Festival helps to improve students’ language proficiency and job prospects

Facilitator Dr Sheena Kaur looks at the work of students during the English Fest organised by the Coalition of Malaysian Sikh Organisations at Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya.

A SIKH organisation recently held a one-day English Fest to address the eroding command of English language proficiency among students.

The festival was part of the English Enrichment Programme (EEP) initiated by the Coalition of Malaysian Sikh Organisations (CMSO) to prepare them for higher education and improve their prospects in the job market.

“We saw a need to improve their English language skills further,” said CMSO secretary-general Autar Singh.

About 40 students took part in various interactive activities in grammar, writing, speaking and presentation at the fest, which was held in Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya.

“Attending this programme has helped increase my confidence level and leadership skills.

“I enjoyed the choral speaking activity,” said Form Three student Anandpreet Kaur from Sri Dasmesh International School, Kuala Lumpur.

The fest was facilitated by a team of serving and retired educators led by Satwant Kaur.

The other facilitators were Matishwar Kaur, Gurdarshan Kaur, Disvimther Kaur, Bachan Kaur, Ravinder Kaur, Thevy Rajaretnam, Dr Sheena Kaur, Maher Vann Singh and Veereen Kaur.

Some of the students who took part in the English Fest.

Matishwar said the writing clinic was aimed at teaching the children how to use their imagination.

“One student even made up a story about toothbrushes!’’ she said.

At the grammar station, they learnt about tenses, error identification and subject-verb arrangement, among others.

“We used newspapers to teach them grammar in context,’’ added Dr Sheena.

English Fest is now being planned for other towns.

For details, call 012-205 5011.