English Display Competition 2014!

Work is under way to complete the English displays for this year's competition and there is some INCREDIBLE work being produced! So first and foremost a huge applause for all those teachers and schools that have been working tirelessly to really make a difference to the school environment and to promote English language learning beyond the classroom.

Twenty schools from TELL1 and TELL2 are creating interactive, informative and decorative English displays that will benefit Level One Pupils.  A workshop was carried out in April to encourage teachers to think about what they want their pupils to gain from the displays, what would work in their school and what they were capable of achieving.  

There are ten factors to take into consideration when designing and creating the displays and these factors will be what the judges are looking for when they visit the schools. 

1. The displays should support the learning process.
2. The displays should be easily accessible.
3. The displays should be interactive.
4. The displays should be meaningful to the pupils.
5. The displays should reinforce skills learnt by the pupils in English lessons.
6. Pupils should be able to contribute work to the displays.
7. Visuals are used in the creation of the displays.
8. The pupils can actively engage with the displays.
9. The displays should have clear learning targets or learning intentions.
10. The displays should be decorative. 

There is a lot to consider and teachers are having to think outside of the box in order to incorporate these factors into the final designs.   

Of course at this point what is being produced in schools is top secret. There are some original and imaginative concepts and it's understandable that schools want to keep these under wraps!  

It's been a challenge that has brought school communities together creatively and pupils are eagerly awaiting the time when the work is finished so they can use the language games and challenges.  

It's too soon to share pictures of what is going on but we can take a look at what was achieved last year.  The schools that were involved with TELL1 took on the challenge with enthusiasm and their mentors were very proud of what accomplished.

SJKT Karak were the winners of the English Display Competition 2013.  English was visible everywhere and in a way that pupils could really engage and interact with.  They made a large 'Phonics Tree' that pupils used to make words in recess or if they had completed their work.

Bright and colourful murals were painted to support the teaching and learning from English lessons.

SJKT Karak also created a relaxing reading corner where pupils could access and read English language storybooks.  There was also a place for pupils to look at up to date newspapers and complete language challenges using the reading materials provided.  The pupils enthusiasm to do so was evident, the fact that they were using the materials meant that the teachers had achieved what they were meant to...the displays were facilitating independent language learning!

Other schools involved were SK Sertik, SK Mempaga 1, SK Mempaga 2, SK Lebu, SK Lurah Bilut, SK Karak, SK Jambu Rias, SK Sungai Dua and SJKC Karak.  All the schools produced brilliant work which was sure to benefit their pupils and their schools.  

After such amazing results last year we eagerly await to see what will be carried out in 2014.  All the hard work is worth it when pupils grow, learn and enjoy discovering English language learning outside of the textbooks.

The completion date for the displays is 1st October 2014.  Good luck and please do not hesitate to get in contact with your TELL2 mentor, Charlotte Lewis, if you need help or if you have any problems!