A group of young children from Japan had the time of their lives when they participated in the English Immersion Programme organised by UTAR Centre for Extension Education (CEE). The programme was organised in collaboration with the Kids Base Camp unit in Tokyu Corporation and International Development Center of Japan (IDCJ), Japan from 21 July to 26 July 2019 at Kampar Campus.
The participants were guided by staff from both institutions, namely CEE Kampar Campus Head Mohd Faizul bin Ahmad, CEE staff Mohd Izad Ismat bin Mohd Said, Potchselvi Narasimmalu, Nor Shahira binti Azizan, Ho Mei Kei, Loo Yi Huan, Beh Heng Jian, Bragathiswary Vathemurthy, IDCJ staff Chizuko Takeshima, and Kids Base Camp unit in Tokyu Corporation staff Hayashida Shoko, Higuchi Chie, Kitagawa Karin, Sasaki Takahiro and Yamakami Kenji.
The objective of the programme was to expose the international participants to the approach of local English learning as well as to provide a platform for them to experience the daily life activities of a nation with diversified ethnicity. In addition to that, the collaboration also aimed to foster good international ties among future generations of different nations in the field of education.
Interesting activities were also prepared for the young participants, which included ice-breaking session, a campus tour, hands-on English learning session, cultural exposure activities like outdoor traditional games and Sago Cake making session, and many more.
Apart from the indoor lessons, the participants also had the opportunity to experience outings and excursion tour to Ipoh Railway Station, Ipoh High Court, Ipoh Town Hall Building, Birch Memorial Clock Tower, Funtasy House Trick Art Museum and Kellie’s Castle located at Batu Gajah.
The learning session continued with a field trip to Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Sungai Lesong, which introduced the participants to the lifestyle of the local school communities. The field trip ended with the presentation of the certificates to all the participants.
Before their departure to Japan, the participants also had the opportunity to visit Central Market by boarding the light rail transit and learn the art of making batik at Craft Complex of Petronas Twin Tower (KLCC).
One of the participants, Yukina Era said, “I like the cultural learning session the most because I was able to experience henna tattoo paints, play Malay traditional games such as congkak and try traditional delicacies such as onde-onde, Tapioca kuih and many more.” Another participant, Risako Nishii said that she was glad to learn many new things during the English class. She also praised the English classes at UTAR. She was able to pick up many new words and vocabularies from the cooking lesson. She also found interests in the traditional games and activities in which she deemed exciting and expressed her wish to return to UTAR again.
Overall, the trip benefitted the participants with lessons not only focusing on improving their English language, but it also disclosed Malaysia’s local values and cultures.
For more photos, please click here.
The participants during the ice-breaking session
The students exploring the traditional games
CEE instructor Beh (middle) guiding the participants in making onde-onde
The students immersing themselves in Malaysia’s diverse and rich cultures at the cultural exhibition
The participants were all smiles while posing with their certificates
The participants visiting Ipoh’s iconic Birch Memorial Clock Tower
Participants enjoying a whale of a time at the Funtasy House Trick Art Museum
Group photo at the Ipoh Town Hall Building
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