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!