Assalamu`alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
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First of all, I would like to thank the committee
members of the English-In-Camp Programme for inviting me to this wonderful
event and also for giving me a great opportunity to deliver a speech in this closing
ceremony for English-in-Camp programme this evening. I must add that it gives
me an enormous sense of satisfaction to be here with all of you today because
as we all know, English Language has always been a very important subject in school.
Even though many would consider Science and Math to
be the most important subjects, we should also remember that without being fluent
in English, there are many things that you will miss in life. For example, to
be considered for a scholarship, you need to get at least an A for English.
Proficiency in English is definitely very important
nowadays. An article in The Star recently mention about a survey conducted by Jobstreet.
It was revealed that having a good command of the English Language is
increasingly important in the workplace. It even mentioned that some 56% of the
employers indicated that they had to turn away candidates because of their poor
command of English.
Being good in English doesn’t mean getting an A in
your English written examination only. It also means that you have to be able
to converse fluently using the language.
When you are considered proficient in English, you
don’t only write well in English but also speak well, listen well and read
well. You will not become proficient if you are good in writing only.
In other words, to become proficient in English you
need to acquire the four main skills
which are listening, speaking , reading and writing. There are various
activities that you can participate in order to learn or acquire the language. The Deputy Education Minister, Datuk Mary Yap
has suggested schools to hold English
Day, English Week, Elocution Contests or Public Speaking Competition, Drama Performances
and ensure full participation in English Language Society or Debate Club.
Previously we had PPSMI which is The Teaching and
Learning of Science and Mathematics in English to strengthen English Language
proficiency, but the Cabinet has decided not to continue with the policy. So now we have to find other ways to help
students learn English. PPSMI was introduced to expose students to the usage of
English in other subjects, namely Science and Mathematics. We can do the same
thing that is to expose students to English by organizing more activities like
this.
It is hoped that by having the English In Camp
programme , we can help to :
- motivate students to use the English Language.
- build individual character, confidence and skills through a wide range of activities.
- instill the lifelong values of teamwork and individual responsibility in the given tasks.
- encourage students to form social relationships and make new friends.
- And last but not least develop leadership skill.
The English-In-Camp programme has actually been
planned many months ago but has been postponed because of difficulties in finding
facilitators for this programme. Even
though the school alumni decided to hold it in May, it was postponed because of
this problem. So when Nur Izzati Binti
Riduan and her colleagues agreed to help the school, it was very fortunate for
us.
Today we have
successfully completed a two-day-one- night English- in-Camp programme and I
think both parties have benefitted from the programme. I definitely see
confidence being built in the students as well as the facilitators. We are deeply touched to see that the
facilitators have shown exceptional effort and outstanding
contributions in making sure this programme is
carried out successfully.
Therefore, I would like to thank the Director of Darul Iman Teachers
Training Institute or IPDA as well as the lecturers and mentors for allowing
your students to become facilitators for this programme. Without the
institute’s support, it would be difficult for us to carry out the programme.
Our special
thanks go to the facilitators who have worked so tirelessly to make this
programme a success; each one of you has
worked real hard to make sure that the activities were successful and fun.
A special thanks also goes to Nor Izzati Riduan , the school alumni,
who is very supportive when approached .
She and her classmates have constantly been in touch with the school to make
sure everything is well planned before the event started. I’m sure you’d all agree that the way the
facilitators handled the program definitely encouraged the students to gain their confidence when communicating
in the language. To all the facilitators , you have come here with the
objective to help and indeed you have helped us . Thank you.
I would also like
to thank Mekap 3 advisor and teachers and of course all the English teachers
for making this event a reality. I would also like to express my gratitude to
SMSTSP alumni who have supported and contributed to this good cause.
Last
but not least I would also congratulate all the Form 3 students who have
cooperated and tried to improve themselves… I am sure that this programme
has successfully boosted your self-confidence and hopefully all of you will be
motivated to use English in your every day communication. I hope that you have
overcome your fear in using the language. My advice to you is “Master English to get ahead”.
It is my hope that this programme will become an
annual event and hopefully the facilitators will be willing to come again to
this school and lend their hand to help promote language proficiency among
students, This event definitely will forge strong ties between our
organizations.
Lastly, I would once again dedicate this special thanks to the Director of IPDA , the lecturers and the
trainee teachers from IPDA for making this programme a reality. To all
facilitators, thank you for coming and handling the programme. I hope that you
will be able to take away some valuable experience and lovely memories. Without your help,
this programme will be impossible to be carried out.
On that note it gives me great pleasure to
officially close the English In Camp 2013 programme.
Thank you
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