‘New Straits Times’ aids in discussions, debates

JOHOR BARU: English teachers who attended the New Straits Times-Newspaper in Education (NST-NIE) workshop here said there were many challenges in getting a pupil’s attention in the classroom, but the newspaper was useful to spur discussions and debates that helped improve their mastery of the language.

SK Sri Tebrau English teacher Shobha Vijayakumar said many parts of the NST could be used in the classroom to pique her pupils’ interest.

“The revamped NST is more interactive with the latest updates on current issues.

“The quality of writing and the flair of language on display is the best among other publications.

“That’s why I upload articles and photos from the NST website and its print version on to the Frog VLE online platform for pupils, teachers and parents.

“Pupils can talk about a particular story and this encourages critical thinking,” said Shobha, who was one of 155 primary and secondary school teachers who attended the one-day workshop organised by the Johor English Language Teaching Association (Jelta).

NST education editor Hazlina Aziz and NIE facilitator Tengku Shahraniza Tengku Abdul Jalal conducted the workshop.

SK Bukit Mutiara English teacher Mohd Fahmi Mohd Zaid said he used a different approach when teaching his pupils, who comprised children from low-income background.

“I engage with them by befriending them.

“I surprise them with gifts such as colour pencils and stationery every now and then and they appreciate it,” he said.

Most of Fahmi’s pupils do not have the luxury of having Internet or newspapers at home, so he uses the computer laboratory and NST to liven up his classroom.

“I conduct classes in the computer lab twice a week to show documentaries on the animal kingdom, how food is made and environmental issues on