Latest news with #Newspaper-in-Education
The Star
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Beyond cut-and-paste learning
Creativity unleashed: Participants presenting a story created from newspaper pictures during an activity. USING newspapers for learning often struck Tay Yee Meh as merely a cut-and-paste activity. That was before she took part in a workshop that opened her eyes to out-of-the-box methods of turning newspapers into an engaging classroom tool. At the workshop held under The Star's Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme at the Manjung District Education Office in Perak recently, the SMK Pantai Remis teacher experienced the myriad possibilities such use could offer. The activities - conducted by Star-NiE freelance trainer U. Ruthra Devy - ranged from creating stories based on newspaper pictures to carrying out interactive language tasks, bringing fun to learning while boosting language proficiency. 'I had not expected the workshop to be so engaging. 'I initially thought it was just about cutting out materials from newspapers and pasting them, but there are so many possibilities - like using the materials creatively for activities such as creating poems, songs and riddles,' she said. Affirming that it was 'doable' to teach classes using newspapers, Tay said she plans to apply this method in classes with higher English proficiency first, before adapting it for those with lower proficiency. 'I hope that more workshops like this can be held, as they give teachers a boost and much-needed support,' she added. Tay was among 43 teachers from 21 secondary schools in the district who took part in the workshop, held on June 23. Another participant, SMK Seri Samudera teacher Roshida Abu Bakar, also looks forward to using newspapers in her classes. 'I've often followed the Star-NiE programme and I believe that newspapers can help students improve their English. 'I've been using ChatGPT in my classes but learnt (from the workshop) that it doesn't help students develop their ability to think critically and creatively. 'I want to try using newspapers in class,' she said. Roshida added that the workshop provided valuable exposure to teachers. 'Not many teachers know how to use newspapers as teaching materials, and I believe many, including the younger ones, are receptive to using this methodology,' she said. Ruthra, who has 24 years of experience as an English language teacher, urged teachers to promote reading over scrolling among students. She said that while advanced technology like artificial intelligence (AI) is a fantastic invention, it cannot help schoolchildren develop their creative or critical thinking skills. 'Instead of using AI like ChatGPT in classrooms, newspapers should be the go-to resource to help students hone abilities that could benefit them in their future endeavours,' she said, adding that newspapers feature current issues as well as other topics that can provide students with knowledge and ideas. She also emphasised the importance of teachers instilling confidence in their students and encouraging them to speak, listen and read more in order to tap into their creative and critical thinking abilities. 'These are the skills required in the real world, not just academic results,' she said, adding that those who are proficient in the English language often stand out. 'The only way to be proficient in English is to start in school,' she stressed. She expressed hope that the workshop participants would be inspired to use creative means to teach their students. 'I hope they are able to bring back ideas and implement them in their schools. 'They just have to start, and once students get on board, everything will move forward,' she said. 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 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. For enquiries, email starnie@
The Star
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Teachers embrace fun newspaper lessons
Pasir Gudang teachers taking part in the Star-NiE workshop at SMK Taman Daya 2 in Johor Baru. — Courtesy photos OVER 100 teachers immersed themselves in fresh and engaging English language activities during The Star's Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) workshop. One of the participants, SMK Seri Kota Puteri teacher Siti Nadia Saff'ai Hanan, said she had never used newspapers in the classroom. 'It was our first time being exposed to activities like a newspaper scavenger hunt and even making songs from articles. 'We never knew such creative teaching methods existed. 'It really opened our eyes to how fun and flexible English lessons can be,' she said. Inspired by the workshop, Siti Nadia said she wasted no time in putting into action the ideas she had learnt. On that very day, she went on to conduct the same session with all six English language teachers at her school in Masai. 'I decided to share what I had learned from the session with English teachers from my school as I believe it will also help them make learning the language fun,' she said. Siti Nadia has shared what she learnt at the workshop with her fellow teachers. B. Subash, from SJK (T) Ladang Mount Austin, Johor Baru, expressed hope for similar sessions to be made available to all English language teachers. 