AI and TikTok offer fixes to our English struggles
ENGLISH learning is no longer bound by chalk and talk. The reason — digital platforms are changing the game.
On TikTok, Malaysian educators and language influencers explain grammar, correct common errors, suggest better word choices and demonstrate how English is used in everyday conversation.
These short videos are accessible, culturally relevant, and are often the first time learners find English engaging and easy to follow.
ChatGPT and DeepSeek also offer new opportunities. These platforms provide a private and supportive space where users can practise English, ask questions and receive instant corrections.
Simulated conversations offer practical speaking experience without fear of judgment. For learners who associate English with stress or shame, this offers a sense of safety and control.
Beyond grammar and pronunciation, these tools are rebuilding something far more important: confidence. Learners can take ownership of their progress.
Mistakes are treated as part of the learning process, not as failure. The pressure that often surrounds English learning begins to fade, replaced by self-direction and curiosity.
Much of this progress is made possible through AI and TikTok.
Children who engage with AI writing tools and educational TikToks from an early age are more likely to develop communicative competence, comfort with trial and error, and confidence in using English across settings.
Modern linguistics increasingly values communicative competence over grammatical perfection. Fluency is not defined by sounding like a native speaker.
It is about the ability to convey ideas clearly, effectively and with confidence, even if the grammar is not flawless. What matters most is being understood.
English in Malaysia is evolving. It is being shaped by culture, global access and now, by digital innovation.
With the help of AI and platforms like TikTok, learners are no longer tied to outdated models of instruction. They are developing their voices in new and empowered ways.
SHAZLIN NIZA AB RAZAK
English language lecturer
Centre for Foundation Studies in Science
Universiti Malaya
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
25 minutes ago
- The Star
Miti probes alleged breach involving Nvidia-powered AI chips
FILE PHOTO: A smartphone with a displayed Nvidia logo is placed on a computer motherboard in this illustration taken March 6, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/File Photo KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) is verifying with relevant agencies to see whether any local laws have been breached following reports of a Chinese company using Nvidia-powered artificial intelligence (AI) chips for Large Language Model (LLM) training in Malaysia. In a statement today, MITI said that servers using Nvidia chips and AI chips are not classified as controlled goods under the Malaysian Strategic Trade Act 2010 (STA 2010). "However, Malaysia will cooperate with any government that requires assistance in monitoring trade in sensitive goods under the export control of their respective countries,' it said. Guided by the principles of transparency, good governance and the rule of law, businesses, including data centres operating in Malaysia, are free to make their own commercial decisions, provided that they operate within the scope of Malaysian laws and regulations, said MITI. "The development and regulation of the Malaysian data centre industry and ecosystem is also actively and jointly managed by MITI and the Ministry of Digital through the Data Centre Task Force,' it said. The ministry said that Malaysia stands firm against any individual or company that attempts to circumvent export controls or engage in illicit trade activities. "MITI remains committed to facilitating legitimate trade and fostering a secure and responsible investment and trade environment, ensuring that all technology-related investments and trade align with international best practices as well as with multilaterally agreed commitments,' it said. It also emphasised that Malaysia remains committed to upholding international trade regulations and ensuring full compliance with global export control measures. "MITI will always act firmly against any company operating in Malaysia that violates Malaysian and international trading regulations, including those involved in the semiconductor and AI industries,' it said. MITI added that while Malaysia maintains a neutral position on unilateral sanctions, companies operating here have been advised to adhere to other countries' unilateral export controls which apply to their international business activities to avoid any secondary sanctions on their businesses. - Bernama
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Meta offered $100 mn bonuses to poach OpenAI employees: CEO Altman
