Action Song and Public Speaking 2015!

This year's competition was hosted by SK Sulaiman and it was great to see so many friends, colleagues and pupils in the same place.  The competition was tough as brave and enthusiastic pupils did their best in public speaking, storytelling, poetry recitation and of course the action song category!

All the hard work that Bentong teachers and pupils had put into the performances was clear to see and they all deserve to be congratulated and their efforts celebrated.  As always the action song included fun compositions, colourful costumes and ambitious choreography.  

The participating pupils did wonderfully and all the performances were thoroughly enjoyable...it's just a shame that there can only be one winner!

Congratulations must also be given to all the pupils who took part in the public speaking and storytelling.  The standard was very high and those who took part spoke with confidence and enthusiasm.  

Poetry recitation and composition has been introduced and has left English teachers all over the country scratching their heads as they try and compose original poetry.  This year poems were to be based on the themes hope, beauty and freedom.

English teachers rose to the challenge and composed inspiring and authentic poems that incorporated the various required techniques.  

So a big round of applause to all those who took part, whether it be behind the scenes or up on the stage.  This English event was a great success and it truly promoted the enjoyment and use of English language amongst both teachers and pupils!

Tongue Twisters at SJKC Perting

Year Three English classes at SJKC Perting are always a lot of fun!  The pupils are excited to learn and communicate with their teachers which can lead to productive and at times hilarious English lessons!  Their confidence in speaking English is no problem.  

Finding new and exciting ways to teach them language points and topics can be more of a challenge.  Their much loved English teacher Soo Kim Cheng has no problems rising to this challenge and always has interesting materials and activities prepared.

The topic of this lesson was phonics and pupils were quick to pick up the correct pronunciation.  They were also able to blend and segment the target vocabulary without any problems.  

Pupil comprehension of the subject matter was checked as individuals and groups were called upon to read, recite, blend and segment.

It is important to mention that we must teach target language and sounds carefully and methodically, and that pupils' comprehension and understanding must be ensured before moving on to the production stage of a lesson.

The production stage of this English lesson included pupils reading and reciting a simple 'tongue twister' as fast as they could.

A tongue twister is a sequence of words or sounds, typically of an alliterative kind, that are difficult to pronounce quickly and correctly.  For example, she sells sea shells on the sea shore.

You can find or even make tongue twisters to suit any sound/ sounds that you are teaching and they are great way for pupils (and teachers) to have fun with language while practising phonics at the same time!  

Through having fun pupils become more relaxed and less afraid of making mistakes therefore more confident in attempting to take on the challenges faced when learning a new language.

The pupils in this class had a great time tackling this tricky tongue twister challenge and it was good to see an alternative phonics activity being put to good use.  Thank you to Mme Soo and her Year Three class for an enjoyable lesson packed with active language learning and much laughter!

English Display Workshop 2015

The English Display Competition has been running in Bentong for the last two years and has been very successful in converting disused spaces into interactive English language learning opportunities.

Throughout the TELL1 and TELL2 programs nineteen schools in the Bentong district have already taken part and produced wonderfully inventive and practical English spaces for pupils to enjoy and benefit from.

This year another nineteen schools are taking on the challenge!  The schools taking part in the initiative this year are; SK Sri Layang, SK Pelangai, SK Simpang Pelangai, SK KG Shafie, SK Kamasul, SK Lentang, SK (F) SG Kemahal, SK (F) Chemomoi, SISP, SJK(C) Khai Mun Repas, SJK(C) Khai Mun Chamang, SJK(C) SG Penjuring, SJK(C) SG Dua, SJK(C) Telemong, SJK(C) Manchis, SJK(T) Lurah Bilut, SJK(T) Sri Telemong, SJK(T) Ladang Renjok, SJK(T) Lurah Bilut.

To introduce the participating schools to the initiative Brighton mentors lead a workshop for the English teachers chosen to represent these schools.

The workshop included relevant information and activities as well as opportunities for teachers to brainstorm and consider what could be achieved to benefit their schools and enhance the learning experience of their pupils.

