One of my favourite television programmes is the CSI series. The teams from Las Vegas, Miami and New York are equally good in my eyes. From this series, I get to learn more about forensic pathology and how an autopsy is done. Through DNA analysis and computer technology, I emerge triumphant with the teams when they manage to nail the culprits.
At the same time, programmes with fantastical plots can be the cause of children's accidental deaths. When actors and actresses do stunts, young viewers want to emulate them and end up flying to their deaths. Parents should then take up the responsibility of explaining to them the difference between fiction and reality.
Crimes have also stemmed from violent shows. Criminals have copied methods of killing from those shows. They have also learnt how to avoid being traced by the police from television programmes.
Television programmes may provide information and education but such benefits have obviously been abused. Knowledge is power but of what nature?
Ong Su Chin attributes her good English to television, besides books. In fact, she cites the reason for being exposed to incorrect English as school influences. This is discounting the fact that viewership discernment is practiced in the midst of watching television. We certainly don't want to "vegetate" in front of it, as Frances Ong puts it!
Some good educational programmes for children are Blue's Clues, Dora the Explorer, Clifford the Big Red Dog as well as PB and J Otters. They don't just teach the English language but also lessons on social interaction.
Dvds are also another alternative to instilling an English instinct in the children such that they "know when something sounds right or wrong."
She also advocates music as yet another feasible source of learning. This is very true because I find it easier to memorise lyrics to accompanying tunes. I take a faster time to memorise songs when I sing them rather than remember their lyrics before singing them.
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