Introduction English language is an essential subject that need to be mastered by learners.

Currently it is made compulsory , candidates sitting for major examination both in the primary and secondary levels need to pass this subject throughout the country. The subject consist of four skills namely listening, speaking, reading and writing. As educators, we must instil in learners the importance of the language and prepare them to use the language both in and out of learning institution. Each educator must stress the correct usage of the language as an ultimate tool in mastering the language. With this in mind, the English Panel of SJK(T) Jalan Tajul, Kota Tinggi implemented the English Week. Aims There are two major aims of the English Week. First, to strengthen and instil the correct usage of the English Language. Secondly, to encourage the pupils to use English Language in their daily communication. It is also the intention of the English Panel to create interest and liking among the pupils towards the English Language. Spelling Bee The objectives of the Spelling Bee are to:

Encourage students to explore and study the English language and its roots it Help students to learn to spell quickly, accurately and with comprehension; Promote students knowledge of proper word usage; encourage students to strive for excellence in spelling skills and other educational pursuits

Increase the vocabulary knowledge of the pupils. Provide an opportunity for students to meet and compete with their peers in an atmosphere of fun and friendship.

To construct words phrases and with correct spelling Help the students to answer the questions without any spelling errors during test and exams.

It helps them to score easily especially in these sections making sentences, information transfer and guided writing especially for upper primary students.

Duration of the Programme

The English Week was conducted for a week starting from 13th April to 17th April, 2011. All the activities were carried out within the school hours. It was conducted during the English lessons by the English teachers. Table below show the details of the implementation of the programmes.

Day 13 April 2011 14th April 2011 15th April 2011

th th

Class Preschool, 1 Vetri and 1 Vivegam

Time 7.20- 8.20 am

Conducter Mrs Suganthi and Mrs Sumathi

2 Vetri and 2 Vivegam

10.20- 11.20 am

Miss Devi and Mrs Deepa

3 Vetri and 3 Vivegam

9.20- 10.20 am

Mrs Suganthi and Miss Devi

16 April 2011 16th April 2011

4 Vetri and 4 Vivegam

12.10-1.10 am

Miss Devi and Mr.Kumaran

5 Vetri, 5 Vivegam, 6 Vetri , 6 Vivegam and 6 Veeram

11.20- 1.10 am

Mr.Deeben, Mrs.Suganthi, Mrs.Sumathi and Miss Santhy

Target group

Spelling Bee has been specially designed for all student - in both lower primary and upper primary - who want to learn English rapidly or improve their English language for knowlegde and learning purposes. In other words, this competition is designed principally for students in upper primary so that they will be able to write the word accordingly during sentence consruction and answering question in Paper 2. As we all knew that marks will be deducted for the spelling errors. The great variety of backgrounds of the course participants lets us become with more ideas to improve their abilities. To ensure that participants can keep up with the Spelling Bee competition a class oriented Spelling Bee activity was carried out through the English lesson weekly.

Report on Implementation of programme

Spelling Bee

Spelling Bee was the first activity carried out during the English Week. Students were selected from each class by having the interclass competition. The interclass competition was carried out during the English lesson. In this round students have to spell a word which will be given by the teachers. Only after they spell the given word they will be able to go for the next round. From this interclass competition students were selected for the next round which was carried out in the main hall of the school. Those who were able to spell the word are group according to their classes. There were 9 groups altogether after the selection. Each participant in the group had to spell at least three words correctly to entitle them for the next round. In the third round each participant was given forty five seconds to spell the given words correctly. All the English teaching teachers were given the responsibility to oversee to the progress of the activity. They were Mrs Sumathi Vengadesan, Mrs Suganti Accutan, Mr. Deeban, Miss Santhy Vijin, Miss Devi, Mrs.Deepa and Mr. Kumaran. About 27 pupils participated in this activity. They were divided into 9 groups with each group consisting of 3 pupils. Winner s were selected according to the highest number of words spelt correctly. Neighbouring school English Language teachers Madame Intaerani, Madame Thilagavathy and Madame Rajaselvi were invited to be the judges of this competition.

Out of 9 group, there were only 5 group who managed to continue for the second Round. The second round was a tough round. However there was a participant in group 2 Navin s/o Murugan who managed to spell all the words correctly and gave his group winning style. The outcome of the Spelling Bee competition were as follow. 1st Placing Group 2

Navin s/o Murugan Preetha d/o Ragawan Kanaga d/o Ravi

2nd Placing Group 6

Rani d/o Ravin Anish s/o Ragu Loga Priya d/o Vanan

3rd Placing Group 9

Theva Kumar s/o Aragennan Rashika d/o Tamil selvam Janaki d/o Suppaiya

Strengths and Weaknesses of the programme

Overall, the implementation English week programmes was carried out successfully and smoothly without any major setbacks. Findings however shows that there were some strengths as well as weaknesses found when carrying out this programme.

Strengths of the programme

a) Basically, all the teachers in English Panel of SJK(T) Jalan Tajul forwarded without fail their outmost co-operation to enable this event to take place.

b) Pupils, especially participants co-operated with their respective trainers and exhibited their talents.

c) The Parents Teacher Association (PTA) also did its part such as preparing food and drinks for all the members.

d) The local NGO also sponsored prizes for winners. Thus their role fulfilled the objectives of the English Week.

Weaknesses of the programme

a) Teachers, especially English teachers could not involve throughout this programme due to other classes that they should attend. Only during their students presentation they were

able to be in the hall.

b) Pupils are very weak especially those who are from the second class (Vivegam). They struggled to spell the simple words such as canteen, computer and uniform.

c) The venue where the competition took place (classes) for the first round is not suitable enough because it was surrounded by the classes of the other lessons which were very noisy and the conductors could not be able to listen to the students whose voice were very slow . In the end, it end up with giving the same student two opportunities to spell the same word.

Suggestions and Recommendation

In order to make English Week more successfully in the future, the English panel would like to give some suggestions and recommendations. First, it is suggested that the duration of English week to be extended to two weeks. The English Week should be made into a yearly event under the English Language Panel so pupils talents and skills can be further polished and exhibited to the public.

The English Language would also like to recommendation school administration to allow activities to be carried outside the formal school time table so that more pupils can watch all the activities at different time and place. School administration also must improve electrical equipment such as P.A system should be in workable condition throughout the event. Any short coming during this period prevented announcement which is supposed to be addressed to all could not be conveyed successfully.

All the teachers should give a hand during this programme. Although it is an English Language Panels programme when all the teachers involve in this programme various kinds of ideas will establish this programme to be more successful. Especially the senior teachers can produce more ideas based on their experiences. It is not only to seek for help during the programme but also it help us to build a bond between English teachers and the other teachers.

Moreover, English Language Panel would like ideas and support from all quarters ( staffs ) to enable the objectives of future events to succeed or achieved.

Conclusion

It is the sincere belief of the English Panel that the programme English week benefitted all the students and exposed them to the importance as well as correct usage of English Language. Students were provided with good English knowledge through the programme because it was carried out fully in English without any translation. As for the future, it is hoped that the English Panel will be more prepared and learned to carry out better and more quality programmes to help promote the growth of the English Language.