Speeches
Speech by Mr S Iswaran, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Education, at the Seminar for Tamil Language Teachers on Thursday, 25 June 2009, at 8.45 am at the Performing Arts Centre, Millennia Institute
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
Good morning
It gives me great pleasure to join you at this year’s Seminar for Tamil Language teachers. It is the last week of the mid-year holidays, an opportune time for a reflection of the work done since the start of the school year as well as a review of the plans for the new semester. I am sure there have been achievements and you should be proud of what you and your students have accomplished. Nevertheless, you seek to do better and accomplish more with your students. Your participation in this seminar is evidence of your professionalism, always striving to improve your teaching strategies and materials as well as enabling your students to make further progress in their learning of the Tamil Language. Teachers, we commend you for the unstinting dedication to meet your students’ learning needs and unwavering commitment to provide high quality of learning.
The theme for this year’s seminar, ‘Engage - Experience - Enrich’ is apt. In the current dynamic educational landscape, there is certainly a need for teachers to explore new ways of teaching Tamil and better engage our students. Approaches and strategies must evolve in tandem with the profile and needs of our students who possess Generation Z characteristics such as tech-savvy, multi-tasking and multiple-sensory. If we could creatively use technology as well as leverage on audio-visual and interactive media in the teaching and learning experiences, we would create a lively and authentic environment for the learning of Tamil. Learning of Tamil would be exciting and motivating and students would continue to use Tamil beyond their schooling years. The 3Es, Engage-Experience-Enrich would help teachers frame their lesson-planning and drive the teaching and learning of Tamil to a new level of excellence.
Today’s seminar is jointly organised by MOE and NIE to provide a platform for teachers to share their best practices and acquire new knowledge. Teachers who have successfully engaged their students in their learning will present their tried and tested ideas. Each presentor has a story to tell, of how innovation has taken place in our schools. It is heartening, indeed, to know that TL teachers have been experimenting with the tablet PC, blog, NewsMaker and other ICT tools. The recent launch of the Tamil Language Text Input Software is a step forward to enhance communication amongst the Tamil community. With this standardisation, teachers are able to optimise the use of technology in building new learning resources for our students. I encourage all Tamil Language teachers to continue to innovate.
Our teachers have kept pace with the changing needs of our students and taken on new and different roles, including resource development. Mr Mohammed Yousoff s/o Shaik Md, TL teacher of Blangah Rise Primary School is a good example. To realise his passion for writing, he has authored a Big Book entitled ‘Engae Vizhunthathu’. The book includes interactive and manipulative elements, which are designed specifically to engage young readers. This book is the first of its kind in the local Tamil arena.
Mr Yousoff’s project has the full support of the Tamil Language Learning and Promotion Committee (TLLPC). TLLPC’s Reading Programmes and Resources Working Group and the Pre-School Tamil Language Education Working Group will work together with Mr Yousoff to see how best to promote the use of the Big Book. I am also confident that this project will enthuse other educators to come forward to render their expertise in resource building. It is my wish that more teachers would put on their innovation cap and come up with more of such innovative resources.
Learning is no longer confined to the physical space of the classroom. Nor is it limited to prescribed textbooks. There is now a greater need to stretch students’ skills and knowledge beyond the requirements of a traditional school curriculum. Our students need to develop broader perspectives and deeper awareness of global, social and economic issues. Local and overseas immersion programmes organised by schools and TLLPC take students beyond the textbooks to real-life learning experiences. At today’s seminar, there will be a presentation on MOE Chennai Immersion trip and you will have an insight into the invaluable experiences gained by the participants of this trip.
The Tamil community plays an important role in supporting the learning of Tamil Language. An array of activities are organised by the Tamil community organisations. The combined efforts of teachers and the community have resulted in a significantly enriched TL learning environment within and beyond the school.
The journey to enhance the teaching and learning of TL continues. There is much that all of us can learn from today’s seminar. I wish all participants a fulfilling and fruitful day at the Seminar.
Thank you