The pilot initiative, Secondary Plus: Project-Based Learning for B40 Students, allowed 13-15 year old’s to grow their English aptitude interactively.
Siblings Nur Azira bt Abdul Aziz and Muhammad Haiqal bin Abdul Aziz spoke with quiet confidence about their improved English ability after a 10-week pilot initiative organised by the Ministry of Education’s English Language Teaching Centre in partnership with the British Council.
The teenagers, part of the 20-youth involved in the Secondary Plus: Project-Based Learning for B40 Students initiative, attributed their increase in capability due to the dynamic, project-based approach to learning.
“I have grown from a level of six to nine,” said Azira enthusiastically, adding that she looked forward to signing up for similar courses in the future.
Her brother, Haiqal, agreed immediately, sharing that he is now able to talk confidently in front of large crowds.
The students, from a selected school in Chow Kit, were enrolled into two five-week modules designed to see them speak confidently and increase their reading ability at the end of the course.
Jazreel Goh, Director of the British Council in Malaysia, expressed deep admiration for the initiative’s transformative impact on students.
Jazreel Goh, Director of the British Council Malaysia, addresses the audience, emphasising the transformative impact of project-based learning on students’ confidence and English proficiency.
“Andrew Quick, their teacher, connected with the students exceptionally well during the weekly two-hour sessions. It’s heartening to see how much more confidently they speak and carry themselves now compared to when they first began,” she shared.
“Initiatives like this, part of the British Council’s Secondary courses suite, not only strengthen English language skills but also nurture essential life competencies such as collaboration and critical thinking. These are vital in today’s economy, alongside more intangible traits like resilience, adaptability and self-assurance,” she said.
The Ministry of Education Malaysia acting deputy director general of Education Malaysia professional development sector, Rohayati bt Abd Hamid said the 10-week journey the students had been on nurtured their confidence, creativity and active engagement through student-centred learning experiences.
“The Ministry of Education believes that every child deserves access to quality education, regardless of their background. By investing in our B40 students, we are investing in the future of Malaysia, empowering young Malaysians to rise above their circumstances and contribute meaningfully to our society and economy,” she said.
She applauded the British Council’s approach, saying the students were highly motivated by their teacher whose student-centred approach was able to meet the students’ level of comprehension and demonstrated the importance of such an approach, adding that the collaboration exemplifies the kind of strategic partnership that drives sustainable and meaningful education reforms.
The two modules, Let’s Enjoy Life and School can be cool!, were developed based on an IB topic of investigation, and using English to achieve real world outcomes through project-based learning. The end goal was to ensure students have a better comprehension level including understanding of tenses and enhance their collaborative skills.