EETP Lesson Plans to Highlight the Importance of River Conservation
KUALA LUMPUR, 21st March 2017 – GAB Foundation’s annual English Enrichment Training Programme (EETP) returned for its sixth consecutive year. The programme which took place from 18th to 21st March, aimed to equip teachers with contemporary English teaching skills, with 30% of syllabus focusing on inculcating water and river conservation practices amongst pupils.
The four-day intensive training programme saw 65 teachers from 53 schools across seven states learning innovative methodologies and integrative skills to enhance lesson plans for Year 1 – 3 pupils. The course will be supported with 20 weeks supplementary English classes conducted by the participants of the programme. This year’s programme will also feature a dedicated syllabus on water conservation in line with GAB Foundation’s river rehabilitation efforts through the W.A.T.E.R project.
Highlighting the importance of English proficiency in the era of globalisation, Tan Sri Saw Choo Boon, the Chairman of GAB Foundation said, “As Malaysia continues its efforts to build stronger international links, a firm grasp of the English language is paramount. English allows Malaysians from all walks of life to make meaningful connections to an international audience on a wide array of matters, enabling us to integrate and contribute positively on a global scale.”
“Teachers are important role models to their pupils, guiding them through a pivotal stage of development. This is why EETP primarily focuses on enhancing the abilities and capabilities of teachers aiming to enrich the lives of students, academically and in other aspects as well,” he added.
Since EETP’s introduction in 2012, the programme has invested close to RM4 million, benefitting close to 400 teachers from 230 schools across seven states. The supplementary English classes conducted as an extension of these sessions have improved verbal and written proficiency of English language of over 6,000 pupils nationwide.
Beyond this, the Foundation’s commitment is reflected through the long-term relationship between the foundation and the participants, with several teachers involved since the first year of EETP and the progress of participating pupils tracked over three years to ensure consistent development of their English proficiency.
Commenting on the evolving nature of the programme, Renuka Indrarajah, Trustee of GAB Foundation said, “Over the past six years, EETP has significantly contributed to raising English proficiency and we are fully committed to improving upon this successful track-record. To do so, we continuously look to evolve and refine EETP to reflect the changing needs of pupils, while incorporating new aspects that can help mould other facets of their lives.”
“In line with this ambition and our long standing W.A.T.E.R Project, this year’s EETP features an increased emphasis on water and river conservation to create new green leaders who are empowered to help safe-guard the long-term quality of our rivers. Additionally, oral assessments will be made a permanent component to help build confidence amongst students in conversing in English,” she added.
EETP has already proven to be a success with participating schools from the previous years recording an improvement of over 30% based on the pre- and post-test results that were held as part of the 20-week supplementary classes.
Commenting on her experience, EETP participant Madam Tion Hong Yii from Miri, said, “EETP has made both teaching and learning English easier and more engaging. The effectiveness of EETP is clearly seen as we use the tools learnt here to engage our pupils during the lessons and encourage them to learn more about the English language.”
“I am thankful to be a part of the programme once again and be able to use new creative ways of teaching that I have learnt here. Over the years, I have seen a significant change among my pupils who are now eager to learn more about the language and put in effort to actually communicate more in English, both with me and among each other,” she continued on.
For further information on EETP and the GAB Foundation, please visit http://www.gabfoundation.org/.
