Too many learners here are being pushed too quickly up the "Everest" of complex academic English without really mastering the most common 1,500 words and the basic structures of English "plain talk". Malaysians learning English, especially outside the largest urban areas, need to have loads more easy "comprehensible input" – mainly through lots and lots of voluntary lighter reading and extensive listening for fun, largely outside the classroom. This can also improve writing and speaking. There’s a lot of research to support this (see www.ijflt.com ).

"Easy" means you already know about 98% of all the words you’re reading or listening to.

One great resource for all learners is Voice of America Special English, on shortwave and now online (www.voaspecialenglish.com  ), cost-free. Every day, there is 10 minutes of world news,

followed by two feature reports in 14 categories, all kinds of topics – from development and economics to health, exploration, agriculture, science, music, education and a kind of American "mosaic" of culture. Entertaining and informative stuff.

Special English is based on a 1,500 headword basic vocabulary. Sentences are short, averaging 14 words. Lots of repetition. There are few adjectives and almost no idioms. One "idea" per sentence. The speed of delivery is 90 words per minute, about 25% slower than "normal speaking tempo, great for improving listening and pronunciation. For all reports, you can both read the text and listen to the audio.

Shelley Gollust, the director of Special English, recently commented: "It’s almost like Hemingway. You can write something easy and direct, and it’s more powerful that way." There’s a huge online archive, thousands of articles. Many feature articles are a kind of "English for Science Lite", adding some technical vocabulary. Though run by the US government, this is not a propaganda channel. Its coverage is very balanced.

For extensive listening of easier material, another superb site is www.eslpod.com . Check it out. Also pretty easy, many average learners will love it. Stick to massive input of "plain talk". It can work wonders.

Most children and adults learning English in Malaysia should first try to master and "over-learn" a simpler English, through lots and lots of easy reading and listening. The trick is recycling grammar and basic vocabulary. Then, if you like, trek on up the mountain of complex English, your legs (and self-confidence) will be much stronger.

Bill Templer
Faculty of Education Universiti Malaya