School sets up English speaking zone
SK Taman Setia has launched the Highly Immersive Programme (HIP) in an attempt to encourage its 650 pupils to use the English Language.
The HIP is aimed at strengthening English by increasing usage hours outside the classroom.
HIP is not a new programme but uses a different approach to the co-curricular guidelines that have been set out in a circular in 1999.
The programme is part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold Bahasa Malaysia while strengthening the usage of the English Language.
One of SK Taman Setia’s first steps in implementing the programme was to transform the waiting area of its pupils into a colourful and comfortable place called the “HIP Lounge” - an English speaking only zone.
Located right next to the school’s guard house, the lounge is decorated with English flashcards, idioms and motivational quotes.
It comes complete with a variety of English materials and 16 seats, where pupils can sit and enjoy reading the books and magazines provided, during recess as well as when they wait for their parents to pick them up.
Headmistress Sarifah Mohamed said the lounge can serve as an “inspiration” to her pupils to attract them to learn the language.
“A pleasant and resourceful environment can stimulate their interest. Now they have a space within the school compound to do so,” she said.
She added that it is important for schools to implement HIP as it will help produce pupils with fluent English proficiency.
The school which is located in Kuala Lumpur, is also in the midst of transforming one of its classroom into a Self Access Learning (SAL) area, said Sarifah.
Gombak district education officer Sajoli Masdor said HIP helps to encourage young children to be more comfortable around the English Language.
“Having the programme in the school will increase pupils’ opportunities to use English on a daily basis.
“It will also expose them to how fun the language can be and enhance their Higher Order Thinking Skills,” he said after launching the programme.
Sajoli stressed that it is vital for young pupils to build a solid foundation in the language.
“It is good for children to be mul- tilingual. This prepares them to be able to compete in the global market in the future,” he said, noting that knowing more than one language is one of the six aspirations in the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025.