ELS Penang Guiness Records Competition

On 21st May 2008, ELS Penang hosted its very own Guiness Records competition. Teacher Amelia and Mr Loo presented the fun-packed activities, as students from different levels vied for supremacy in ten different categories, some of which were very unusual!

Larger-than-life Libyan Ahmed Amehdawi, of Level 103, proved to be the showstopper as he topped the following categories: The Broadest Thumb Nail, The Longest Ear Lobe, The Biggest Foot. He also shared first place for the Longest Little Toe with 102A’s Thai teenager Chayavit Suemanotham (a.k.a. Mr T!), Thai girl Nidjaree (Da) Avepronpanit (102B) and Saudi Arabia’s Almoghalliq Hussein Ali (104).

Inspired by this success, Mr T then continued his winning streak. What he lacked for in age, he made up for with the longest distance between his eyes!

Another affable Ahmed – Ahmed Alrifai of Level 104 – won The Widest Smile category. This shouldn’t have surprised anyone, as his sizzling Syrian smile was always beaming around ELS!

When The Longest Facial Hair category was announced, there was a roar of laughter from the audience, as Yemeni Salem Munassar (Level 101), with his fluffy, black beard, came out a clear winner!

By contrast, the follicly-challenged Ali Saleh Ba Odhah (Level 102B) prevailed in The Shortest Hair category.

Korea’s Kim Ju Hyuk (101) and Malaysia’s very own Wong Jey Yuan (affectionately known as JY – Level 102B), broke the Arab-Thai stranglehold, by jointly claiming The Thickest Neck Category.

Not to be outdone, Level 106’s Joe Yang Hyeon then shocked everyone. In a category associated with the fairer sex, the Korean teenager upstaged the girls by triumphing with The Tiniest Waist! He measured a svelte 23 inches, which any supermodel would be proud of!

Level 103 won the overall competition thanks to the feats of Ahmed Amehdawi but everyone was a winner on a day of great drama and excitement.

Let’s see if these records will be broken next year!

ELS Centres Show They Care for Disaster Victims

PRESS RELEASE

Kuala Lumpur, 10 June 2008 (Tues),

ELS Language Centres in Malaysia, with its students from all over the world, showed their concern for the victims of the Myanmar Typhoon and China Earthquake by offering prayers and donations. It is indeed heart warming to see students of all nationalities, cultures and religions helping the victims of these two disasters.

Ms. Chee Yin Fair, CEO of ELS Language Centres presented a cheque of RM20,000 to the 1st Secretary of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Malaysia today in aid of the Sichuan China Earthquake victims. Mr Zeng JiXin, the First Secretary of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Malaysia thanked the students of ELS Language Centres for their generous donation.

ELS Language Centres Malaysia always encourages its staff and students to be socially responsible. The culture of responding to crisis all over the world reflects on its international outlook that the woes of any community in any part of the world should affect it as much as its own crisis.

Not forgetting the Myanmar Typhoon disaster, ELS Language Centres is donating RM7,548 to help ease the hardship of the victims.

ELS Language Centres, Malaysia (www.els.edu.my) is one of the leading providers of quality English language courses in the world. With 79 centres located worldwide, ELS has a proven track record in preparing its students for school, further studies and career development. It is also an authorised centre for the TOEFL® iBT examination by ETS.

If you would like more information about ELS courses, please visit our website: www.els.edu.my or send us an email: info@els.edu.my

Forget You Not, Tioman

When people think of Malaysia, they tend to imagine pristine beaches with lots of sunshine and beautiful weather. The students from ELS-KL had the opportunity to experience just that; the best of what Malaysia has to offer can be found a stone throw away.

From beginning to end, 26 students and staff from ELS Kuala Lumpur enjoyed a three day / two night excursion to Tioman Island. On May 14th, at 11:30 pm, a bus picked all eager participants up in front of the school to begin their journey to an island paradise. The students tended to be boisterous, but as the bus ride was a long one (7 hours), they quieted down their singing and chatting to try to get a few hours of sleep before the next leg of their journey began.

By the time Mersing came into sight at 6:30 in the morning, almost everyone was awake and anticipating a sight of the South China Sea that we would soon have to cross. After a quick breakfast of ‘roti chanai’ and ‘telur’, everyone was ready to embark from the jetty by boat. The ferry ride across to the island of about two hours was refreshing and amazing. To see so many islands with palm trees and beaches in pristine condition was something that most of us had never seen before.

When the ferry docked at Tioman Island, everyone followed our guide to the Paya Resort where we were staying at. After receiving our room assignments and keys, quite a few decided to have a quick cat nap before lunch. As the first day on the Island was designated as a day to ourselves, many took to the beach or went exploring after lunch. Several games of volleyball, which also included a member of the staff from the resort, were also an enticing activity for many of us.

By the end of the first day, most students and staff were starved. We weren’t disappointed when our hosts brought out dishes of squid, chicken rice and vegetables. Most ate with relish and enjoyed after dinner coffee or tea. By this time, all were tired out from the fresh air and sunshine that they had enjoyed throughout the day. Sleep was welcomed by most.

The next day began with an early breakfast for most; some were just too tired to get up that early. The main activity for this day will not soon be forgotten, as for all of us it was a unique, unbelievable one. Snorkeling within a marine park of Tioman’s reputation was something that words can not describe. Suffice it to say, that if you have a chance to get to Tioman Island to enjoy the waters and tropical fish there, I would advise everyone who comes to Malaysia to go to this wonder of wonders. Clean water and amazing sites went hand in hand underwater as well as above water. From some of the students being able to drive the boats, to underwater antics, this was definitely the highlight of the trip.

Even though a packed lunch was included in the middle of the snorkeling, which was great, most of us had used enough energy that we couldn’t wait to dig in to dinner. Upon arriving back at our resort, a few drifted back to their cabins to sleep. When it was time for supper, most partook in it with relish, as we had all built up quite a hunger by then. After sating our appetites, spirited discussions and conversations popped up about what we had seen throughout our day. Sleep followed late for most as we all realized it was our last day to enjoy our tropical paradise.

The next morning most found it difficult to wake up early for breakfast as it tended to be too soon from the night before. However, as we had to catch the ferry back by 10:00 am, everyone was dragged out of their peaceful dreams of sun and surf. Again, the ferry ride was an experience not to be forgotten. The weather seemed to know it was an ending, as we were beset by high winds and overcast skies.

By the time we had taken the ferry back to Mersing and the bus back to KL, we knew it was truly over. Was it a dream or did it really happen? Whatever the answer, I’m sure every one of the people that went to Tioman will remember this trip as one of the highpoints of their lives. Thanks to all who went…

ELS, KL Graduation – Teachers’ Day

One of ELS Malaysia’s most endearing traditions is the end-of-session graduation ceremony, an event during which successful students in levels 103, 106 and 109 – the celebrated exit levels – receive certificates of proficiency attainment. The event is organized and hosted by a trio of instructors upon whom is also thrust the responsibility of a suitable theme to add colour to the occasion.

