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december 7, 2014 NEW Sunday TIMES

pe r specti v e Learning schools

Embrace Epsom College’s
responsible
conduct of Curve firstoverseas
campus
research the supplement on sunday page 20

page 19

teaching
cauclrtuorsess

pageS 2 &3

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PAGE 2 | NEW sunday TIMES december 7, 2014

learning curve PROGRAMMES

‘Terima kasih,
Malaysia’

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING: In a tie-up with a local
education institute, a course at Queensland
University of Technology aims to increase
Australian student teachers’ knowledge and
understanding of our culture, language and
history

ZULITA MUSTAFA with the little Mathnaae“ldrayTeyhliesnneiaoatpretnanrtcraotofucirlcoltreiimp,sasatgshntuha—teesrsie.r” a basis for long-
[email protected] ones during
our visits
BUDDING Early Childhood to primary
Education teacher Zarli Myers, schools in
from Queensland University Kuala Lum-
of Technology (QUT), Australia, pur.
who was here on an exchange pro-
gramme, initially found teaching “We read
at a local primary school “nerve-
wracking”. them an QDUrSTacDFhsesaobococoulirolataftyhCeoupHfrrEeordnifecuduscselaourtrsmioonn,’s term friend-
Australian ships.
“I didn’t quite know what to book and told
expect but the children made every- them about our Karlee Helsip,
thing looked simple,” said Myers, 21. 22, a Year Four Pri-

She was among 10 student teach- culture, and the mary Education stu-
ers who participated in the Outward
Mobility Programme by QUT, co- experience will stay dent at QUT, said: “We
organised by Institut Pendidikan
Guru Kampus Ilmu Khas (IPGKIK), with me for a long time. enjoy wonderful relationships
aimed at increasing Australian stu-
dent teachers’ knowledge and under- They didn’t understand everything with student buddies. I learnt a lot Student teachers engage with pupils.
standing of the Malaysian culture,
language, history as well as their we said but still managed to inter- about their culture and religious
intercultural capabilities.
act with us. They enjoyed the book diversity. There were so many “It was an eye-opener. We arrived
“The two weeks have been a
learning curve. Learning about the even though there was a language things I didn’t know but I am more as strangers but by end of the week
culture, religions and customs of
Malaysia has inspired me to know barrier.” informed and ready to engage with we had made lots of friends. We
more.
Four primary schools in Kuala people from other cultures and reli- visited local streets with our bud-
“I enjoyed sharing knowledge
Lumpur — SK Taman Setiawangsa, gions now. dies and learnt about the culture

SK Convent Jalan Peel, SK Desa “We learnt about Malaysia being first-hand from them. I learnt to say

Pandan and SK Bandar Tun Razak a federal constitutional monarchy terima kasih, nasi goreng and nama

1 — took part in the cultural story and a parliamentary democracy. saya in Malay language classes. I’m

reading of the book. Our buddies have modelled that to beginning to like Bahasa Malaysia.”

Myers, who is in her third year us beautifully. We will try to instil The language lessons included

of studies, praised the concept of the knowledge we have gained into Malay Language Immersion Expe-

“student buddies”, a programme Australian students,” added Helsip. rience (Walk in Their Shoes)

highlight for her which will serve as At a structured lesson observa- in a session conducted

in Bahasa Malaysia

“We built on the to simulate a stu-
dent’s experi-

tion in Sekolah ycehasartn’srwgepeonrdorgkgwtrwhhaaemoltlfm.”dlaiedsant n’td ence in a class
Sukan SMK DErdDucoanPtnriooanfseeT’ssnasSiinocorhgneolaenolcl,LtoQuefraUCerTrunlFitnaugcruelatny dof where lessons
Seri Titiwan- are taught at
gsa, the stu- a level beyond
dent teachers his language
learnt a range p r o f i c i e n c y.
of effective QUT students
local profession-
al practice. practised their
Bahasa Malay-
sia at restau-
rants, markets and

“I was able to grocery stores.

Karlee Heslip Zarli Myers Rekha Doraisingam make a connection with QUT Faculty of Edu-

the students during the school cation’s School of Curriculum

visit and the teachers’ interaction associate professor Dr Deborah

with them is similar to Australia. Henderson said prior to leaving Aus-

The programme has been a life- tralia, the students took part in an

changing experience.” orientation pre-programme which

Kaitlyn Beattie, 21, who is in the covered the historical and cultural

third year of Secondary Education/ context of Malaysia today, an over-

English and History studies, was view of Australia’s relationship with

struck by the pupils’ respect for Malaysia and education in the coun-

teachers. try. The student teachers were intro-

“The generosity of the schools duced to Malaysian History and

and their welcome left an outstand- Culture to develop an understand-

ing impression. The diversity of ing of the country’s rich heritage

cultures has helped to mould these from post-1957 independence when

children as they can get along very Tunku Abdul Rahman became the

Kaitlyn Beattie Nur Ain Syafiqah Mohd Darus George Chuah well,” she said. first Prime Minister of independent

december 7, 2014 NEW Sunday TIMES | PAGE 3

learning curve PROGRAMMES

QUT student teachers enjoy a taste of Malaysian hospitality.

