Like many of my junior college schoolmates, I wrestled with the idea of choosing the Arts stream over the Science stream when I entered Catholic Junior College (CJC). Society often champions STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) pathways for their perceived stability, which leaves students like us, who gravitate toward the humanities, questioning whether following our interests is practical. Eventually, I gave in to my love for literature and writing, and after a year of studying the Arts, I can confidently say it has been one of the best decisions I’ve made.
A surprisingly pragmatic journey of passion
While there is a prevailing perception that choosing the Science stream is more pragmatic, embarking on an education pathway that does not align with one’s passion can be demoralising too. Many of my humanities-inclined friends who opted for the Science stream tell me that they look back at their decision with regret and now wonder if they would feel more fulfilled had they chosen to follow their interests instead.
Now that I’m in JC2, I can surprisingly say that the Arts stream, besides being a path of self-expression, is also one that is practical and filled with opportunities. From Day One in JC, I have been exposed to a rich tapestry of learning experiences that goes beyond textbooks. And that has led me to discovering that my passions have real-world examples and applications.
For example, “language change” is not only a linguistic concept I learnt in English Language and Linguistics (ELL), but also a reality that underpins the global linguistic landscape as proven by the famous evolution of the word “Google” from a proper noun to a verb. We see it in social media too, with the coinage of new words like “doomscrolling”, and the broadening of the meaning of the word “story” beyond simply being a narrative or account of events.
My schoolmates from CJC’s 50th Student Council: a good mix of students from the Arts, Science, and even Hybrid Streams.
Finding fulfilment in the Arts stream
The subjects I took up – ELL, Economics, and Literature in English – have not only fuelled my interests, but also honed skills such as analytical thinking, effective communication, and the ability to keep an open mind and view issues from multiple perspectives. Reading a great variety of literature across centuries has enabled me to adopt the lenses of not only those authors, but also their respective readers. I also learnt that perspectives shift and vary significantly due to external factors such as a country’s social climate, and how they can interact with each other to produce holistic multilogues on a particular topic at hand.
More importantly, it’s fulfilling to realise how the humanities are intertwined with our daily lives. I see this when dissecting song lyrics to understand the complexities of human relationships through literary analysis. And when I encounter everyday phenomena like inflation or student discounts, I understand the economics behind them.
Having opportunities to learn from international experts
In my first year in JC, the 2024 CJC-NJC ELL Symposium was particularly a standout moment for me. Hearing from linguistic experts about the evolution of Asian Englishes, such as Singlish and Filipino English, deepened my understanding of how globalisation shapes language. Take Filipino English, for instance. The Tagalog word “lang”, which, when borrowed into English, means “only”, “just”, or “simply” and serves to downplay the significance of something, so “I’m tired, lang” means “I’m just tired”.
Let’s also not forget that the recognition of words from Asian English varieties in several dictionaries, such as Singapore’s “kiasu” (as well as the newly coined quintessentially Singaporean term ‘kiasuism’), cements the legitimacy of such Asian Englishes and highlights Asia as a prominent driving force of language change in English.
A dialogue sharing by professors at the CJC-NJC ELL Symposium 2024.
This experience opened my eyes to linguistics as a field of study and gave me a renewed sense of pride in Singapore’s multilingual identity. The impact our native languages have on nuancing how we use English to communicate more effectively has also reaffirmed my belief that the Arts stream equips students with a global perspective – an asset in today’s interconnected world.
Being future-ready
Through the English Language Elective Scholarship (ELES), I participated in a work attachment with MOE’s Communications and Engagement Group. Applying linguistic concepts to real-world communications challenges taught me how language shapes perception and influences decision-making.
From left, me and my ELES work attachment partner from ACJC.
This experience broadened my horizons and piqued my interest in the communications industry. Although I initially aspired to pursue law, I am now exploring other possibilities like journalism and education with confidence and an open mind.
Looking back, choosing the Arts stream was less about rejecting pragmatism in pursuit of passion – it was more about finding a balance between the two. The experiences I have gained have prepared me to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing world, with the confidence to embrace whatever path I choose.
Photos courtesy of: Yee En Xue
