

1. Chat (as in use whatsapp...etc) - make sure your friend has a better command of English than you. Get your buddy to do this.. "Insist on writing in proper English than your internet terms like "lol".. "eat what ah"..."bored die me"... "movie? what? where?" - you have to stop all these. Get your buddy to "correct" you each time when you typed something wrong... and you can see how fast you can improve.

2. Watch youtube (clips that help you to learn and improve English) as an example... go Youtube and search for "IH Bristol Phrase of the Day". It takes like 1-2 minutes a day to learn something. You don't have to worry about remembering because language is something embedded and it comes naturally when you get used to it. (I remember as a kid, the TV channel used to air the programme "Mind your Language"... maybe you can try that too in youtube. It is really nice)

3. Read. "Strong Vocabulary" definitely helps and the way to build strong vocab is when you read the same words/phrases used in different context,  different situations. You really have lots of choices - Some love reading "sub-titles", "lyrics of songs". I personally love reading the Bible. At times, I switch between different versions to compare them.

Reading - a fast way to improve our English

4. Start your conversation with English whenever you meet someone for the first time. Our mind is very unique - each time, when you meet a person, and the "first language" that is registered in your mind, you automatically converse in that language. You probably notice yourself, speaking in a group with different persons using different languages. (Eg. Sometimes I speak in Cantonese to one, Mandarin to another and English to the third, in the same group - when I know they all can understand all of these languages concurrently). In that case, you shall "Force" yourself to speak English each time when you meet someone new - and naturally you will pick up in your language.

I hope this really help you.

Let's all improve together.