GAME ON: ENGLISH EDITION EMPOWERS MRSM KUANTAN STUDENTS BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
KUANTAN, 24 April 2025 - Education flourishes within the classroom walls and when students actively engage in meaningful experiences beyond traditional learning environments. With this philosophy at heart, the Centre for Modern Languages (CML), Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), through its Community Service Responsibility (CSR) Unit and Language Support Committee (CLSC), initiated a language outreach programme designed to foster enthusiasm for English among lower secondary school learners.
This vision found its footing when the English Language Unit of the Language Department, MRSM Kuantan, extended an invitation to CML to conduct an immersive English language programme as part of the school’s Activity Week for 132 of their Form 3 students. This collaboration in Game On: English Edition, a vibrant, station-based initiative aimed at enhancing students’ language proficiency through engaging tasks that emphasise creativity, teamwork, and communication.
Led by Nur Syafawati Sabuan and supported by fellow CML staff; Nur Anisnabila Dianah, Shamsul Harbi, Noraisah Nurul Fatwa, and Dr Ezihaslinda Ngah, the initiative was further strengthened by the presence of 10 dedicated UMPSA student facilitators from diverse faculties, including the Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology, the Faculty of Industrial Management, the Faculty of Civil Engineering Technology, the Faculty of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology, and the Faculty of Computing.
Dr Ezihaslinda opened the programme with an energising ice-breaking session designed to foster a relaxed and inclusive environment to encourage students’ participation in the day’s activities. The momentum continued with a Pre-Game task facilitated by Shamsul, in which students collaborated to solve a word search puzzle. This activity not only promoted teamwork but also set the tone for the interactive experiences ahead.
Following the Pre-Game, students rotated through a series of 10 thematic stations, completing tasks within the time allocated. Each station targeted specific English language components and skills, offering a diverse and engaging learning experience. The stations included Lexicross, They Wouldn’t Know, Muscle Twist, Sing Your Heart Out!, Here Comes the Hunter, Dear Diary, News Flash!, Whisper Chain Challenge, Mix & Match, and Grammar Police. All activities were thoughtfully created to integrate vocabulary, grammar, and the four essential language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The winning team was determined based on the completion of tasks and the time taken to complete all challenges.
Throughout the event, students responded with visible enthusiasm, creativity, and collaboration. Their active participation reflected a willingness to communicate in English with increasing confidence and spontaneity. One of the participants, Mohamad Amir Afzal bin Mohamad Faizal, rated the programme as excellent, sharing that he thoroughly enjoyed the games while gaining better awareness of grammar use. He found the activities fun, meaningful, and effective in helping him express himself more confidently in English. Echoing the positive sentiments, Shazlin Suzanna Abd Razak, the Coordinator of Form 4 IGCSE Batch, conveyed her appreciation and wonder to the team for making English learning more fun and engaging. Likewise, UMPSA facilitators expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to such an engaging and enriching language learning experience. The programme enabled them to gain wide experience in being in control of executing their assigned responsibilities to the maximum, which would benefit them, especially for their lifelong learning purposes.
Given the overwhelmingly positive response, this initiative reflects a continued commitment to promoting English through interactive outreach. The CML team extends its sincere appreciation to MRSM Kuantan for their collaboration and trust in hosting the programme. The success of Game On: English Edition highlights the importance of collective effort and shared educational values. The team also expresses gratitude to the CML management for their ongoing support and guidance.
Prepared by:
Nur Anisnabila Dianah, Nur syafawati Sabuan, and Shamsul Harbi