One of Malaysia’s leading television hits are a legitimate example of what makes media a cultural storyteller: Oh my English. The show is based on a group of school children, venturing their way through secondary school life, with most of the cast lacking grammatical skill. This programme is a perfect example of how cultural values shape the way we think and what not because English being the universal language of the world, helping Malaysians become more literate in the language allows Malaysian to branch out economically and socially. Unbeknownst to the audience, though it may seem the cast is learning English, fellow Malaysians who are on the same boat as the cast are also learning as they watch. This automatically alters our perception of thought as it has become a cultural belief that Malaysians should learn to speak proper English in general. As the ministry of Education had tried to suggest a more English based education system, Malaysians, however, did not absorb the method the ministry had established. Oh my English was a brilliant alternative to that as in today’s society, younger children prefer to learn visually, which is a prime example that mass media influences the audience with cultural values which help us think, feel and act differently. As the plot suggests, a group of Malaysian students learning to speak English, it is certainly relatable to many, many Malaysians which fatherly enforces the fact that mass media is a cultural storyteller as it showcases the lives of not just these group of children but also the lives of actual Malaysian students struggling with their English. Oh my English is certainly living up to the expectation due to its overwhelming popularity and truly serves its purpose as a Malaysian cultural story teller. Many students around Malaysia have responded well to the television show and acknowledge the shows main moral values.
Media is a storyteller where we can get information from all over the world. It keeps us up with the latest news and happenings. Media, specifically internet, brings the world into our thumb in one touch/click access. Almost everything can be shared via media from anywhere and anytime.
Storytelling is a sharing and interpreting experience between the storyteller and listener, the 3 values and beliefs from the TV programme that influence, is the importance of English Education among Malaysians. ‘Oh My English’ is a program that helps the people to improve their English and to realise their mistakes in term of talking and writing skills. Most of Malaysians doesn’t use the proper English when they talk and this can be very confusing for the foreigners to understand. In Malaysia if you talk in English it seems look like you are showing off but actually it isn’t . Oh my English teaches people that English is not for showing off but it is vital. Other than that this type of programmes will bring unity among the Malaysians since Malaysia is a multi-race country. Oh My English contents the concept of 1Malaysia that could be a good connector among Malaysians. This programme also based on education that helps the community to improve their speaking skills in English since it’s an International language. This type of TV programme also suitable for all age groups. It’s a comedy based show with education value and it’s an acceptable programme by all society.
As a conclusion, media has the biggest responsibility on delivering the news to people in a different way by stories. This process of storytelling can convey the ideas differently and the audience can get the information accurately. This can help the youngsters to learn and catch the points easily.
