Kirkby way to better English

CYBERJAYA: The Education Ministry will study the Kirkby College Alumni Association's proposal to send English language trainee teachers to England for training.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the methods used at the Kirkby College in the 1950s produced competent English language teachers.

“Trainee teachers studying at the college at the time had a chance to communicate with native speakers for two years, besides learning their cultures,” he said when launching the Kirkby International College here yesterday.

The proposal to revive the practice was made by the Kirkby College Alumni Association chairman Tan Sri Dr Yahaya Ibrahim.

Muhyiddin launched a coffee table book entitled “Kirkby College - A Heritage”.

The Government used to send English language teachers to the Kirkby College for training in the 1950s and 1960s in Kirkby, Liverpool, England.

Muhyiddin, who is also the Education Minister, said increasing English language proficiency was one of the key areas in the National Education Review.

“I am confident in Kirkby International College's ability to play a role in helping improve English language proficiency of its trainee teachers as well as the public,” he said.