'I've always heard about the NiE workshop, and we have been requesting for it since last year after having getting positive feedback from teachers in other districts. 'True enough, the workshop activities captured everyone's attention and got both senior and new teachers on our feet. 'The only drawback was the limited time of the workshop, as we only managed to try out two activities together,' said Subash, who has been a teacher for 20 years. Pasir Gudang School Improvement Specialist Coach Plus officer Nurulha Abd Rahman, who invited The Star to conduct the workshop, said the training was especially relevant for new teachers working with students struggling in English. Subash hopes all English language teachers can benefit from Star-NiE. 'With 21 years of teaching experience, I have seen how difficult it can be for students with Tahap Penguasaan 1 or mastery level 1 (TP1) and TP2 for English, especially those who cannot read or write in the language. 'NiE is practical and engaging as it offers real-world content that makes learning meaningful. 'It is helpful especially for teachers who need a different approach,' she said. Held at Dewan Imtiyaz in SMK Taman Daya 2, Johor Baru, the workshop was organised in collaboration with Pasir Gudang District Education Office (PPD). The morning session was attended by 37 secondary school teachers while 75 primary school teachers joined the afternoon session. Nurulha: Teachers are eager to put what they have learnt into practice. Nurulha also noted the importance of incorporating newspaper-based English teaching, especially with the growing number of new teachers in the district. 'The hands-on activities introduced by Star-NiE trainer Shoba Rani Dev created a fun and interactive environment. 'Even the teachers were as excited as children. They are eager to try out what they have learnt with their students,' Nurulha added.
The Star
25-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Using newspapers to spark curiosity in classrooms
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. For enquiries, email starnie@
The Star
22-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Timeless tool for English learners
Lively session: Ruthra (standing) interacting with the workshop participants, including Anudsara (second from right). — LIM BENG TATT/The Star WHILE new approaches in the 21st-century classroom are vital to keep up with the times, longstanding tried-and-true methods can be just as relevant and effective. U. Ruthra Devy said newspapers continue to play a valuable role in education, even in today's digital age. The educator, who has 24 years of experience as an English language teacher, noted that with digitalisation, the current generation of students is 'very different' from those in the past. 'They often turn to quick online searches and lack the habit of reading deeply to gain knowledge. 'They are easily bored by traditional textbook learning and now require more interactive and engaging methods. 'Fortunately, newspapers still offer a wide range of topics and activities that can ignite curiosity and capture students' interest,' she said when met at a recent workshop at the Perlis Education Department branch in SK Seri Indera, Kangar, held under The Star's Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme. Ruthra, who attended the June 11 workshop as a Star-NiE freelance trainer, conducted a four-hour session in which she gave some 21 secondary school teachers hands-on experience using The Star newspaper as a dynamic tool for English learning. From creative cutouts to interactive language activities, the workshop showcased how newspapers can breathe new life into classroom teaching and boost language comprehension. Agreeing with Ruthra, Perlis Education Department School Improvement Specialist Coaches Plus (SISC+) Language mentor Chong Yeo Nee, who was present at the session, said she looked forward to seeing newspapers incorporated into teaching across all 74 primary and 28 secondary government schools in the state. 'The newspaper is a powerful medium, as it not only sparks creativity but also provides up-to-date reports on global issues, helping to broaden readers' perspectives on current topics. 'With English widely recognised as the global lingua franca, students can grow into more informed global citizens by learning through an English daily like The Star. 'It also encourages the younger generation to actively seek information to foster deeper insight and expand their horizons,' she said. Workshop participant Muhammad Hisyamudeen Hayat, 30, a teacher at SMK Dato' Ali Ahmad, said he planned to integrate the use of newspapers into his lessons in phases. 'In the past, we had always relied on digital means to teach the students but never used newspapers. Seeing their potential, I'll introduce newspapers to develop English language skills across all proficiency levels. 