STORIES THAT SHAPE VALUES IN GLOBAL CLASSROOM
PEKAN, 3 SEPTEMBER 2025 – The Centre of Modern Languages (CML), Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), successfully hosted the second session of its Global Classroom (GC Standard) for ULE1212 Essential English.
Conducted from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., the session featured Associate Professor Dr. Suzanne Choo Shen Li from the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
Under the supervision of three language teachers, namely Rosnani Ismail, Nabila Abdul Malek, and Noraisah Nurul Fatwa Mohd Razali, 70 students from sections RE01, RP01, and RP02 participated actively in the session. While one section joined via live streaming from the Global Classroom studio, the other two sections participated via online.
Dr. Choo delivered a thought-provoking lecture entitled “Exploring Moral Values Through Literature,” emphasizing the power of literature to cultivate empathy, critical reflection, and ethical discernment. She explained that literature is not merely a form of entertainment or technical exercise, but a gateway to imaginative adventures where readers can step into the lives of others, grapple with moral dilemmas, and reflect on broader social concerns.
Using examples such as Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, The Paper Boat by Thao Lam, and Walk with Me by Jairo Buitrago, Dr. Choo demonstrated how stories convey values, highlight ethical conflicts, and sometimes reveal underlying biases.
Students engaged in interactive activities using menti.com, where they shared their reflections on selected stories, identified underlying messages, and connected literary themes to real-life contexts such as poverty, inequality, discrimination, and resilience. Through guided discussions, Dr. Choo encouraged students to recognize both visible and invisible forms of injustice represented in narratives, linking them to pressing global issues like human rights, gender equality, and cultural diversity.
This session formed part of the learning assessment for the GC (Standard) initiative, aligning with UMPSA’s goal of integrating language learning with ethical and intercultural awareness. By combining close reading with moral exploration, students strengthened not only their English proficiency but also their ability to think critically about societal values and responsibilities.
The GC initiative reflects UMPSA’s commitment to international collaboration and innovative pedagogy. By engaging with leading scholars like Dr. Choo, UMPSA students are empowered to broaden their perspectives, develop confidence in communication, and prepare themselves to become thoughtful, responsible, and globally minded graduates.
Prepared by: Rosnani Ismail, Nabila Abdul Malek & Noraisah Nurul Fatwa Mohd Razali