ESUM TO LAUNCH ‘ENGLISH ON WHEELS’ FOR RURAL STUDENTS

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- The English Speaking Union of Malaysia (ESUM) will soon roll out its ‘English on Wheels’ programme, a mobile initiative designed to make English learning enjoyable for rural students while boosting their confidence and public speaking skills.

ESUM Chairman Tunku Dara Tunku Tan Sri Naquiah Tuanku Ja’afar said the project, modeled after a mobile library, will see volunteers visiting schools and universities nationwide, especially in underserved areas, to conduct interactive English sessions and public speaking workshops.

“We aim to visit schools and teach fun English sessions over several days,” she told reporters after the English Speaking Union (ESU) International Council Meeting 2025 (ICM) here today.

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The ICM, held from Sept 29 to Oct 2, features participants from 10 countries including the United Kingdom, United States, France, Australia, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Mongolia, Bulgaria, Lithuania and Pakistan, focusing on strengthening English as a global language.

Tunku Naquiah highlighted ESUM’s successful outreach in Cameron Highlands, where volunteers held a fun day for the Orang Asli community.

Addressing the decline in English proficiency among Malaysian students, she attributed it partly to insufficient training for English teachers, recalling a past practice of sending teachers abroad for intensive training that improved their teaching skills.

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“We used to send teachers to England, either to Kirby or Brinsford Lodge, for two years to learn English and how to teach it. Those teachers returned with solid skills and went on to teach English effectively,” she said.

She also suggested leveraging retired teachers for this cause and recommended specialised one-year training for future English teachers at teacher training colleges.

-- BERNAMA