December graduation in ELS Johor Bahru was a fun filled event. Not only did the students and teachers enjoy themselves to the full but also RM1050 was raised for the Care Haven orphanage in JB. As soon as the students completed their exams on the eve of Graduation, they switched from an academic mode to a celebratory one. They were ready to unleash their artistic talents. Students scrambled for crepe paper, scissors, glue and paint to decorate their classroom doors. In just one hour a magnificent winter wonderland was created.

Graduation morning started with the early birds being rewarded with smiley badges, which they proudly wore. Students’ vocabulary knowledge was tested in the first activity, an ELS version of Scrabble. After utilizing their vocabulary knowledge, it was time for the students to put on their “running shoes” in preparation for the “Amazing Race” ELS style. Shouts, singing and laughter were heard as the students raced around the school, following clues, searching for the items they needed and overcoming “road blocks” before they could get the next set of clues. The students had just enough energy left to take part in the dress up competition. Rudolf really did come to JB Centre this year!

Next, was the much-awaited lucky draw, which had raised a large sum of money for the orphanage. Many students went home with beautiful prizes. In addition, one lucky person won a jar of candies having correctly guessed the number of candies in the jar. Finally, it was time to present the students with their progress reports and certificates. A fantastic time was had by all and students and teachers are already talking about next year’s graduation!

Every session in ELS JB, a student in each level is awarded “The Best Student” award and from this elite group an overall best student for the session is selected. These prestigious awards are presented at graduation. The criteria for winning the award include the student’s attendance, punctuality, participation, attitude and academic performance. Prospective candidates for the awards are nominated and voted on by teachers. Level winners receive certificates and the overall winner receives a beautifully engraved trophy.

The idea behind presenting these awards is to give additional motivation to students to perform to the best of their ability while at ELS. As graduation approaches students eagerly await the announcement of winners. On graduation day loud shouts of names of possible winners are heard from the audience of eager students. As the recipients’ names are announced, the winners walk proudly to the top of the room to receive their prizes. Anticipation reaches fever pitch before the best overall student is declared. Once announced cheers and shouts of congratulations are heard; cameras flash and videos are taken to be shown later to family and friends. Great memories of time spent in ELS Johor Bahru!

By CHEN PELF YEEN

THOUGH armed with only a UPSR (Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah) certificate, Abdullah Omar’s passion for the English language has led him to realise his potential, and a step closer to his dream of becoming a successful businessman.

The 25-year-old from Kampung Telipot, Kelantan may have started out as a waiter in a restaurant in Petaling Jaya three years ago, but is now poised to obtain his diploma in business after becoming the top scorer for the ELS Certified Intensive English Programme.

“I completed Year Six at Sekolah Rendah Islam Aman in Kota Baru and later received informal education at a religious school (sekolah pondok) for eight years.”

It was by chance that one day, a professor (Dr M. Jayakaran) who was a regular customer at the eatery spoke to me about English and began encouraging me to learn the language to better myself,” he said after receiving his certificate from Dr Jayakaran, an associate professor from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) recently.

After much persuasion, Abdullah applied for the UPM-ELS Scholarship Scheme (now known as the Tun Dr Mahathir UPM-ELS Scholarship awards) in 2007 to pursue an intensive English course at the ELS Language Centre in Petaling Jaya.

Abdullah admitted that in the beginning, he had wanted to give up the course due to his poor command of the language.

Peer pressure was also a factor, as most of his friends had already left school.

“I remember skipping classes for a month and went into hiding in my hometown,””he said.

However, he persevered, and after a year of attending the course, he was awarded the highest marks or Band 9 in the ELS exams, which is the equivalent of a TOEFL score of 550.

Encouraged with this success, Abdullah decided to go for his next challenge of getting his SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia) qualification the following year.

He passed all subjects with flying colours.

“I could not believe it that I would one day complete my formal education and get my SPM certificate,” he said.

On what he plans to do next, Abdullah said he would enrol in Kolej Politeknik Mara, Kota Baru to study for a Diploma in Business.

“Now I want to turn my attention towards fulfilling my dream of running my own business one day.

Meanwhile, more than 600 participants from 20 countries gathered at Equatorial Hotel Malacca for the International Conference On English Language Teaching (ICELT) recently.

Organised by UPM in collaboration with ELS Language Centres and Pearson, the two-day conference provided an avenue for teachers to exchange ideas with those associated with teaching English.

ICELT chairman Dr Jayakaran said that several comprehensive presentations and workshops were held during the conference to provide teaching methods and materials for teachers to cater to students with different proficiency levels.