For the May 2008 graduation, the organizing committee decided to do things somewhat differently by asking the students of Level 109 to host the ceremony with the theme of Teachers’ Day as a backdrop and also run a few activities in accordance with the selected theme. True to 109 form, the entire class jumped at the opportunity to show their appreciation for all that their instructors had done for them during their stay with ELS.

The ceremony kicked off with a hilarious sketch based on the award-winning British comedy series, Mind your language, with the 109 students aping, among others, Mr. Brown, Ranjit and Ali. This was followed by a tongue-in-cheek tongue-twister contest with a twist: instructors only could participate – a truly unexpected twist – and the tongue-twisters were not in English, but in the native languages of the hosting students. For the students, both hosting and attending, it was sweet revenge – at its best!

Saving the best for last, the hosting students sang a song composed by one of their number in appreciation of their instructors from whom they had learned so much during the course of their studies in ELS. With the awarding of certificates completed, the graduation ceremony closed with yet another word of thanks to all instructors, lecturers and teachers everywhere for the invaluable contribution educators in all fields continue to make towards providing the nation they serve with tomorrow’s leaders.

New ELS Centre Boosts Malaysia as ELT Hub

New state-of-the-art ELS Language Centre in Bukit Bintang, KL signals country’s growing status as international English language learning hub.

As Malaysia pursues its policy of accelerating development of human capital through education and training, much emphasis has been placed on strengthening Malaysia’s image as an educational hub, not just for Southeast Asia but for the global marketplace.

Having won ELS USA’s prestigious award for being the region’s “Top Foreign Students Destination Award“, ELS Malaysia typifies the country’s success in building a rock-solid reputation for English language learning. With the opening of the new, state-of-the-art language centre at the corner of Bukit Bintang’s main intersection (its fourth in the Klang Valley), ELS is poised to welcome even more local and foreign students with the famous warm Malaysian hospitality.

As one of Malaysia’s top providers of English language courses, ELS is well-known for its quality of service and strong, effective solutions for those who want proficient English quickly. Their Intensive English Programme (IEP) has long been the benchmark for improvement in the language in the shortest possible time. Small classes, qualified instructors, proven proprietary materials, student-centred teaching and learning, and most of all ELS’s genuine interest in the welfare of its students make learning at the centres a truly wonderful experience.

The new Bukit Bintang ELS Language Centre also uses the latest educational technology as a key component in its day-to-day lessons, with ELS having just launched one of Malaysia’s most advanced computer-based language learning facilities, called the Learning Technology Centre (LTC) in each ELS centre. The LTC, a state-of-the-art language learning facility, provides the latest facilities and CALL (Computer-Aided Language Learning) methods to accelerate the language learning ability of its students and give them access to online English language lessons and resources to suit their own customised learning needs, making ELS the most modern language training provider in the country.

And the new centre’s location overlooking the Bukit Bintang traffic junction in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s leisure haven will prove hard to resist. Bintang Walk, YTL’s Starhill, Pavilion, Berjaya Times Square and numerous other malls and attractions are within a few minutes’ walk. Easy access by all manner of public transport will certainly add to the new paradigm of learning English in the best possible environment, and with glamour and excitement.

ELS Language Centres, Malaysia (www.els.edu.my) is one of the leading providers of quality English language courses in the world. With 79 centres located worldwide, ELS has a proven track record in preparing its students for school, further studies and career development. It is also an authorized centre for the iBT TOEFL examination by ETS.

If you would like more information about ELS courses and/or ELS Bukit Bintang centre, please send us an email: info@els.edu.my or find it in this website.

ELS Graduation Day, Iranian style!

One of ELS’ most endearing traditions is the end-of-session graduation ceremony, an event during which successful students in levels 103, 106 and 109 – the celebrated exit levels – receive certificates of proficiency attainment. The organization and hosting of the event is the responsibility of a trio of instructors who also try to work in a theme of some sort or the other to add colour to the occasion. For the March graduation, Instructors Jagjeet and Maryam decided to base the graduation day activities on the Iranian New Year (also known as Nowruz, it falls on March, 20th). Accordingly, the Center’s Iranian students were invited to introduce their country and culture to fellow students from other parts of the world.

The presentation kicked off with a moving rendition of the Iranian national anthem followed by a video clip that took the audience on a virtual tour of the country. Later, a brief run-down of the customs and traditions associated with the Iranian New Year festival was given and Iranian music and dance were performed. One highlight was a demonstration by some of the presenters of the Haftsin* table, a key element in the celebration of Nowruz.

Apart from the Iranian students’ presentation, the Level 109 students hosted a game which involved the instructors and students in a fun and friendly music recognition activity. Thereafter, the certificates were awarded and just about all of the recipients took the opportunity to reflect on their achievement with their instructors and take a moment to contemplate the future in their new world of English language learning!

*Haft Sīn (the seven ‘S’s) is a major tradition of Nowruz. The haft sin table includes seven specific items starting with the letter ‘S’ or Sīn in Persian alphabet. The items symbolically correspond to seven creations and holy immortals protecting them. The Haft Sin has evolved over time, but has kept its symbolism.

ELS KL visits Kuala Selangor

The ELS, KL trip to Kuala Selangor on the 19th of April was memorable as the participants were privileged to witness a few of Malaysia’s unique wonders and enjoy each other’s company during a modest dinner of seafood.

After departing Kuala Lumpur at 4 pm., 10 faculty members and 73 students proceeded to Melawati Hill for a brief visit to one of the historical landmarks in Selangor. Kota Melawati is a fort built during the reign of Sultan Ibriham (1770-1826) and is the site of a great event in Malaysian history, the brief Dutch colonization of Malaysia. A brief tram ride up the hill brought us to the fort’s ramparts which were infested with monkeys begging for food. Everyone enjoyed feeding the monkeys which either begged for or stole any food they could grab.

Another brief bus ride brought us to the Firefly Park Resort where we enjoyed a seafood dinner while waiting for darkness. The scheduled boat ride soon followed. Excitement mounted, the main event of the evening was approaching. The multinational group was looking forward to a spectacle of fireflies. The beautiful night scenery caught them off guard. About 2 meters from the boats was the illusion of wondrous Christmas trees. True to their name, hundreds, perhaps thousands of fireflies swarmed the trees emanating a surreal glow of flashing lights. Together, they brightened up the temperate night air. The symphonic harmony of the fireflies was truly one of a kind. We had never seen anything like it before.

The participants returned to Kuala Lumpur with plenty to talk about. There was even an unconfirmed rumor of a crocodile sighting.

