A fresh start, a trusted resource
The NiE pullout returns jam-packed with fun language lear ning for all.
FOR the past 20 years, students and teachers across Malaysia have been regularly looking forward to getting their hands on an exciting learning resource.
Much like a “living textbook”, The Star newspaper allows for an authentic way of learning with the help of its Newspaper-in-Education (NiE) pullout, which is published every Wednesday.
The colourful 12-page pullout, written by a team of experienced English language teachers/specialists, is packed with fun hands-on NiE activities for the classroom.
NiE is a concept that originated in the United States. It uses the newspaper as a means in bridging the gap between classroom lessons and the real world.
Students are able to make sense of the world around them by correctly interpreting information and relating them to real-life issues. And what better resource there is than the most widely read English daily in Malaysia – The Star!
Not only do students immerse themselves in how the English language is spoken and used, they also keep themselves abreast with current happenings, locally and around the globe.
The engaging NiE activities are divided into elementary, intermediate and advanced levels to suit students’ English proficiency. What’s best, the pullout adheres to syllabus-based topics endorsed by the Education Ministry.
NiE gives students a comprehensive and structured learning framework with three major segments – NiE English, NiE Literature and NiE Life.
The NiE English section is a syllabus-based pullout with ready-made lesson plans that tackle themes set by the Education Ministry.
The pullout has a much-loved comic strip panel that illustrates stories in the school literature component. This year, it will illustrate the novel Captain Nobody. Vibrant and colourful graphics are designed to capture the young minds of students, while a mini dictionary box comes in handy to tackle vocabulary.
True to the NiE factor, teachers can go beyond textbook learning with thought-provoking questions that challenge students to address important issues.
The latest buzzwords in education, Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS), creative thinking and cooperative learning, are no strangers to NiE – it’s what the programme is all about! The latest tools for teachers in the NiE pullout’s are key indicators that show the various types of 21st century skills focused in a particular activity.
This year, students have plenty of reasons to look forward to with the NiE pullout. With 33 issues per year, the pullout will include two new sections – BRATs and Earn Your Band 6.
On pages 5, 6, 7 and 8, students will be able to read articles written by their peers in The Star’s BRATs
young journalist programme.
This four-page section is dedicated to all things that make teens tick, which include current affairs, pop culture and short stories. It is designed for teens with a passion for writing and an instinct for journalism. On top of that, teachers also get a corner where they can share their inspiring stories.
BRATs can be found in 24 issues of the NiE pullouts. When BRATs is taking a break, Earn Your Band 6 will take its place in nine issues.
Earn Your Band 6 is aimed at improving the English proficiency of those taking the Malaysian University English Test (MUET).
Students will have access to tips and activities designed by teachers and specialist writers to hone students’ reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. MUET candidates also stand a chance to have their essays published, as well as win cash prizes.
This year, the NiE contest has an exciting concept in store. So do keep your eyes peeled for it!
Teachers, are you ready to teach English language lessons the 21st century way? If so, get a copy of your 2017 planner when the school subscribes to The Star’s NiE programme. The planner will help you incorporate the activities into your lessons.
For more information, call The Star’s Customer Care Unit at 1-30088-7827 from Monday to Friday (9am-5pm), or get in touch with the marketing representative closest to you (from Monday to Friday between 8.30am to 7.30pm). Subscription is through schools only.