COMMUNITALK: FOSTERING ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
In a collaborative effort between Universiti Malaysia Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) and USIA Sarana Ascetic of Sekolah Sains Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah (SHAH Pekan), CommuniTalk has emerged as a promising initiative to boost English language proficiency among Form 4 students from the school. This collaboration was designed following discussions with the Community Service unit members of Centre for Modern Languages (CML), UMPSA and the Programme Coordinator of Suruh Ilmuan of USIA Sarana Ascetic, Associate Professor Dr. Nina Suhaity Azmi, promising to be a transformative initiative tailored to boost students’ confidence and proficiency in English. USIA Sarana Ascetic consists of alumni, parents, and staff from SHAH Pekan, who also provided funds for the programme.
The programme was conducted on February 6, 2024, at the main lecture hall (DKU) in the CML, UMPSA, Pekan with 118 Form 4 students. Five teachers from the school joined the event alongside 13 staff from CML. In creating the activities for the programme, further discussions with the Community Service Unit (CSR) coordinator, Madam Nur Syafawati Sabuan and the CommuniTalk programme director, Madam Noor Azlinda Zainal Abidin were held to engage CML academic staff in creating innovative, interesting, and relevant activities for the students embedded with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
CommuniTalk provided a unique opportunity for participating students to immerse themselves in English language learning activities such as Earth Saver Saga and Earth Defenders. The contents of these speaking activities included discussions and presentations related to SDG issues. In the afternoon, the students had their lifetime experience of riding the first UMPSA electric bus for a short tour around UMPSA Pekan. This Campus Cruiser Express also allowed the students to learn more about UMPSA as they were guided by a tour guide on the bus with related information while enjoying their ride within a relaxed environment. Before the programme ended, the students had their chance to visit the UMPSA Clock Tower and capture their moment in UMPSA with a group photo with all the CommuniTalk committee members. CommuniTalk’s overarching goal was to heighten students’ awareness of the significance of effective communication in English, fostering active student participation in the process, and creating awareness of protecting our earth together.
CommuniTalk was not just an educational initiative but also a community-driven project aimed at enriching students’ language skills while fostering collaboration between educational institutions. As the programme unfolds, it holds the promise of making a positive impact on the linguistic capabilities and community engagement of the students involved, while simultaneously raising awareness of SDG issues and promoting collaborative efforts in saving our earth. The completion of the programme was certainly a great success. Let us join hands and work together to save the earth. If not now, when? Let our efforts speak volumes!
Written by:
Dr. Ruhil Amal Azmuddin and Noor Azlinda Zainal Abidin