The teachers who attended the workshop were to relay what they had learned and discussed to their colleagues and school communities.  The goal being for teachers and pupils to pull together and produce effective, attractive English displays that will enhance teaching and encourage interactive, independent learning.

Schools will have their displays ready by August when a team of judges will be visiting to make an assessment of the displays based on certain requirements.

Although this is a competition the focus is really on the pupils and on improving language learning. As we have seen in previous years well designed and thought out displays make a real difference to the way in which pupils perceive English, displays can bring learning outside of the classroom and make English a subject that can be enjoyed independently and with friends.

We would like to thank all the teachers who attended this workshop for their time and active participation.  It was pleasure to meet most of you and to great to reacquaint with others.

Good luck to all the schools involved and please remember to get in touch if there is anything you need!

Welcome Jeff!

I am pleased to announce the most recent addition to the Bentong TELL2 team.  Jeffrey Wheeler is the new English Language Professional for Bentong 2.  He will be working alongside English teachers in SK Sungai Marong, SK Bukit Piatu, SJKC Ketari, SJKC Bukit Tinggi and SK Janda Baik.

Jeff is from the U.K. and was teaching English in Thailand before making the move to Malaysia.  We are very happy to have him working with us here in Bentong and I'm sure you all join me in wishing him a warm welcome.

Active Phonics at SJKT Bentong

Thevagi is a lucky lady!  Her Year One class has a lot of enthusiasm for English and they are all very excited to take part in classroom activities...very excited.  

Thevagi's classes are always interesting as she uses many engaging methods and techniques to teach phonics to her pupils.  She is willing to move away from the textbook and adapt available materials so that lesson content is suited to the specific needs of her class.  Pupils respond well to her active teaching style, her colourful materials and the use of 'Total Physical Response'.  Coordinating language and physical movement is perfect for a class so eager and lively.

Before talking about the lesson I would like to take a moment to congratulate Thevagi on her artistic skills and her willingness to put them to use to produce engaging teaching resources.

These flashcards can be used in so many different activities and games and once they are made they can be stored and used again next year.

This lesson was all about the letter 's'.  Pupils were to become familiar with chosen 's' words and their meanings.  The sounds and words were pre-taught using actions to indicate meanings.

Pupils were taken outside to the playground where they were instructed on how to carry out the activity.  

The teacher had two boxes; one filled with picture flashcards, the other with corresponding word cards.  The boxes were placed on opposite sides of the playground.  Hoops were placed on the playground floor in a large semi circle between the boxes.

The pupils were divided in to two groups and were instructed to line up opposite each other. One group was to choose flashcards from the picture box, the other were to choose flashcards from the word box.

On the teacher's command the groups raced to their respective boxes and picked a flashcard.  Pupils then returned to their lines to hold up their flashcards for the rest of the class to see. 

As pupils regrouped with their individual flashcards the information was reviewed; the teacher asked individual pupils about their picture or word.

The teacher then counts to three and the pupils race to find a friend with a matching picture card or word card.  This caused much excitement and discussion amongst the Year One pupils as they rushed to find a partner and make a correct match.

Once pupils found their partners they had to find an unoccupied hoop and stand in it.

If the picture did not match the word they had to leave their hoop and start the search for a partner all over again.

This was a great activity and really worked towards reinforcing the chosen vocabulary/ meanings.   Although time had to be spent giving instructions the Year One pupils now know how to play the game and will be ready for next time!

The basic materials used (flashcards, hoops) and the space available in the playground offer countless opportunities for making learning fun and interactive.

Learning Outside of the Classroom

It's language arts with Year One in SK Sulaiman and with ninety minutes to fill and a class full of eager pupils Komathi Ananthan has her hands full! The topic is 'Sounds Around Us' and Komathi has come up with a relevant language arts project that will enable her pupils to hear those sounds more effectively!  Well, kind of.

With large classes of pupils language arts projects can be tricky.  Available resources, time restrictions and relevance to what is being taught are factors that all have to be considered...and sometimes the simplest ideas can be the most effective.