ELS KL at the Night Zoo

Even though the Saturday evening on which ELS KL students went to Zoo Negara was filled with a constant downpour, 38 students and several staff braved the adventure. Student expectations were high and weren’t going to be turned off with a bit of rain. On March 22, 2008, at 5:00 pm, students set off on a voyage to an oasis within a concrete jungle.

This night outing was a great way to experience first-hand some of the indigenous animal species that Malaysia has to offer. Students enjoyed walking through the zoo taking in the tigers, rhinos, storks, turtles and leopards. The lions, giraffes and elephants were also, of course, big hits.

Due to the fact that it was a dark and damp evening, the brightly lit aquarium and reptile house afforded a nice break from the ‘trek’ through the wild. The large pythons that the zoo has are definitely eye-catching. As for the spiders that were kept in their enclosures, most agreed that as long as they stayed on their side of the glass, they were fine too.

The time went by quickly for the visitors. To finish off the visit, zoo staff had a snake that visitors could stroke and hold to find out what one felt like. Although many students and youngsters took advantage of the opportunity, there were definitely some that remained squeamish.

To end off the evening, at 9:00 we headed to McDonald’s. As most of the students had walked in the ‘jungle’ of Malaysia, large amounts of food was a great way to complete the trip. Students definitely enjoyed the visit to Zoo Negara at night!

ELS vs Han Chiang Soccer Game

On 31st January, ELS Penang took on neighboring Han Chiang College in an exciting game of soccer. The match started late at around 6:50in the evening. The ELS team, dressed in orange, were an international phenomenon. Players came from many countries, including Malaysia, Japan, China, Thailand, Libya, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. The local Han Chiang College team looked a little more organized in their white jerseys as they warmed up for the match. Nevertheless, what ELS lacked in discipline, they more than made up for in spirit.

The first half of the match was slightly uneventful. ELS goalkeeper, Ashraf Farag from Libya made some excellent saves, while Libyan striker Muatazz A. Bashir, made some spirited attacks on the opposition’s goal (despite being the oldest player on the pitch!). However, it was not until the second half (following a spirited team talk from captain Muatazz and manager Teacher Lutfur) that the ELS assault really took off.

With enormous energy, Thailand’s Abdulmalik Tahea ran up the field and blasted the ball into the Han Chiang net, scoring a great goal for ELS. The joy following the goal was lessened, however, as three ELS players, including Abdulmalik, were injured. Furthermore, as time wore on, it began to get dark. As light failed, Han Chiang managed to knock a couple of balls into the ELS net. Soon play became impossible in the darkness, and ELS sportingly conceded a Han Chiang win.

Despite the injuries and disappointing loss, everyone was in great spirits after the match. The game had been a wonderful example of international cooperation and ELS can feel proud of their players and their sporting efforts on that day.

Lion Dance

On 18th February, as Chinese New Year continued, ELS Penang enjoyed the local festivities with a colorful lion dance. The skillful dance was performed by students from neighboring Han Chiang high school. The young troop from the high school students drummed loudly, as two golden lions danced from room to room, blessing the inside of the building, following Chinese tradition. Following this excitement, ELS students got to enjoy the sight of the lions ‘eating’ lucky mandarin oranges, and spelling ‘Happy New Year’ and ‘Gong Xi Fa Cai’ with the leftovers. It was a fascinating cultural experience that everyone, from all countries, could appreciate.

Want to watch a Lion Dance at ELS? Click here to visit our blog!

From Korea, with Love

English, once taught by western tourist to Asian countries has now become central to the pursuit of knowledge by many people from Asia due to increased globalization.

In fact, the study of English language is so popular that many East Asian countries are actively sending students out to study the language and Malaysia is one such destination for such students.

Now it’s not uncommon to find non-western teachers teaching English and the term native speaker is almost redundant as the fluency of English teachers in Asian countries are starting to match that of traditional English speaking countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the U.S.A. and the U.K.

In December 2007, a batch of 24 students from Kumoh National Institute of Technology, Gyeongbuk, Korea came to Malaysia to study at ELS Language Centre, Kuala Lumpur. They attended the January intake from the 2nd till the 25th Jan.

This was part of the Edu-Tourism Learning Programme promoted by Malaysia Tourism Board. This programme was a great success. Their mentor, Oh Hyeong Kwon, Ph.D, Associate Professor Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Kumoh National Institute of Technology expressed his gratitude towards ELS for giving his students the confidence to speak English and the unique experience to learn English with different nationalities.

Some of these 24 students came with very little knowledge of English. After doing a placement test, they were put in their appropriate levels. Completing an intensive month of learning English, most of them were able to converse in English confidently. Below is some of the feedback given by them during their graduation ceremony in front of the students at ELS Language Centre, Kuala Lumpur.

“I had a wonderful time learning English in ELS and met many foreign students. I also saw many of the beautiful sites of Malaysia. I’m satisfied because I’ve gained various experiences and will return back home with some beautiful memories,” said Sim Hye Rim.

“I was afraid of speaking English to foreigners. ELS has given me the confidence. I will miss ELS and Malaysia,” said Ryu Sun Woong.

ELS English Language Centres conduct numerous courses ranging from full-time to part time such as Certified Intensive English Programme (CIEP), Communicative English Programme (CEP), English for Academic Purposes (EAP), Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), and many more.

The Intensive English Programme is ideal for university-bound students, professionals with a limited time for study and serious students who want to learn English quickly. Many universities and colleges worldwide accept the CIEP certificate in place of TOEFL/IELTS for entry requirements. The full-time course is structured to accelerate learning with maximum time spent in ELS. 30 hours of intensive English classes a week enables you to reach your academic and career goals in the shortest time possible. Listening, Structure, Speaking, Reading and Writing are the main skills taught.

- Jagjeet Kaur, ELS KL

For more information about the courses, do drop in at your nearest branch or call us at 03-21665530.

Beijing Municipal UNESCO Clubs Association visits ELS KL

In the effort of promoting Malaysia as a centre of education excellence in the Asian region, Embassy of Malaysia in Beijing together with the Beijing Municipal UNESCO Clubs Association organized a group of 38 students from Hebei to visit Malaysia. Hebei Province, which is located north of the Yellow River and to the east of the Taihang Mountains, is home to more than 50 ethnic groups such as Han Hui and Manche.

The objective of this visit is for them to realize that Malaysia is proud to be the choice as a study destination that offers quality international education at affordable cost. Besides the affordable education cost, Malaysia is an ideal gateway to develop his or her Asia-Pacific network and relationships as well as to learn from Malaysia’s great diversity, rapid economic development and people living in peace and harmony.

ELS Language Centres, Malaysia and Mayflower Sdn Bhd played hosts to this group of Senior Middle II students and teachers. From January 23rd to the 25th, this group of students experienced English learning at ELS Language Centres, Kuala Lumpur. They were really bright and sporting students with lots of enthusiasm to learn.

