I REFER to the recent complaints in the newspapers about foreign workers who cannot speak English.

Perhaps the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) should impose a language proficiency test on foreigners who want to work in Singapore.

Countries such as Australia and the United States have started doing this a long time ago.

Those who fail the test will have to attend English language classes, followed by another test before they are issued a work permit.

If we don't ensure a certain level of proficiency in spoken English among foreign workers, in particular those in the service industry, Singapore will end up with workers who are unable to perform their job competently, as well as not being able to assimilate into our culture.

This will certainly impact on Singapore's service standards as well as its standing as a cosmopolitan, first-world country.

While working here in China, I have seen many native workers go for English language classes at night to improve their standard of English. They have high motivation to learn another language.

I hope our MOM will tackle the problem head on and come up with some proficiency test requirements for foreign workers.

Mr Gilbert Goh Keow Wah
Hubei, China

This letter was first published in my paper on May 6, 2008.

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