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This year's key message is simply - "I can". Said Minister Lim Boon Heng, "There are times when Singaporeans complain, but if we stop to take stock of our achievements, all that we have accomplished in the short time we have been a nation, we should look back and say that nothing is impossible. So yes, I can, you can and we can, speak and use good English, as individuals and as a nation."
Speaking at the official launch of the Speak Good English Movement 2008, Mr Lim, Minister, Prime Minister's Office, highlighted the key findings of a survey on speaking good English. The survey was conducted by Singapore Polytechnic in 2007, and comprised more than 1200 Singaporeans aged between 15-39 years.
Individuals surveyed were asked to rate themselves on their ability to speak good English. Sixty-six percent said they are speaking better English compared to two years ago. Their main motivations were to express themselves better and to be better understood by others.
When asked what they considered barriers to speaking good English, respondents indicated that the top three factors were: their non-English speaking environment; family, friends and co-workers who did not speak good English; and their own poor command of the language.
Most respondents surveyed said that attending courses and workshops motivated them to improve their ability to speak English. They also felt that leisure activities such as reading, watching television and listening to the radio would help them learn to speak better English.
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