Kuala Lumpur: Mastering a second or third language is no longer merely a pastime; it is a crucial key to advancing one's career and promoting cross-cultural collaboration.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the founder and chief executive officer of Kunkwan International Mandarin Training Centre, Kent Ng Kun Kwan, emphasizes that picking up Mandarin as an additional language can significantly enhance an individual's value, especially in the realm of international business. Ng points out that historical evidence from the 16th to the 18th centuries shows the importance of language mastery, citing French and English as dominant economic languages of those times.
Ng notes that today, learning English and Mandarin continues to be vital for business collaboration with China, the world's second-largest economic entity. He recalls Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's statement that Mandarin has become an economic language, advocating for the learning of other languages to bolster economic strength.
On Bernama TV's 'The Nation: Learning Mandarin In Today's World', Ng explains that people learn languages as tools for communication and cultural connection. He attributes the success of his language centre, recognized in The Malaysia Book of Records for Most Students Enrolled in a Mandarin Language Course in a Year, to its straightforward approach that prioritizes listening and speaking over reading and writing.
Ng describes how KunKwan's learning methodology focuses on practical skills like creating videos, speaking on camera, and sending voice messages, rather than traditional writing assignments. He highlights that language is intrinsically linked to culture, offering insights into various ethnic groups in Malaysia.
Ng also emphasizes the cultural and cross-cultural activities at KunKwan, which foster respect and understanding among different communities. He shares examples of celebrating festivals like Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, and Deepavali to promote unity and multiculturalism, which he views as Malaysia's strength.
Since its establishment in 2013, KunKwan has enrolled 370,000 students from countries including Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Brunei, making it the largest international Mandarin training centre in Southeast Asia.