NEW YORK: Meta offered $100 million bonuses to OpenAI employees in an unsuccessful bid to poach the ChatGPT maker's talent and strengthen its own generative AI teams, the startup's CEO, Sam Altman, has said. Facebook's parent company -- a competitor of OpenAI -- also offered 'giant' annual salaries exceeding $100 million to OpenAI staffers, Altman said in an interview on the 'Uncapped with Jack Altman' podcast released Tuesday. 'It is crazy,' Altman told his brother Jack in the interview. 'I'm really happy that at least so far none of our best people have decided to take them up on that.' The OpenAI cofounder said Meta had made the offers to 'a lot of people on our team.' Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The social media titan has invested billions of dollars in artificial intelligence technology amid fierce competition in the AI race with rivals OpenAI, Google and Microsoft. Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said in January that the firm planned to invest at least $60 billion in AI this year, with ambitions to lead in the technology. Last week, Meta entered into a deal reportedly worth more than $10 billion with Scale AI, a company specializing in labeling data used in training artificial intelligence models. As part of the deal, company founder and CEO Alexandr Wang will join Meta to help with the tech giant's AI ambitions, including its work on superintelligence efforts. Comparing Meta to his company, Altman said on the podcast that 'OpenAI has a much better shot at delivering on superintelligence.' 'I think the strategy of a ton of upfront guaranteed comp and that being the reason you tell someone to join... I don't think that's going to set up a great culture,' the OpenAI boss added. According to US media reports, Meta has also offered nine-figure annual salaries to Scale AI executives. 'There's many things I respect about Meta as a company,' said Altman. 'But I don't think they're a company that's great at innovation.'
Daily Express
4 hours ago
- Daily Express
How ‘Ejen Ali' could spark STEM interest among students
Published on: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 18, 2025 By: FMT Reporters Text Size: 'Ejen Ali The Movie 2' features the armoured 'Satria suit', which is powered by artificial intelligence to assist the young agents on their missions. (WAU Animation pic) PETALING JAYA: In recent years, interest among Malaysian students in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) has been in decline. According to the education ministry, only around 15.2% of students chose the science stream for the 2023/2024 academic year, while over 100,000 students failed science and mathematics subjects in last year's SPM examination. Advertisement This downward trend could negatively impact national development, as STEM is a key driver of technological progress and innovation. Without a young generation interested and skilled in STEM, achieving developed-nation status becomes increasingly difficult. So, while this may sound surprising, it is heartening that sources of entertainment such as the local animation 'Ejen Ali' could help promote the value of science, engineering and technology. The futuristic world of Cyberaya in 'Ejen Ali' showcases advanced tech based on STEM principles such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and renewable-energy sources in the form of Azurium. 'Ejen Ali' gives students a clear picture that STEM is not merely theory confined to classrooms, but is something that can be applied in real life. Then there's 'Ejen Ali The Movie 2', the recent full-length feature that has won the hearts of Malaysians, grossing over RM50 million within 18 days of screening nationwide. The film introduces the armoured 'Satria suit', powered by artificial intelligence to assist Mata agents in their missions. The suit not only transforms to fit its user's needs but is also equipped with detection and defence systems. While it is clearly fictitious, its notable appearance in the movie could inspire young viewers to explore an interest in technology and engineering. Additionally, 'Ejen Ali' opens up space for discussions within families and schools about the importance of values like integrity, social responsibility, and ethics in the use of technology. This is essential as, to prevent misuse, technological advancement must be accompanied by moral acuity. The animation teaches students that being a scientist or engineer isn't just about intelligence – it is also also about being kind, ethical and responsible. On that note, beyond just watching 'Ejen Ali', parents and teachers are crucial in nurturing students' interest – by explaining technological concepts in a simple and relatable manner, for example, or by taking children to science exhibitions, supporting their participation in innovation competitions, or involving them in STEM-related activities. Ideally, 'Ejen Ali The Movie 2' will continue to be a source of inspiration and catalyst for interest among the younger generation. The film features even more advanced tech and a deeper storyline than its predecessors, which will hopefully attract more students to view STEM as an exciting and promising field for the future. This article was written by Amirul Eqhwan Rahim, administrative officer at Universiti Malaya's Centre for Foundation Studies in Science.
