ALTHOUGH Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew admits that it took the Government 30 years to get the teaching of Mandarin correct in schools here ('Bilingual policy was most difficult', Tuesday), that period was not a total waste, at least not for me.

Growing up in a Mandarin-speaking family, learning English as a language and subject was a struggle but it was not an obstacle in understanding other subjects taught in English.

Despite my less-than-expert command of the language, I made it to the National University of Singapore, and Britain where I acquired my master's degree.

The problem with teaching of language in school is our culture of failing students, which may not be the right way to raise their motivation. When teachers are too harsh on their students, instead of motivating them, they affect their morale altogether.

Whenever I introduce myself as a Singaporean during work-related travel abroad, our reputation as a bilingual (and for some, multilingual) nation is often admired and envied.

My sense is that once a Singaporean travels abroad, the linguistic instincts kick in advantageously and help us navigate in foreign countries much more easily, regardless of our bilingual standards.

Some of our neighbours now realise the importance of acquiring a second language, but it is not easy. Singapore already has a bilingual environment, which, in hindsight, is a blessing.

I hope the younger generation will continue to pursue and acquire a second language consistently, because it gives us that much of an edge over monolingual countries.

Yeo Sok Yee (Miss)

This article was first published in The Straits Times.