Using newspapers to spark curiosity in classrooms

The Star

25-06-2025

The 60 primary school teachers smiling for a group photo at the end of the workshop held at Menara Star, Petaling Jaya. — Photos: Low Lay Phon/The Star
NEWSPAPER articles feature a wide variety of topics that can ignite curiosity among students and encourage them to explore further.
Chang Siew Juen, a retired teacher who is now a freelance trainer, said she began using The Star's Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) content in classrooms nearly two decades ago.
'When I was first introduced to Star-NiE, I found its content, from vocabulary to grammar to writing exercises, incredibly useful.
'So I began using it regularly for my lessons,' she said du­­­ring a workshop at Menara Star in Petaling Jaya.
The workshop, organised in collaboration with the Petaling Utama District Education Office (PPD), was attended by 60 primary school English language teachers.
During the session, teachers received tips on how to incorporate The Star into their daily lessons and in planning classroom activities.
Chang, who has more than 30 years of teaching experience, said newspapers complement information found in textbooks.
Teachers presenting a mind map of their lesson using newspaper cutouts.
'Newspapers contain a lot of localised current issues that students can relate to,' she said.
'News reports reflect events in their communities and students tend to find that very interesting,' she noted.
Chang said there was value in physical reading materials such as newspapers, even in the digital age.
'Although digital devices are commonly used, excessive usage may be harmful to young children.
'These devices are also not allowed in schools. Newspapers, on the other hand, are a welcome addition in classrooms,' she said.
Petaling Utama PPD School Improvement coaching specialist Christina Thevamalar said teachers who attended the workshops could implement what they learned and go on to share their knowledge with their colleagues.
'Teachers can get creative with newspapers, such as instructing students to cut out words and photos for class activities,' she said.
'This transforms the lesson into a multi-sensory activity, allowing students to use their motor skills while also improving their language skills,' she added.
Workshop participants planning their lessons around the use of newspaper content.
Christina raised concerns about reading habits that were declining among young children.
'Nowadays, many are glued to their devices. With newspapers, teachers can assign materials for pupils to read and discuss in classrooms,' she said.
Also present was Star Media Group circulation department senior general manager (print) KS Goh, who thanked McDonald's Malay­sia for sponsoring participants' goodie bags, and Munchy's for contributing LEXUS Chocolate Chip Cookies Dark Chocolate for this teachers workshop.
Since its inception in 1997, Star-NiE has supported English language teaching and learning in primary and secondary schools nationwide.
Star-NiE activities are available in StarEdu on Sundays and in StarLifestyle from Tuesdays to Fridays.
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