Nine teachers receive Inspiring Teacher of English Award

SINGAPORE: Nine teachers received the Inspiring Teacher of English Award on Tuesday.

The award, now into its fifth year, has so far recognised 37 teachers for their efforts in using innovative methods to engage and inspire their students to love the language.

Ms Rosvinder Kaur adopted information and communications technology (ICT) in her English language teaching some five years ago when she started teaching at Eunos Primary School.

One of the ICT tools she uses is "Screenr", a web tool that allows her pupils to record their readings and oral discussions.

"The pupils I (teach) in Eunos Primary School are extremely IT—savvy. At home, many of the parents use tools on their iPad to educate the pupils," said Ms Kaur. "For me, I have to bring the medium of education from home to the classroom to engage the students."

The nine primary and secondary school teachers spared no efforts in scouting for new methods to keep their students engaged.

"The teaching of English is particularly challenging," said Senior Minister of State for Education and Information, Communications and the Arts, Mr Lawrence Wong.

"It’s also difficult because our language environment in Singapore is complex, and it’s very diverse."

Mr Wong added: "Not all students grow up speaking English at home. And even those who do speak English at home, do not always get exposed to good English, or to a rich language environment. So our teachers have to be skilled practitioners, with a wide repertoire of teaching methodologies that can suit the variety of abilities and learning styles within the classroom."

The nine award recipients were chosen among 63 teachers, nominated by their students, students’ parents or fellow teachers.

The other recipients were Ms Jacqueline Yeo from Nanyang Primary School, Ms Fong Wee Miang from St Hilda’s Primary School, Ms Charissa Chan from St. Margaret’s Primary School, Ms Ignatia Wong from Yu Neng Primary School, Mr Jared Quek from Fuhua Secondary School, Ms Chia Hui Ping from Nanyang Girls’ High School, Mr Muhammad Ahmad from Tanjong Katong Girls’ School and Ms Solastri Suyot from Tanglin Secondary School.

They each received a trophy, certificate and S$2,000 in cash.

— CNA/xq