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As you will see from the photos, the evening started with a fun bus ride from Bukit Bintang to Look Out Point, which sits on top of a hill next to Kuala Lumpur and offers spectacular views of the city. We enjoyed a wonderful meal together – speaking only English! – and after dinner, we all partook in games and dancing. There were even prizes for the students with the best dance and a birthday cake for those students born in October! After awarding prizes and eating the cake, we climbed to the top of the mountain and enjoyed the panoramic views of Kuala Lumpur. Indeed, the Petronas Towers and other sparkling skyscrapers were a wonderful sight to behold! After admiring the city we boarded our bus again and headed back to Bukit Bintang. Needless to say, with 30 students on the bus, there was no sleeping on the way home! More games, more songs and more fun with ELS BB!

Enjoy the photos!

On Friday, October 2, 2009, the students, teachers, friends and families of ELS Bukit Bintang held a memorable and fun event to share each others’ cultures and celebrate after an intense month of studying! Each class, from level 100 to 106, participated in this event and their Conversation teachers helped to facilitate each class’ performance. There was also a set of judges, including a former student from ELS Bukit Bintang who is now in student of law in Malaysia, to assess the classes and decide on which class had the best performance in regards to language, performance and attire.

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Here is an overview of the performances: the level 100 class performed a song about peace and harmony; the 101 class performed a mixed cultural show; the 102 class danced their hearts out to traditional music; the 103 class performed a traditional Yemeni dance; the 104 class did presentations about their countries; the 105 class informed the school about their countries’ cultures, food and customs; and, the 106 class created their own country and introduced the school to it.

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After the event the judges decided that the 101 class was the first place winner, the 103 was second place and 105 was the third place. The first place winners received movie tickets and the other two classes received Wendy’s meal vouchers. After the event ELS held a potluck lunch with food provided by both the school and the students! We had a mix of food from around the world and enjoyed each other’s company over delicious bites! After the event the students returned home and got ready for the start of a new session on October 5.

Keep your eyes open for more fun events at ELS Bukit Bintang!

Just English Sdn Bhd in collaboration with ELS Malaysia is sponsoring 20 eco-friendly teachers to join in this International Conference on English Language Teaching (ICELT) in Melaka on 10-11 November 2009.

Win a 2-night stay pass to ICELT 2009 in Melaka! Submit your best 55-minute English lesson plan on “Sustaining the Environment”. Click here for more info or visit ICELT official website.

On 18 July, 2009, ELS Bukit Bintang led a group 12 Kazakh students to Pangkor Island, a small, remote island located off the northwest peninsula of Malaysia. The island is lined with golden beaches and overhanging trees. The main industry on the island is, and has histrocially been, fishing and boat building. Even with its beauty and history, the island remains an untouched refuge for tourists seeking a relaxing and low-key holiday.

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The group departed from Kuala Lumpur’s city center early in the morning and headed to the western coast of Malaysia. Along the way, students got a glimpse of Malaysia’s natural beauty, passing forests full of palm trees, expansive paddy fields and traditional Malaysian fishing villages.

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Upon arrival to Lumut jetty, the group hopped on a boat and took a 30 minute ride to the shores of Pangkor Island. After checking into the hotel the students ate lunch quickly, eager to hit the sand and jump in the water. The students flew kits, rode on a banana boat and partook in an ad hoc swimming competition. They truly enjoyed themselves.

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On the day of departure, the students woke up early to have their breakfast and prepare for a dive in the sea. After checking out of the hotel the group went to Pangkor town to buy souvenirs to remember the experience. An hour later, the students assembled at Lumut jetty before heading back to Kuala Lumpur.

At 9 o’clock in the morning, the group of Kazakh students assembled themselves in front of their condominium for their departure to Genting Highlands, which is located just 45 minutes away from Kuala Lumpur on one of the peaks of the Titiwangsa Mountains. Along the way to Genting, the students were given a quick brief on the activities and attractions at Genting Highlands, which included: amusement park rides, shopping, traditional food and cool weather.

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Upon arrival to Malaysia’s City of Entertainment, the students were given tickets to enjoy a variety of rides in the theme parks, one of which is inside and the other which is outside. At 5.30 pm, the students gathered at the cable car station to travel down the mountain to their hostel at the Highlands Boarding International School (HBS). After getting situated and comfortable in their rooms, the students gathered for a group dinner. After dinner the students had free time to hang out with their friends, play games and enjoy each other’s company.

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On the last day of the excursion, the students woke up early and ate a hearty breakfast before they embarked on a two-hour jungle trek and team building activities. After the trip the students, exhausted but happy, returned to HBS to pack up and get ready to head back to Kuala Lumpur.

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The students arrived in Kuala Lumpur by early afternoon and indeed, they felt satisfied and happy after a weekend full of enjoyment in Genting Highlands.