How to improve english

[shirani]

Hi Luke

I got chance to speak in English for last 3 month. I feel some improvement. Sometimes when I am speaking I feel my vocabulary is not enough to express my feelings. I want to speak very nicely without mistake. I read so many novels after came to Singapore. But I’m still doing mistake. But I don't give up. please tell me how to improve spoken English.

Shirani

[luke]

Practice, practice, practice!

You need a partner you can practice with, someone who isn't afraid to tell you when you make a mistake. Join an English club or English corner and get speaking as much as possible. Experience tells you when you need to learn new types of words, and practice is the way to achieve this.

Being understood is more important that speaking perfect English, so consider that when reading your novels. Vocab is great, but conversation is better.

[benleon]

Hi Shirani,
English is widely spoken in M'sia, especially in an office enviroment.But there is one problem that most of us  don't observe the English grammar.For this reason the English spoken in M'sia is called Manglish. Manglish  does not pose as a problem for us M'sian when communicating face to face, but it is a different matter when using it to interprete a document that is written in full proper English. because each of us will have a different interpretation for one statement. For this reason,  I prefer reading well to speaking fluently.   

Benleon

[benleon]

Hi Luke & Shirani,
To demonstrate the problem of different interpretation which we sometimes have with Manglish, I reproduce below the interpretaion given to a provision and the actual provision as stated in the book. 

.... In this paragraph, "compensation for loss of employment" shall include any payment made by an employer to an employee of his pursuant to a separation scheme where employees are given an option for an early termination of an employement contract provided that such scheme from which payment was made does not expressely or impliedly provide for the employee to be reemployed under any other scheme of employement by the same or any other employer.

The interpretation given
Income tax exemption on payments received by employees pursuant to a separation scheme where employees are given an option for an early termination of an employment contract. The exemption is on condition that such schemes do not expressly or impliedly provide for the employee to be reemployed under any other scheme of employement by the same or any other employer.

Luke, please help. Does the phrase "on condition" in the interpretation part distort the meaning intended in the actual provision?

[luke]

No, I think the meaning is the same (on condition that, provided that). But watch your spelling of employment (not employement) 

[benleon]

Hi Luke,
Thank you, Luke. Referring to the above example again, would it be right to say that from the wordings the provision actually requires the prohibition of reemployment of those who choose the early termination to be explicitly shown in the scheme?

The phrase "on condition" was interpreted differently by us. Some colleagues thought it to be related to the apposition " that such schemes do not expressly or ...."  ,and concluded that the scheme should not contain the prohibition and that the company can reemploy. So, which interpretation is correct? and what could be the cause of this interpretation problem?

Benleon

[luke]

Sure, I still think that 'on condition' has the same meaning as 'only if,' so;

The exemption applies only if such schemes do not expressly or impliedly provide for the employee to be reemployed

But these are legal documents and best handled by an English speaking lawyer (I am not one). The jargon is usually very specific, and has definite meanings. So, my advice is to check it out. I am sure a legal jargon website would take a look at that paragraph for you for free.

[benleon]

Hi Luke,
Thank you, Luke. With your clarification, I am more confident to disagree with my colleagues who are very proud of their Manglish. They cannot accept there are flaw in Manglish which is spoken by them since primary school. As I am a learner of the English langauge, it is quite difficult to convince them. With me using the new phrases you recommended, to convince them this time should not be a problem, I hope. Thank you again.         

Benleon

[luke]

No problem, glad to help if I can.