'With an array of articles and columns to explore in each issue, there will be a lot of new vocabulary to pick up, and the dictionary will be a useful complement,' he said. SMK Tengku Suleiman teacher V.C. Anudsara, 27, who has used newspapers in her lessons, said students have shown growing interest in the medium. 'It is a good medium to expose students to a diverse range of global knowledge. 'As a teacher, it is my job to ensure that they understand the content and that they continue learning beyond it,' she said. She added that unlike traditional textbooks, newspapers serve as a window that brings knowledge from the outside world into the classroom. Also present at the session were Star Media Group circulation senior executive Raj Kumar Abraham and senior marketing representative Tan Guan Seng. 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 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. For enquiries, email starnie@
The Star
01-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Learning beyond the headlines
WITH just two years left before his retirement, English language teacher Syed Roslan Syed Khalid remains enthusiastic about learning new ways to enliven his lessons. When the chance to attend a workshop under The Star's Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme presented itself recently, the SMK Mutiara Impian (Penang Sports School) teacher was delighted to be selected. 'This is my second Star-NIE workshop. I attended the first one many years ago. 'This time around, I was eager to discover how the newspaper can continue to play a meaningful role in a student's life, even in an age dominated by electronic gadgets,' he said when met at the workshop, held at SMK Jawi in Nibong Tebal on May 20. The 58-year-old was among 28 teachers representing 17 secondary schools in Penang's South Seberang Perai district. Conducted by Star-NiE freelance trainer U. Ruthra Devy, who has 24 years of experience as an English language teacher, the workshop – the third Star-NiE session held in Penang this year – was organised in collaboration with the South Seberang Perai District Education Office. Syed Roslan said he was happy to pick up new tips, noting that teachers today face the challenge of engaging students who prefer to use their gadgets to read and source information rather than turning to books. 'Right from the first activity, the trainer showed us how we can use pictures and stories from The Star newspaper in creative and fun ways for students of all proficiency levels – low, intermediate and high,' he said. He added that the workshop's activities demonstrated how teachers can engage students progressively, starting with simple tasks, including ice-breaking exercises at the beginning of the new school year. 'The workshop also showed us how we can use a newspaper to build students' confidence by improving their reading, writing, speaking and critical thinking skills,' he said. J. Vinosha, 27, a first-time teacher at SMK Seri Nibong who teaches English to Forms One, Two and Four, said the workshop piqued her curiosity when she first heard about it. 'I was curious about how teachers could engage students using a newspaper, especially when even using a textbook can sometimes be a challenge in getting their attention. 'I am glad I attended this workshop because I found it very engaging and exciting – I kept looking forward to what was in store next,' she said. Anne Ting Ping Hua, 42, a Mathematics teacher at SMK Bandar Tasek Mutiara who also teaches English, was surprised to find that the workshop differed from the usual format of participants merely sitting and listening. 'It was completely hands-on, and we had so much fun interacting, exchanging ideas, laughing and using props – all while finishing our tasks using copies of The Star. 'So, imagine the fun students will have when we go back to school and apply these activities in class,' she said. Describing the programme as an eye-opener, first-time teacher Nur Syifaa Ismail, 27, from SMK Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, said she looked forward to applying the techniques in her English lessons. At the start of the workshop, Ruthra highlighted the use of newspapers in the classroom, emphasising that they are 'a very flexible resource, carrying real-world content, enhancing general knowledge, and improving speaking, listening, reading and writing skills'. She also stressed the importance of teachers taking 'baby steps' with students who are not proficient in English, helping them develop and build confidence progressively. 'Don't rush them. For instance, during oral classes, let them speak at their level and pace. 'We don't want them to speak perfect English or write essays without any mistakes. 'Let them go at their own pace but be consistent with them, and you will help build their confidence progressively,' she said. Also present at the workshop was Star Media Group Circulation (North) manager Eileen Ooi. 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 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. For enquiries, email starnie@