Malaya to current times. QUT students toured Islamic Arts a privilege to be part of this pro- Museum, I found out about the rich the programme can grow. We are in
The programme is offered to Museum Malaysia and visited street gramme. It has been an intense cul- cultures of the Islamic world rang- constant contact with IPGKIK staff
markets and Unesco World Heritage tural exchange. We learnt a lot about ing from Persia, the Middle East, to develop the course to addresses
Bachelor of Education students site of Malacca to experience history Australian culture. We share lots of China, Southeast Asia and India to our needs. It’s not a one-way pro-
enrolled in the Teaching English as and culture, and consider the impact similarities in terms of culture and the Malay archipelago. I’m looking gramme, there is genuine commit-
an Additional Language and His- of tourism, with their buddies. education. The more you get to know forward to welcome another batch ment from both institutions.
tory Curriculum Studies subjects. the Australian student teachers, the of students next year.
These two subjects were identified “The students also visited the more you learn. “Commitment adds to its rich-
as a best-fit for the short mobility Australia High Commission for a “My most memorable moments ness and authenticity. The par-
programme as they are grounded in detailed briefing on both countries “For example, we went to Malacca are of the pizza party. Even though ticipants are not tourists — they
inclusive education. Both provide a and their significant and long-stand- and we discussed colonisation, and we are from different backgrounds, interact, share and learn from their
practical component for assessment ing relations.” we shared our thoughts about it. we managed to connect and have Malaysian colleagues.”
and have a strong learning focus on fun.”
students developing intercultural Similar to Malaysia, Australia is “My experience as a buddy is Upon returning to Australia, the
competencies. concerned with capacity-building priceless. The past two weeks have Tangen added the university has student teachers will take part in a
through curriculum and strong ped- been an eye-opener. You may think a long-standing relationship with structured post-programme of work-
“We are aware that English is not agogy to enhance students’ learning we are from two different worlds but IPGKIK. “Many IPGKIK students shops.
the first language for some Austral- outcome. lots of things are similar. pursue their bachelor’s degree pro-
ian students. So, the programme is gramme for two years in Australia. “We will assist them to develop
designed to be cautious about the Kaitlyn, who is in her Year Three “Nur Ain Syafiqah is captain of Over the years, we have built good collegial and supportive attitudes
diversity of the Australian society of Secondary Education/English the ship and has been amazing.” professional and personal relation- valuing cultural diversity within
which has rich cultural differences and History studies, said: “We were ships with IPGKIK staff. their own group as well as with peers
and language in the classroom,” said briefed on not only trade between For buddy George Chuah, 24, it in the overseas context.
Henderson. both countries and how it contrib- was an opportunity to visit places “The programmes evolve
uted to the Malaysian economy but such as A’Famosa, St John’s Fort, St from year to year. We built on the “They will set individual and
“On History Curriculum Stud- also interesting facts about the cul- Peter’s Church, Tranquerah Mosque, strength of last year’s programme group goals, and draw up plans to
ies, one of the aims is for students tural and religious diversity in the Maritime Museum and Jonker Street and changed what didn’t work well.” achieve these through their short-
to develop Asia literacy — an under- country.” in Malacca. term mobility experience. They
standing of history and culture of Henderson added that QUT has will also share what they have learnt
Asia through a Malaysian case study. IPGKIK team leader Nur Ain “Even though I’m from Rawang, a “strong people-to-people link from this study tour with their peers
Syafiqah Mohd Darus, 23, a third- but I hardly go to places of interest among colleagues and IPGKIK, not in an open forum on campus. They
“As part of the programme, our year Teaching English as a Second in the country. I learnt a lot from the forgetting students who are develop- will have an assessment component
students visited both primary and Language student, said: “I was trips as I got a closer look at our own ing people-to-people link as well”. to complete their post-experience
secondary schools to observe Eng- excited but nervous at the same culture,” said Chuah. engagement in this programme.”
lish language, history, moral edu- time. This is my first time interact- “Evolving is a cornerstone of how
cation and civics classes. ing with foreign students. Acting as “While at the Islamic Arts
a buddy to the Australian students
“During the visits, QUT students has boosted my confidence. Enhancing intercultural competencies
gave 15-minute group presentations
on aspects of Australian culture to “We not only gathered at formal THE Outward Mobility Programme at mobility was then a new phenomenon understanding as well as developing
the schoolchildren.” events but also held a pizza party. Queensland University of Technology at IPGKIK, it recognised the multifaceted a better understanding of their own
Karlee taught us Australian tribal (QUT) continues to be a successful value of the partnership in providing cultural values and biases.”
QUT Faculty of Education’s dances and, in turn, Rekha (Dorais- course for budding teachers. equitable learning opportunities for all.
School of Culture and Professional ingam) taught the Australian stu- A tie-up with Institut “Over time IPGKIK and The Commonwealth and the
Learning senior lecturer Donna dents Bollywood dance moves. Pendidikan Guru Kampus QUT blended expertise Australian government partly
Tangen said the buddies were a Ilmu Khas (IPGKIK), and resources, and built funded this Asia-bound study abroad
vital component to help Australian “Their two-week stay gave me a the two-week annual commitment.” programme.
students connect with their peers better understanding of their culture course aims at increasing IPGKIK Year 3 Teaching
and help them gain a deeper appre- and traditions.” Australian student English as a Second QUT Faculty of Education School
ciation of the culture and schools in teachers’ knowledge Language students of Curriculum associate professor Dr
Malaysia. Rekha, 24, said: “It has been and understanding of acted as buddies to QUT Deborah Henderson said: “This is the
a wonderful experience and it is the Malaysian culture, student teachers. IPGKIK second year of the programme. We
languages, history as project manager Amyzar have funding for three years and are
well as their intercultural Shaari Osman Alwi said it was a defining hoping for another three years.
capabilities. experience in their life.
IPGKIK director Shaari Osman “It gave them a heightened level of “The course gives Australian
said: “This transnational programme cultural awareness and international students opportunities to experience
started in 2013. While outward alertness in fostering inter-cultural another culture based on experiential
learning. In doing so we hope they
develop intercultural skills and build
capacity in Asia.”