Singapore's First English Language & Literature Teachers Association Launched
Ho Wenxin
(translated by Lawrence Zhang Jun)
The English Language and Literature Academic Group of the National Institute of Education, in conjunction with English teachers, launched the English Language and Literature Teachers Association [ELLTA(S)], the first of this kind in Singapore.
The purpose of launching the association is to allow all English teachers of preschool, primary school, secondary, pre-university, junior colleges, and tertiary institutions to be in one professional body so that they can share teaching experiences to help boost local students' English standard.
When interviewed by the Lianhe Zaobao reporter at the ELLTA(S) launching ceremony yesterday morning, its President, Associate Professor Oliver Seet Beng Hean, said that many professions in Singapore, for example, doctors, architects, and lawyers, have their own professional associations or bodies to which they belong. Teachers, as a profession, should also have their own prospective professional association.
Seet Beng Hean pointed out that the future development of ELLTA(S) would be focussed on maintaining the standard of English language teaching in Singapore and keeping the profession updated with the latest teaching techniques.
He said, "ELLTA(S) will enhance the professional image of teachers and to establish closer ties with similar international organizations. We are trying to raise funds to sponsor our members to attend international seminars to gain more professional experiences and to upgrade their skills."
ELLTA(S) will hold seminars for its members every month, and an annual meeting every year. ELLTA(S) will also have Special Interest Groups so that teachers of different interests can assemble to discuss, in depth, the problems they have encountered and share their experiences.
ELLTA(S) is also collaborating with the National Library Board to run seminars for parents in the next two to three years in order to encourage children to develop a love for reading. Next year, ELLTA(S) will hold English poetry writing and creative thinking competitions/contests.
Over 250 ELLTA(S) Members Now
ELLTA(S) currently has more than 250 members. Seet Beng Hean hoped that the number would increase so that all English language and literature teachers would have chances to benefit from ELLTA(S) and their students would learn English more efficiently.
Present yesterday were nearly 300 Singapore English language and literature teachers and educators. Ms Shula Nayer, an English teacher from Shuqun Primary School, who has been teaching English for 5 years, said that she hoped ELLTA(S) would serve as a platform which would give her an opportunity to share lesson plans and teaching experiences with colleagues from other schools, particularly in training students' writing skills more effectively.
Ms Lim Li'Er, Head of English Department, Serangoon Garden Secondary School, expressed her hope of getting more effective ways of grammar teaching from communication with teachers in other schools. "I think grammar learning plays an important role in the process of learning the language. I hope to boost students' English standards through effective grammar instruction."