Forum on TESL

UTAR’s Department of Languages and Linguistics from the Faculty of Arts and Social Science (FAS) organised a forum titled ‘Engaging Gen Y in the ESL Classroom’ at the FAS Building in the Kampar Campus on 27 August 2015.

The objectives of the forum were to provide academics with the opportunity to connect with English educators from schools and to gain insights into the issues of teaching English as a second language (TESL) to the younger generations in the classroom. In addition, it aimed to help UTAR lecturers gather information on the expectations of school administrators in terms of job knowledge and skills that student teachers must possess before graduation.

Moderated by a senior lecturer from FAS, Krishnan Vengidasamy, the forum featured three speakers, namely, SJK (C) Kampar Girls Senior Assistant Teacher Lee Chia Chia, English Language School Improvement Specialist Coach (SISC) and officer from South Kinta District Education Office, Poh Beng Siew and Westlake International School English Department Head Tiong Ngee Derk who is also a former student of UTAR FAS.

The panellists (from left): Lee, Poh and Tiong

The forum saw an in-depth discussion and exchange of views between the panellists and the lecturers from UTAR’s Department of Languages and Linguistics. The discussion covered the significance of using active and up-to-date teaching and learning strategies in schools, which include a wide range of activities that share the common element of highlighting student involvement. The forum also focused on ways to engage students in critical and creative thinking, expressing ideas, giving and receiving feedback and communicating with other students and teachers.

The panellists elaborated on their working experiences in schools as well as emphasised on the topics such as lesson plans for schoolchildren, classroom management and teacher’s self development, among others.

The three panellists were peppered with discussion stimulating questions such as the challenges and the strategies that they implemented to enhance the teaching and learning process. Examples of the questions raised were, ‘What do we need to consider when setting up a classroom?’, ‘What are the common discipline challenges among students today and how do we deal with them?’, ‘What makes exemplary teaching?’, ‘How does one decide which teaching method is the most suitable?’, ‘How do we encourage all students to be participative?’, ‘What can one do if a student doesn’t seem to be showing any sign of progress?’, ‘What are the key qualities and skills you expect to find in teachers?’, ‘Is there anything you would like to share with us regarding challenges faced by educators?’.

The forum ended with a souvenir presentation to the panellists by the Head of the Department of Languages and Linguistics, Christina Ong Sook Beng.

Seated from left: Tiong, Poh, Ong, Krishnan and Lee with members of the audience