Allow students to converse at home so that they can master English

Parents can help their children who are of students to master English by allowing their children to apply what they are learning at home by conversing with them daily in the language so they can build up confidence, said the BELL Language centre principal Angeline Khoo.

She said that confidence can come if students are allowed to practise been conversant with it by interacting with their respective families in the language.

“Mastering any language requires a degree of conversant in it. No tutoring skills can be adequate if the students do not take the time to acquire proficiency by practicing what they learn and to apply the verbal aspect of such linguistic skills constantly.”

Khoo said that English continues to be regarded as an important language for the young to master based on the steady annual enrolment of students in extra curriculum classes.

A worldwide communicator language

Despite the need to also master Mandarin and regional lingua franca such as Bahasa Malaysia, Indonesian, Thai and Tagalog, English continues to be appreciated as a worldwide communicator language, said Khoo.

Besides Bahasa Malaysia as the main language because it is the nation’s official language, English and Mandarin ranks as among the top preferences for parents, who want to expose their children to the world of lingua, said Khoo.

BELL is one of Penang’s oldest extra curriculum English language centres, offering the Cambridge accreditation as an incentive to its students.

Khoo said that an average of 10,800 students enrolled in her centre since it was established by her late father Benny Khoo in 1971. About 100 students sat for the Cambridge Exams last year.

It recently hosted its 54th certificate presentation ceremony – which was held to celebrate the achievements of the students in learning about English.

Among the students recognised for their outstanding achievements was Teoh Shu Wei, who studied at SMJK Heng Ee, Khoh Ruihenz from Chung Ling Private High School, Teh Wen Paul, Sylvia Tan Zhi Yee, and Loh Yit Wei.

Khoo also said that students were encourage to use English upon entering the centre.

“The use of an English – speaking zone has given them more opportunities to speak in the language so they can improve their conversant skills,” she said.