They attended the Certified Intensive English Programme which is comprised of: Structure and Speaking Practice, Reading and Writing, Skills Enhancement and multimedia lessons in the Language Technology Centre for 2 days.

This intensive English programme is ideal for university-bound students, professionals with a limited time of study and serious students who want to learn English quickly. Its certificate is accepted by many universities and colleges worldwide in place of TOEFL/IELTS for entry requirements.

This full-time course is structured to accelerate learning with maximum time spent in ELS. For 30 hours of intensive English classes a week, it enables you to reach your academic and career goals in the shortest time possible.

At the end of the 2-day Certified Intensive English Programme, they fell in love with English. From comments such as ‘Learning English is fun’ and ‘ELS has experienced and friendly teachers’, it’s easy to see that the students enjoyed the English learning experience with ELS.

In the graduation ceremony that we organized for them, some of the students expressed, ‘Malaysia is a beautiful and modern country, Studying in Malaysia is so different, Malaysians are so unique.’ Such visits from International students will only help to promote Malaysia as a world leader of English education in particular, and higher educational opportunities in general.

- James Marcynuik, ELS KL

Lion Dance Celebration at ELS Subang Jaya

Subang Jaya - With great anticipation for the arrival of the fantastic Chinese New Year icon – The Lion, hundreds of anxious eyes scanned the road for its appearance. The sound of beating drums resonated throughout the building. Our hearts beat rhythmatically to the pounding of the drums.

It was a colourful fiesta. Students started following the alluring lions and the loving laughing Buddha into the reception area of our centre. Excited students watched the performance, lights from cameras were flashing all throughout the room taking the memorable event. Step by step, our students tried to go with the flow, feeling the beat and heat. All of us were really amazed at how the lion dance was choreographed. It’s such a wonderful art.

People started coming to our centre and joined the crowd. What an amazing attraction! Even though we saw the performance so many times, it will still drag us to gaze at it again and again. That’s what we call the MAGIC of the Malaysian culture.

To fill our appetites for the day, we were served healthy and green themed foods. Although it sounds flavorless, still we love and were pleased about it. Each student were given mandarin oranges and traditional food like pineapple and yam cookies. The sweetness from the cookies made the evening more enjoyable.

As we were enjoying our delightful feast, there was an unexpected announcement from the building management and really made us terrified. Everyone in the building were asked to evacuate because there was a tremor. The fire brigade came and did an inspection of the building and made sure the situation was in control.

It was the end of our cheerful and stunned day. Thank God all of us were safe.

Want to watch a Lion Dance at ELS? Click here to visit our blog!

ELS PJ offers intensive 15-hour TOEFL/IELTS Workshop

ELS Petaling Jaya will be starting a TOEFL/IELTS Test Preparation Workshop starting 22 February 2008 (Friday). We encourage students who wish to sit for the TOEFL/IELTS test to enroll for the course as it will help prepare you to score better in the test.

• 22 February 2008
• 29 February 2008
• 07 March 2008
• 14 March 2008
• 21 March 2008

Fee Structure - TOEFL Test Preparation Workshop
Tuition Fee: RM 400
Books/Material: RM 200
Total: RM 600

Fee Structure - IELTS Test Preparation Workshop
Tuition Fee: RM 400
Books/Material: RM 100
Total: RM 500

Chu’sok Celebrations With HELP University College Students

ELS International students accepted an invitation from HELP University College to celebrate the Korean Thanksgiving Chu’sok festival together on 4 Oct 07. About forty students, from ELS Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya, accompanied by student advisors, Ms Melissa, Ms Virginia and the Director of Student Affairs, Mrs.Jeya, went over to the newly opened HELP RESIDENCE builing where the celebrations took place.

Playing host, the HELP University staff and students went all out to make the evening a memorable one for their guests. Sweet memories of home came back to many a Korean student, listening to the master of ceremonies speaking in their mother tongue. All the visitors were presented with door gifts and tokens of appreciation.

The photo taking session was interesting. The hosts readily clicked their cameras and later came up with several souvenir snap shots that were presented to their ELS counterparts as parting gifts. Warmth and comradeship prevailed that afternoon as students from both institutions intermingled and enjoyed themselves.

Korean music graced the occasion as students got to know each other. It was interesting to watch the fun-filled traditional Korean games that were played by students from both the educational institutions. Participants of the ever-green ‘Musical chairs’ game were heard laughing and joyfully screaming in excitement throughout the game. The winners were happy to receive their prizes.

Next in the agenda was dinner. Sumptuous Korean dishes including the special item for Chu’sok, namely, ‘songpyun’(rice cake) were served. Everyone really enjoyed the meal as well as the friendliness shown by the hosts.

Speeches, both in English and in the Korean language were given by representatives from both institutions. After collecting their photographs that had been taken earlier, the ELS visitors adjourned to their bus.

‘Thank you’ to the organizing committee of HELP University for inviting us at ELS Language Centres to this joint Chu’sok celebrations!

Saudi Arabian National Day Celebrations

The morning of Friday, 13 September 2007 saw the ELS Petaling Jaya centre being decorated enthusiastically with bright green banners and buntings. Several International students from Saudi Arabia were proudly wearing their national costume. Each teacher and staff entering the premise was given a green or white garland to wear and the students also distributed pin-up tags displaying the words, ‘national day of Saudi Arabia’. It was indeed a happy occasion for the students and staff who posed for group photographs with their Saudi Arabian friends who were celebrating their national day away from home.

Before classes commenced, Saudi Arabian music could be heard in the background in the front-desk area. During lunch break and before going for their Friday prayers, the Saudi Arabian students could be seen exchanging greetings with each other. The effort put in by several ELS PJ Saudi Arabian students to liaise with their embassy in Kuala Lumpur to sponsor their national day celebrations, with their foreign friends in the centre, was indeed commendable.

Some students had put in special effort to collect Arabian books of common interest and had put these together as a mini exhibition in one of the classrooms.

It was a joyful scenario at the LTC from 3.30 p.m. onwards. Everyone had gathered there to join their Saudi Arabian friends in their celebration. The organising committee had put in a lot of effort to make the occasion a success. There was a welcoming speech from one of the students. Saudi Arabian tea was served to the guests in traditional little cups. Dates and perfume from Saudi Arabia were also seen to be served to those present.

It was indeed interesting to watch the documentary film presentations which gave the audience an ‘eye-opening’ insight into life in Saudi Arabia. To know how educated women juggle their many roles in their everyday life in Saudi Arabia was indeed interesting. It was great to see the modern cities and how people live there.

The guest of honour for the day was Ms Cynthia Teoh. She gave a short but sweet message to the students before giving out souvenirs of appreciation to the organisers.

