STORIES, SOUNDS, AND SMILES: WARNAKIDS ENGLISH READING SERIES LAUNCHED IN COLLABORATION WITH UMPSA
CYBERJAYA, 25 MAY 2025 – This past month, a quiet but meaningful workshop unfolded at Shaftsbury Asteria, Cyberjaya. The Warnakids English Reading Series, held on May 24 and 25, brought together a group of dedicated preschool teachers, a series of thoughtfully designed books, and a team of passionate educators from the Centre for Modern Languages (CML), Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA). The CML trainers involved were Associate Professor Dr. Noor Raha Mohd Radzuan, Dr. Wan Jumani Fauzi, Aisyah Khaleeda Rosli, Dr. Ezihaslinda Ngah, Alia Najaa Md Nor, Farah Liyana Ahmad A’azmey and Hajjah Noor Azlinda Zainal Abidin. It was a gathering rooted in the belief that learning English can be joyful, engaging, and deeply human, especially for young learners.
The workshop primarily aimed to introduce the participants to the first three books of the Warnakids English Reading Series. Specifically, it sought to equip them with effective approaches, fresh ideas, and the confidence to bring language learning to life in the classroom. Warnakids, the organiser behind the English Reading Series training, partnered with UMPSA not only to develop the book content but also to train teachers in how to use it meaningfully. Over two full days, UMPSA educators worked side by side with participating teachers, guiding them through practical techniques that combine creativity, sound-based learning, and child-friendly classroom strategies.
At the heart of the sessions was the CREATIVE approach, a way of teaching that goes beyond worksheets and drills. Instead, it taps into movement, emotion, and imagination. Teachers were introduced to phonemic awareness and the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) in a playful, accessible way, helping them understand how young children begin to hear and produce sounds in English. Much to everyone’s delight, the IPA chart became a fast favourite, with participants jumping right in, laughing through the sounds, and showing just how quickly they could learn something new. By the end of it, the trainers couldn’t help but feel a quiet confidence that these teachers were more than ready to take the magic back to their own classrooms. They also explored whole-brain teaching, a method of classroom management that supports both structure and spontaneity, perfect for energetic little ones. Throughout the training, participants took part in group activities, shared their ideas, and built a sense of community among fellow educators.
One of the most memorable parts of the weekend was the introduction to the story-listening technique, a gentle, engaging method of storytelling that does not rely on flashy props or acting, but rather on the power of a well-told tale. The trainers had the most fun demonstrating the technique, drawing on their inner storytellers with playful energy and heartfelt delivery. As they performed, the room grew still. The teachers were not just learning, they were remembering what it feels like to be completely absorbed in a story. For many, it was a moment of rediscovery: that storytelling, when done with care and purpose, can be one of the most powerful tools in the classroom.
“This is not just about using a new book,” one teacher shared during a break. “It is about seeing our students differently, and teaching them in a way that actually works.” That sentiment echoed throughout the event. The Warnakids English Reading Series is not just a product, it is a philosophy. It believes that teaching language is not only about grammar or vocabulary, but about connection. It’s about meeting children where they are, listening to their voices, and giving them the space to grow.
As the workshop came to a close, the teachers left not only with new books and lesson plans, but with renewed energy and ideas they could not wait to bring into their classrooms. There were no big speeches or grand ceremonies, just meaningful work, quiet inspiration, and a shared hope that this kind of learning will reach more children in the months to come.
Sometimes, it is the simple, heartfelt efforts, the kind that happen in event space rooms with coffee cups and laughter, that leave the biggest impact. And for the teachers who walked into Shaftsbury Asteria that morning, and the children who will one day hold those books in their hands, that weekend was the start of something that truly matters.
Prepared by: Aisyah Khaleeda Rosli, Alia Najaa Md Nor & Farah Liyana Ahmad A’azmey