Unpopular opinion: I really do think there should be a basic English requirement test for all foreigners wanting to become citizens.
Sg is really forgiving and understanding when it comes to foreign talents. It’s becoming a bit unfair to us locals. At work, we need to switch from channel 5 to channel 8 quick when a prc colleague switches channel as and when he or she cannot converse in English. Many times our Indian boss just look at us and we have to become instant MFA translators to fill the gaps.
In queues for food and other stuff, we also sometimes have to become instant translators for ppl who cannot converse in english to the service crew over the counter. A few times the macik at old Chang kee just looked at me to ask for help when a prc wants a curry puff or a stick of fishballs but cannot say it properly.
While I love being bilingual or semi trilingual, it really helps that they know what they are getting themselves into when they migrate to sg. Sg may be predominantly chinese populated, but somehow I got the vibes that they are exploiting this to get into the country.
Some social science ppl will say, what about the older generation that cannot English? In the first place, why are we even comparing our grandparents or senior citizens who have already been in the country for so long, to those that have just entered or are planning to enter sg to live long term? Why are we pinning them against outsiders that want to become part of our society/community? To put it bluntly, there’s no need to use our oldies (who have long earned their places locally) to compare with the newbies. Earn and work it.
Then some will say English tests are repetitive and can be exploited. Then switch it up? Just like psle. And I’m not even saying the English needs to be British level, cos we all know sg English ain’t that level too. All I’m saying is, basic English standards so that there is minimal language barriers with others. And I hear my social science ppl say again, why can’t we accommodate to them instead? Then my rebuttal will be, why can’t they accommodate to us? 入乡随俗. Heck I’m using their own indiom to explain the concept. Then what about our service ppl and neighbours who aren’t chinese and need not learn chinese? Is it fair to them?
Whatever, I can’t say for everyone but for me, I’m starting to feel more like a foreigner in my own country.