It was then a time for happy celebrations with plenty of Saudi Arabian food for everyone to enjoy. A spirit of warm friendship and merriment prevailed throughout the day at ELS PJ on that day!

The Pleasures of Putrajaya

Although it was a grey Saturday morning on 4th August, 2007 and most people were still huddled under their warm blankets at home, the thirty five students of ELS Subang Jaya along with programme coordinator Haryati How as well as assistant student advisor Noel Harris were already gathered at ELS Subang Jaya by 8.00 am. All were ready to embark on an experiential journey to one of the most important places in Malaysia, Putrajaya – the hub of the Malaysian government. After the bus arrived, the journey to Putrajaya started around 9.15 a.m. The students were all very thrilled as this was their first time going on a school trip. Along the way some of them took pictures and sang.

Once the bus reached Putrajaya, the coordinators started pointing out a few of the landmarks of Putrajaya. The students were awed when they saw the magnificently built Perdana Putra Complex that houses the Prime Minister’s office. Again they were impressed when they were pointed to the Seri Wawasan and Seri Perdana colossal bridges; they were also told that there are eleven bridges in Putrajaya. As the bus passed the bridges, students started taking pictures of these architectural marvels as mementos.

The group reached the Botanical Garden, at 10 a.m. After a briefing, coordinators and students took group pictures at the entrance of the garden before moving on to explore the other wonders that this place has to offer. There were hundreds of different species of plants and flowers to look at. As some walked whilst others cycled around, all eyes were glued on the colourful flowers and rare trees planted artistically around the garden. The visit around this Botanical Garden has given the students ample opportunity to learn more about and enjoy the flora and fauna in Malaysia. This is also the place where one can make use of one’s photography skills to the heart’s content.

By noon, the sun was very hot and no one was in the mood to venture under its scorching heat anymore. Therefore, the team regrouped at the main entrance of the Botanical Garden to go to the next destination. After the long walks and bicycle rides in the garden, everybody was ready to chow down! So the next stop took the group to the Alamanda shopping mall where everyone had a sumptuous meal from the variety of food stalls in the Rasa food court. Since the weather was not very gracious, the team decided to spend time playing bowling in Alamanda. All the exhaustion during the Botanical Garden visit had been paid off with chilled sodas and some snacks from McDonald’s. Some students even took the opportunity to go shopping! As the weather grew cooler, it was time to make a move to the last destination, the renowned floating Putra Mosque.

Reaching the Putra Mosque at 2.45 p.m., students were presented with the most magnificent view of the floating Putra mosque on the idyllic lake. This caused some of them to scramble down from the bus for a better view and photo session. Later, everyone gathered by the riverbank to visually feast on this breathtaking view. A couple of students even dared the lessening heat to go on the gondola rides along the lakeside. Even though the ride was slightly costly, students claimed that it was worthwhile because the scenery from the boat was breathtaking.

After everyone had had their fill with the gondola rides and photo session, it was time to push off for home. The bus took the group on a ride through Precinct 1 and 2 to view the government buildings and bridges. Though tired and sleepy by the time the bus reached Subang Jaya at around 1 a.m., the students were in high spirits. They left for home with wonderful experiences and pictures they gained from this memorable trip.

ELS Subang Jaya’s Trip to The Malaysian Tourism Centre

Subang Jaya - In conjunction with “Visit Malaysia Year 2007”, a full busload of students from ELS Subang Jaya went to the Malaysian Tourism Centre in KL, on 7th August, for a true cultural experience.

A large number of international and local students took part in the excursion travelling by chartered bus to the city centre. Once there, students spent time looking around the beautiful grounds and complex of the Tourism Centre, admiring the skills of one of the batik artists as she demonstrated her craft, and wandering through the displays depicting Malaysian history and culture.

A representative from the Malaysian Tourism Centre gave the students an introductory talk and a PowerPoint presentation to explain the history of the Centre. The students were also given a chance to ask questions during the briefing.

Following the talk was the highlight of the afternoon: a video cameo of Malaysia in all its beauty with emphasis on special places to see and visit. Then came a spectacle of music and dance: a professional cultural presentation representing the traditional dances and costumes of the various Malaysian states. The harmony between the different races and cultures were highlighted in a whirlwind of colours and movements. The students, most of whom are from foreign countries, were enthralled by the many dance scenes. They even had ‘kodak’ moments, taking pictures of the beautifully dressed dancers and the array of performances shown on the stage.

Most students took advantage of the bus trip back to Subang Jaya to sleep or muse over the afternoon. It had certainly been an opportunity to experience and open their eyes to Malaysia – the place to be!

Some comments from students …

“From watching the show we understand that Malaysia is a multicultural country. People from different races can live in unity.”

“The dance was very good. I enjoyed it very much. Everything was great!”

“The dance was fantastic because they made the dance like one movement - the dancing was continuous. The girls and boys’ movements were different; different from my culture.”

“It was very interesting because it was the first time I had seen a Malay dance.”

“I know more about the Malaysian culture because we saw the dance and somebody explained about every dance.”

A Day of Fun And Excitement For ELS Students

Several students from all the three ELS centres in the Klang Valley signed up to go to the paintball game centre in Subang Jaya on the morning of 21 July 07. Accompanied by Mr. Safarol from ELS KL and Mr. Noel from ELS SJ, the group enjoyed themselves partaking in the game that tested their aiming skill and alertness in predicting their opponents’ next move.

The day started with our students first watching another group playing the game. They also got to observe the use of basic strategies to win. They were then asked to group themselves in the event control tent, where a safety briefing was given. This briefing, conducted by a group of seasoned and experienced paintball competitors and safety marshalls, emphasised on the safety aspect of the game and the safe usage of the mechanical paintball markers. Five teams participated, and each team was supplied with safety overalls or jumpsuits, body armour and safety facemasks.

The marshalls assissted the students to get attired properly for the game. The markers were then distributed with loaded pellets and the first two teams were then guided to the field. The marshalls then instructed for the barrel socks to be removed; test shots were fired and when the whistle was blown, it was game on. Not only were the participating students highly excited; but the spectators were, too.

The second group then went down to have their share of fun. Unfortunately, one of the participants fired the marker without permission; although it was not dangerous, the marshalls instructed the student to have a “sit-out” for a few minutes while the usual safety instructions were repeated. This student was later allowed to rejoin the others in the game.

This outing also gave an opportunity for ELS students from the three centres to interact with each other. After a tiring morning, the group enjoyed nasi lemak, buns and refreshments. It was an enjoyable time for everyone as they posed for photographs before calling it a day.

Inaugural orientation for ELS’ Communicative English Programme (CEP)

Subang Jaya – It was a full house on 3rd July, 2007 when all the Communicative English Programme (CEP) students and their teachers gathered for the inaugural orientation session at 7.30 p.m. The session was conducted by Programme Coordinator Haryati How and aimed at disseminating information to our adult students pertaining to school policies, various procedures and the academic system.