In this case Komathi had drawn large sets of ears of different designs on A4 paper.  These were to be decorated by the pupils and stuck to manila card head bands.  The instructions were simple and pupils completed the task in around the same time.  So what to do with a class full of restless Year One pupils wearing giant ears?  What can be done that is relevant to the topic 'Sounds Around Us'?


Time to put those ears on, get out of the classroom and listen to the sounds that surround us!

This is a great idea and an effective way of dealing with a ninety minute lesson. A change of environment refocused and refreshed the pupils and their curiosity was sparked as the command to line up was given.

Taking language learning beyond the classroom is a great way to demonstrate to pupils that what they are learning is relevant to the world around them.  For larger classes where space is a problem there are many more activities that can be done outside. Changing location also breaks up the usual classroom routine making a lesson different, more memorable and interesting.  

Pupils were asked to close their eyes and listen carefully to the sounds around them.  They could pick up on the sounds of the birds and the insects in the surrounding garden areas.  They could hear their friends and teachers in the school buildings.   They talked of the car horns and of other sounds coming from the town beyond the school gates.  

This simple activity demonstrated aspects of the topic in focus wonderfully and effectively.  Moving away from the pages of the book and the constraints of the classroom brought subject matter to life...it made it relevant and real.

Teachers should not be afraid to take their pupils outside of the classroom  As long as activities are relevant, planned and interesting moving outside can be of real benefit for all those involved. Whether it be a treasure hunt, language games on the field or a different setting to tell a story- give it a try!

Jazz Chanting at SJKC Khai Mun Pagi!

It's the start of a new school year meaning that most Year One pupils are being introduced to English lessons and it's vital that we give them a head start- this means making sure they are comfortable and confident using phonics and that they are enjoying their English lessons!  It's important and at times challenging to harness the excitement and energy in the room and turn it in to productive language learning.  With planned lessons that incorporate interesting activities and include supportive materials pupils' energy can be used as an important part of the learning process.

At SJKC Khai Mun Pagi Pong Tze Ni was focusing on a jazz chant with her Year One class, the lesson was very successful due to several factors...

The vocabulary that was used in the chant was taught thoroughly prior to pupils learning the chant itself.  The pupils need to know how to recognise the words, pronounce them correctly and spell the words so drilling is necessary.  In order to make this process more effective the teacher includes several different drilling methods and techniques.  Initially the drilling methods applied are teacher led and attention is paid to ensure that all pupils are repeating the sounds and words correctly.

As pupils become more familiar with the vocabulary interactive methods can be used to build confidence and independent learning amongst the pupils.

Drilling has to be fun and varied in order for the pupils to engage and learn, especially at such a young age!

Pupils are then introduced to the jazz chant itself.  It's important that the jazz chant is on the board in large font for all pupils to be able to read together with their books closed - this goes some of the way to eliminating possible distractions!  In this case all the language needed was included on flashcards which were large enough for the whole class to see and remained on the blackboard throughout the lesson.

After reciting the chant as a class, in groups and as individuals the pupils are able to recite the chant without having to refer to any other material.  Actions were then introduced... much to the enjoyment of the pupils!

It is common amongst English teachers to be hesitant when teaching jazz chants, the chants included in the books are not always ideal and this can put both teachers and pupils off.

Jazz chants have to lend themselves to a regular beat, they should have actions, the content should be minimal and  include key vocabulary.  Teachers should not be afraid to alter the chants included in the textbooks or compose their own simple chants.  Composing original chants ensures that they will be suitable for your pupils and incorporate key or problem language points. 

Teachers should have a number of tried and tested techniques that they can use for pre-teaching, practising and performing jazz chants; these can be referred to and used for efficiently teaching jazz chants throughout Level One.

This class demonstrated an effective way to introduce, learn and enjoy a jazz chant.  Pupils were quick to pick up the words and understand the content which means there was more time to enjoy reciting the jazz chant! 

Thank you to the Khai Mun Pagi Year One pupils to Pong Tze Ni for a wonderful lesson!

There will be more information on composing and teaching jazz chants coming up, please get in contact if you need any help!