Berita Kampus

English Opens Up the World

Students Yong Julia and Michael Huang (left and centre) pitting their language skills against each other on the mobile unit.

At TAR College, English language plays a pivotal role in every part of a student’s life. From the first day they set foot in the campus, they are encouraged to use English in their daily conversation. The annual ‘Promote English Campaign’ spearheaded by the Extra-Mural Studies Department (EMSD) was lauded as the best way to assist students to weather their initial fears of using the language. During this year’s Orientation Week, a wide array of fun-filled language activities, such as talks and workshops, games, sharing session, a two-day book fair and English song dedication session were designed to help all the students to master the international language.

The campaign kicked-off with a series of workshops organized to prepare the students in adjusting to College life. Talks on diverse topics such as practical study tips, ‘mind-mapping’, speed-reading, time management and coping with stress were very informative and well received by the students. “When I first came to the College, language was my biggest problem. I had difficulty in speaking up and talking to my lecturers,” said Oh Kah Ee during one of the sharing session. Oh, a second year student in the Diploma in Business Studies was up on the stage sharing her experience. “In order to overcome the language barrier, you have to be more daring and proactive and practise speaking it daily otherwise you won’t get to improve”, she advised the freshies.

Good books, great deals at the book exhibition.

Mascots Terry and Tracy encouraged students to speak English on campus.

Apart from the informative talks and workshops, the English Language Mobile Unit was yet another interesting programme that gave the students the opportunity to have fun while learning English through creative games. As the name implies, the mobile unit, together with two cute and chirpy mascots went around the campus and made a stop at different student. They attracted a huge group of students who were eagerly participating in the exciting games such as English Tennis, Amnesia Attacks and Tic-Tac-Toe which saw some lucky winners walking away with attractive prizes.

The College, through EMSD, promote the use of English among the students by regularly organising various activities such as language camps, debates, public speaking competitions, forums, book review competitions and choral speaking throughout the year. Such concerted efforts are part of the College’s initiatives to provide students with a conducive environment for them to enhance soft-skills, which are becoming increasingly essential in today’s competitive employment scene.

Freshies were attracted to the mobile unit for its fun games and freebies.

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