The orientation session also provided a platform to create a sense of belonging for all the students as they got to make new friends and break the ice with academic and management staff. Therefore during the session, the students were involved in a brief but communicative ‘get-to-know you’ session. This activity not only encouraged them to use the language but also gave them insights into our student-centred teaching methodologies. Thus, there was a lot of laughter as a Q&A session was also conducted as students were asked to interview fellow classmates around them. Though they were given a time limit with only three simple questions to ask, most of them came up with more questions for their new friends, which embodies the inquisitive mindset we instill during actual CEP classes. At the end of the activity, some of the students were requested to share the information they have gathered about their new friends. As one by one the students demonstrated their language proficiency, more seemed eager to participate. By the end of the session, everyone left with more confidence and bigger smiles. Due to the success of this session, similar ones will be conducted for every subsequent CEP intake.

The Communicative English Programme, or more fondly known as CEP, focuses on facilitating participants to function more professionally at work. It also trains students to use the language more effectively in everyday situations. The course emphasises students’ knowledge of the forms and functions of the language in a communicative environment. To make maximum progress, students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning by actively participating in simulated learner-centred activities facilitated by trained and professional instructors.

Students’ Outing to Selangor Pewter and Batu Caves

It was Saturday – 21 July 2007. 42 students from ELS PJ joined their Student Advisor Virginia Chin and MML teacher Nalini on a trip to the above two places.

The group arrived at Selangor Pewter at about 9.50 a.m. and were warmly welcomed by the staff there. The visitors were shown the largest pewter mug which has been recorded in The Guiness Book of Records. Taking photographs in front of this beautiful masterpiece was a memorable experience.

During the guided tour, the history of Selangor Pewter was explained. The three main stages in the process of making pewter articles was explained. The students found it fun to try out the costumes worn by the tin-miners of 1885, and to take photographs in these attires in front of the tin-dredge murals.

The visitors were allowed to have some hands-on experience in engraving on pewter. Next they were taken to the pewter museum where the beautiful pieces of completed pewter articles were on exhibition. The guests were invited to purchase any of the items they were interested in. It was mentioned that some of these articles for sale were not available in any of the other outlets.

Around 11 a.m. the bus departed for Batu Caves. For most of the International students, this was their first visit to this tourist attraction in Malaysia. Climbing up the 272 steps was easy for the majority of the youngsters. Although some monkeys tried to snatch some of their bags, it did not dampen their enthusiasm to reach the top. A few adventurous students ventured a little further up the hill to see the Hindu temple in the cave. The sight of the sun’s rays falling on the stalactites and stalagmites was a beautiful sight to behold.

Most of the participants enjoyed the chilled juice of young coconuts, sold at the foot of Batu Caves. After having a sumptuous lunch the group returned happily, but tired, to ELS PJ.

Learning Beyond the Walls of the Classroom

Variety is the spice of life. Learning becomes fun and what is learnt is remembered for a long time if it is something different from the norm. With this in mind, the Student Advisors in ELS Centres in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya worked closely with the teachers to organise several trips to the Malaysian Tourism Centre (MTC) in Jalan Ampang. Students were required to complete assignments related to their experiences at MTC. The Student Advisors and teachers accompanied the students during these educational trips.

On arrival, the ELS visitors were met by MTC staff. A very informative briefing pertaining to the history of MTC and its role in encouraging tourism followed. The main attraction was the cultural dance performance in the mini auditorium. This performance is staged almost every afternoon for tourists to enjoy. Within a short time period of about an hour, the audience got a rare opportunity to witness and enjoy various dances from the different states in Malaysia.

Entitled “The Colours of Malaysia”, the guests were lavishly entertained to lively music and fast-moving dance performances. The rich, colourful brocade costumes worn by the dancers are something that will remain in memory for a long time! The dance from Perak was followed by the joget from Malacca. Next was an indigenous dance performance from the East Malaysian state of Sabah. It was interesting to watch Tarian Buyong – an Indian folk dance performed by non-Indian dancers! The soothing music of the Chinese Fan Dance with the bright red costumes of the dancers was a welcome change. One cannot forget the Iban-Bidayu performance from the land of the hornbills- Sarawak. Two variations of the 17th century Zapin dance were staged from Johor followed by Dikir Bertingkar from Kelantan. The grand finale of the evening was the song, “Come to Malaysia”.

It was a beautiful experience for everyone present to be given an opportunity to take photographs with the artistes. A lot of joy and warm Malaysian hospitality was experienced as the cameras kept on clicking. A short tour of MTC followed. The students even had the opportunity to try their skills in batik painting! Everyone enjoyed taking more photographs around the beautifully landscaped surroundings before departure.

ELS Playing a Part in the Community

RM70 000 worth of scholarships were awarded to local students for 2007

Subang Jaya: In a simple yet meaningful ceremony on Saturday, 16th June, 2007, the ELS – Rotary Club USJ English Literacy Scholarship Programme was launched by the M.P for Kelana Jaya, Y.B Loh Seng Kok.

The event which was jointly organised by the Rotary Club USJ and ELS International Language Centres Subang Jaya was held in ELS Subang Jaya with about 100 invited guests.

The guests were several distinguished VIPs, Rotary Club members, parents and students under the scholarship programme. Among the VIPs were the M.P of Kelana Jaya, Y.B Loh Seng Kok, ELS Chairman of the Board of Governors, Yg. Bhg Puan Sri Datin Aisha bt. Hj. Shamsuddin, the CEO of ELS Mdm. Chee Yin Fair, Rotary Club USJ president, Mr. Looi Kok Kheong, past Rotary Club president, Mr. Jimmy Lim, International Director, Mr. Alex Ow, ELS Subang Jaya Programme Coordinator, Ms. Haryati How and ELS Subang Jaya Centre Manager, Ms. Julinder Chal.

The event started off with speeches from the guests of honour to commemorate the auspicious event. This was followed by the presentation of souvenirs from ELS to Rotary Club USJ before moving on to a photo session. The event was marked with the awarding of scholarship scrolls to students from ATMAH institution, S.R.K (T) Seafield and S.R.K (C) Chee Wen.

The English Literacy Scholarship Programme is a collaboration between ELS International Language Centres; the scholarship provider and Rotary Club; who identifies the students entitled for the scholarship.

The idea of the scholarship is to support the need for English language proficiency among our local students, especially those from low-income families. Through this programme, almost 100 students from chosen charity homes and low income families were awarded RM1000 worth of scholarships each in 2006. Subsequently, approximately 50 students from low-income families were given RM1400 worth of scholarships each this year. Within the span of two years, ELS has awarded scholarships valued RM170 000 to approximately 150 students in need. The scholarship awarded is for the School Enrichment Programme (SEP), which is one out of numerous other programmes offered by ELS Subang Jaya.

