Because of this, many Burmese are better able to communicate in written English than in spoken English, due to emphasis placed on writing and reading.Ĭharacteristics Orthography Since 1991, in the 9th and 10th Standards, English and Burmese have both been used as the medium of instruction, particularly in science and math subjects, which use English language textbooks. Currently, English is taught from Standard 0 (kindergarten), as a second language. English language education was reintroduced in 1982. In 1965, Burmese replaced English as the medium of instruction at the university level, with the passing of the New University Education Law the previous year. Until 1965, English was the language of instruction at Burmese universities. English became taught as a second language beginning in the Fifth Standard. On 1 June 1950, a new education policy was implemented to replace Burmese as the medium of instruction at all state schools, although universities, which continued to use English as the medium of instruction, were unaffected. Burmese English resembles Indian English to a degree because of historical ties to India during British colonization. English was the medium of instruction in universities and two types of secondary schools: English schools and Anglo-Vernacular schools (where English was taught as a second language). During the British colonial period, English was the medium of instruction in higher education, although it did not replace Burmese as the vernacular. It administered Myanmar as a province of British India until 1937, and as a separate colony until 1948. No, this is great.The British Empire annexed modern-day Myanmar in three stages over a six-decade span (1824–1885). Watch out – that just missed me! I think you need one fewer string to your bow now – it’s too dangerous. I know – but if learn this new skill, I can be like Robin Hood – it’s archery. Neil, you don’t need a bow to use this phrase - it’s just metaphorical. Maybe I do, Jiaying – I think I might try a different skill – one that still needs a bow. Neil’s additional skill is playing the violin – but sorry, Neil, you need more practice!
We can also say ‘to have more than one string to your bow’ to mean having lost of skills. This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English and we’re talking about the phrase ‘another string to your bow’ which describes having an additional skill to use if the first skill doesn’t work out. Gemma is so talented – she has so many strings to her bow. It looks like I’ll never be a singer, but luckily, I have another string to my bow – dancing! Hmm, let me count while we hear some other examples of the phrase ‘another string to your bow’…īookkeeping is another string to my bow – I’ve learnt it in case I lose my job at the bank. So, think of another string as another skill – so how many strings do you have, Neil? No, Neil! When we talk about having ‘another string to your bow’ we mean having an additional skill that can be used if the first one doesn’t work out. So, you are adding another string to your bow?Īm I? Is that what I need to improve my violin playing?! I get the message, Jiaying! I’m just trying to learn another skill, in case I lose my current job. Hello, I’m Jiaying, and this is The English We Speak…Īre you referring to my violin playing? This is my new hobby – learning to play a new instrument.īut it sounds like you’re murdering a cat! Is there a cat in the studio? But what has that got to do with strings on bows?! All will be explained in this episode of The English We Speak. Learning a new skill is a good thing to do – you never know when it might come in useful.