This programme which commenced early this year is designed to cater to the improvement of English proficiency among our primary and secondary school students. Therefore, aside from the scholarship students, there are also independent students from schools around the Klang Valley.

Through this programme, the students are able to learn English more effectively under the guidance of TESL/TESOL trained teachers. In addition, the communicative and engaging classroom environment, caring instructors also play a very important part in developing the students’ confidence and language skills. So far the programme has received encouraging feedback from parents and students.

Summer Holiday English Programme Welcoming Session July 2007

What do you think of when you think of summer? Most people would think of the beach and the sun. However, for some foreigners, Malaysia; a warm and friendly place where basking under the sun is not the only option of spending quality time with their family, is the place they think of. This is because to them, Malaysia isn’t just another beautiful and exciting tourist spot but also a place where they can learn English conveniently as well. Additionally, it’s not just any place that they come to in order to learn English, they come to ELS International Language Centres where English is taught to the world!

Therefore, to celebrate the arrival of summer, ELS has enrolled approximately 50 students who have registered as Summer Holiday English Programme (SHEP) students for the July 2007 and August 2007 sessions. These students who are mainly from Taiwan and Saudi Arabia are here to undergo our English language course for at least 2 months. Consequently, all of them are placed in various levels based on their proficiency. As for the younger students aged 9 - 12, a special class that is the Young Learners’ English (YLE) is provided for them. In this class they not only learn English but also arts and crafts as well as other fun activities run by experienced teachers.

In addition, for this programme, the ELS management and teachers have recently threw a welcoming session for the students. The aim of the session was to encourage the students to make new friends and to feel more at home. During the engaging session, all of the students who turned up were treated to a session of songs, games, token presentation, refreshments and photo sessions. Each student was presented with an ELS goodie bag. In each bag, the students received assorted stationery items, Just English (Explorer) magazines and ELS t-shirts. It was such a reward to see the look of joy and appreciation on their happy faces after receiving the tokens from ELS.

Not only that, students who participated in the games planned by the teachers were also presented with gifts when they won the games. It was fun and laughter everywhere as everyone tried to get a place to sit during the musical chair session. Throughout the whole session, the latest songs were played for their entertainment and later they were treated to light refreshments of assorted local fruits, cakes and iced drinks.

As closure, the students were treated to a photo session whereby the photos would be e-mailed to them upon request. This service is provided for them at no cost at all. The purpose is so they can have something to show their family back home. It also serves as something to remember ELS by once they leave the centre when summer ends.

Overall, everyone had fun and made new friends during the welcoming session. Thanks to the dedicated teachers and ELS management staff, the session not only brought the students closer, it also showed them the meaning of Malaysian hospitality and how it feels to be a guest in this friendly and colourful country.

Educational Trip to Aquaria Kuala Lumpur

The Summer Holidays students of ELS centres in the Klang Valley participated in the above trip on 7 July 2007. Students were seen to be enjoying themselves even on the way to the aquaria -there was laughter, singing, playing their own Arabian drum and plenty of photo-taking. At the food court they got to enjoy delicious Malaysian cuisine.

During the first part of the trip the students were allowed to touch and feel some of the live creatures in the aquaria. One of the students even tried to lift up a mangrove shark. The turtles in the conservatory attracted many of the students.

The next stop-over was the jungle area where the students were captivated by the variety of species seen there. Amongst the favourites was a giant frog, about 1 foot long. The beetles, spiders and snakes also amazed them. At the freshwater mangrove area, the sight of the pacupiranhas and the arapaimas held them spell-bound.

Giant catfish and fresh water snakes were also found in this fresh water exhibition area. The students were happy clicking away their cameras to record all the new animals that they had seen on that day. It was fun feeding the dogfishes, mangrove sharks, puffers and turtles with the squids that the students had bought. There was much excitement when some fish as long as 4 feet came close and jumped to get the squid out of their gloved hands. Live skunks and raccoons were on open display further down. The students took this opportunity to have their photographs taken for a small fee. The underwater world is the highlight of the Aquaria. Sea creatures such as the manta ray, nurse sharks and many other types of big fishes were seen swimming freely in the purpose built huge aquariums. The jellyfish and coral sections too were fascinating. Before leaving the Aquaria, students spent some enjoyable time, choosing souvenirs for family and friends.

All in all, it was a very enjoyable outing and the students said that they found it really informative. Yet another day well spent!

300 Attend MUET Workshop

Some 300 local and overseas students attended a MUET (Malaysian University English Test) workshop conducted by ELS Language Centres recently. Professor Koh Soo Ling of Universiti Teknologi Mara gave the students tips on how to do well at the MUET exam.

Meanwhile, at another event, Just English Sdn Bhd conducted a 3D workshop for “Science, Mathematics and English” for 37 teachers from the Kinta District who attended the programme at ELS Language Centres.

The teachers shared practical and innovative methods of teaching using the English language as well as online support programmes created specially by the college.

The participants were shown various techniques in conducting reading classes using Just English Magazine and Explorer, and how to access online lesson plans and guides specially created for its subscribers.

Article by Diana Yeoh - the New Strait Times

ELS Edu-Tourism Programme

Thursday, 24th May 2007, is a day that would be remembered for a long time by staff and students of English Language Centres, Malaysia. On that day, The Hon. Deputy Minister of Tourism, Datuk Donald Lim launched the ELS Edu-Tourism Programme at the Malaysian Tourist Centre (MTC) at Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur. More than 100 students and staff of ELS Kuala Lumpur together with Chief Executive Officer of ELS, Ms Chee Yin Fair attended the function.

In his speech, Datuk Donald mentioned that ELS has been one of the pioneer English Language Centres in Malaysia. It has contributed abundantly to the teaching of English to foreign students who came to this country in order to improve their proficiency in the language. Through the ELS Edu-Tourism programme, especially the ELS Student Blog, ELS students would be able to communicate and share information about places and situations in Malaysia that are of interest to people back home as well as with others all over the world.

The launching of this programme was appropriately entitled

Empowering English, Experiencing Malaysia.

Our country Malaysia, is a country of cultural diversity. It offers many new and interesting experiences to people who come here – both as students and as tourists.

Plenty of warmth and happiness was experienced by those present as people from several different coutries were seen to intermingle freely. ELS students from Kuala Lumpur Centre who had successfully completed their studies, received their certificates from the Honourable Deputy Minister of Tourism.

ELS PJ Visits KL Tower

At ELS Language Centres, Malaysia, classroom instruction is not the only way of learning and promoting the use of English among our students. Students are given a taste of real life experiences and Visit Malaysia Year 2007 has an added significance for ELS Language Centres. ELS Language Centres, Malaysia has been in the forefront of teaching English to locals and foreigners for over 16 years, making it the most attractive stop-over not only for language learners but for tourists who want to make the best use of their time when they are in Malaysia.

A stop-over at any of our six centres is a must for many of these discerning tourists, who in one way or another have come to know and acknowledge our reputation for being the leader in providing quality English Language instruction to suit the needs of a variety of people from all over the globe.

Students from ELS, P.J recently visited the K.L. Tower. On Saturday, 21 April 2007, some of our students, mostly international, had an awesome experience viewing K.L. city from the observation deck of the K.L. Tower. Other highlights of the K.L. tower visit included a private documentary session hosting the attractions of K.L. city, cultural performances and a traditional music presentation on arrival at the main entrance. An audio MP4 presentation had the students practically lapping up information on the history of each floor and its architecture, all in their own language - a privilege only to be enjoyed by foreign visitors to the Tower. The objective of promoting Malaysia in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2007 and getting students to use the English Language was sufficiently realised as the students had a lot of questions to ask and they had their curiosity quenched by what they saw and witnessed.

Besides, exposing our students to the wonders of Malaysia, ELS also organises college talks in line with making Malaysia the educational hub of the region. Students are given the opportunity to participate in college visits and listen to representatives from different colleges so that they can make the right choice of courses, and the university or college to pursue further studies on completion of their English Language study at ELS.
The monthly Graduation Ceremony is another feature that is distinct to ELS Language Centres. Students look forward to this day when they can let down their hair and give expression to the unique experience they have had learning English at ELS. It is also an opportunity for them to showcase their culture and share with their friends from all over the globe something interesting about the countries they come from. All in all, ELS is an experience in itself!

ELS KL Skybridge Tour

Kuala Lumpur – March 22, 2007 – In a bid to expose international students to Malaysia’s unique heritage, ELS Language Centres Kuala Lumpur organised an excursion to KLCC Skybridge last month. On the 22nd, twenty-three students gathered at ELS Kuala Lumpur and made their way to KLCC and its renowned Skybridge for an afternoon of awe, education and fun, all rolled up in one.

The friendly staff of KLCC not only took the students around the exhibition hall but also conducted a lively session complete with games and interactive activities. According to one of the students, Mohamad A Tahir, “It was a truly rewarding and eye-opening experience because we learned that the Skybridge also acts as a safety device that allows tenants in one tower to be evacuated to the other via the Skybridge in the event of a fire or any other emergency.”

After the exhibition show, the students were invited to view the multimedia 3-D show on the planning, designing and construction of KLCC.

Once the presentation was over, the group took the elevator to the 41st floor of KLCC where the Skybridge is situated. Once there, they were rewarded with (mostly) fine weather and breathtaking scenery. Spirits were not dampened by the light rain that began to fall as everyone had a good view.

Experiencing Kuala Lumpur from 170 metres above ground-level in one of the world’s tallest buildings will be remembered by all the students who were there as one of the most memorable days of their stay in Malaysia.

Fear Factor at ELS KL

You may not think that a Language Centre and the popular TV series “Fear Factor” have anything in common. In fact, they both encourage people to confront and conquer their fears! And at ELS Language Centres, Kuala Lumpur, students did exactly that when they participated in a recent special competition entitled “Fear Factor: Fear of English”.

Students come to ELS from many different countries, mostly to improve their English in preparation for college or university, while others come to brush up their language skills for work. One of the most valuable things that students can gain while studying in ELS is a new-found confidence to speak in English. When a student arrives, he or she might be afraid of making mistakes or of not being able to express himself. But ELS prides itself on getting students to speak confidently. This is achieved through communicative activities, group-work, dramas and role-plays that emulate real-life situations.

To see which students had managed to master their fear of English, the Fear Factor competition was organised at the end of term. Fifteen students competed for the chance to be crowned Fear Factor Champion. To progress beyond the qualifying round, the participants were put through physical and mental challenges. The following rounds involved a scavenger hunt (which had some students running to KLCC to find things!), and an eating challenge before the final Ultimate Challenge. This was very simply a realisation of any language-learner’s greatest fear: to maintain a conversation with a native speaker!

Despite three native speaker teachers doing their best to speak fast and fluently with plenty of slang, the final three contestants proved worthy of the task. They persevered for five whole minutes, even when the teachers teasingly said things like “Sorry?”, “What did you say?” and “I don’t understand what you mean.”

The title of Fear Factor Champion was grabbed by Loy Kew Wai of Malaysia, with Eileen from Malaysia and Abdullah from Saudi Arabia finishing in second and third place respectively. The three students received prizes, but most of all they went home with a sense of confidence in their English language abilities, just like all students who invest their time and effort in studying English at ELS Language Centres Malaysia.

ELS Language Centres, Malaysia was set up in 1990 and has served more than 100,000 students from over 50 countries through its 6 centres in Malaysia, namely Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya, Johor Bahru, Penang and Ipoh. Like its parent company in the USA, ELS Language Centres, Malaysia has quickly gained recognition as a leader in providing quality English Language programmes.

Chinese New Year Celebration at ELS Petaling Jaya

From the ELS’ tagline “We Teach English to the World”, one can immediately spot that ELS is an English language centre. But what goes on at ELS, Petaling Jaya is more than just classroom learning. Here, we expose students to the cultural part of life, too.

Recently students in ELS were entertained by a Lion Dance Troupe in light of the Chinese New Year celebrations. The Lion dance is a common feature during Chinese New Year. The lion dance troupe blessed every level of the centre because it is a popular belief that the loud beats of the drum and the deafening sounds of the cymbals together with the face of the Lion dancing aggressively can expel bad or evil spirits from the place.

Many of the students especially those from the Middle Eastern region found the experience very different and exhilarating. Even students from mainland China itself found the experience to be quite different from how things are done back in their country. The students were also treated to mandarin oranges by the centre to spread prosperity and goodwill.

Well, the fun and learning doesn’t stop here. At the end of every session, a Graduation Ceremony is held for the exit level students. Students plan and perform according to varying themes every month for Graduation. This not only gives them the needed exposure but also helps them in honing their language and interpersonal skills. The decorations put up for the graduation also change according to the themes to heighten the mood and excitement of the event. Students and teachers from various cultural backgrounds work hand in hand to make every graduation special in its own way. This is yet another way ELS provides a platform for racial and cultural integration.

Besides being a melting pot of cultural fusion, ELS is also registered and certified as a TOEFL-IBT test centre and ELS, Petaling Jaya offers the test taking service for those who choose the convenience of online testing. Tests are usually run on weekends.

Those interested in enhancing their English skills but do not have the luxury of time, can attend our 2 day workshops on highly relevant topics such as Powerful Presentations, Grammar in Business Writing, Effective Business Writing and Test Taking Strategies for IELTS and TOEFL.