PENUTUR JATI –TELL PROGRAMME

THE TELL PROGRAMME

The Teaching English Language and Literacy (TELL) programme is a 3 year contract (2010-2013), on behalf of the Ministry of Education, to improve English through in-service teacher training with 120 English Language Mentors in 40 clusters of primary schools for about 2,400 Malaysian lower primary English teachers across 600 schools in 6 states: Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor. The project impacts 300,000 to 400,000 Malaysian primary children who the Malaysian Teacher Participants (MTPs) teach per year. Working closely with the Ministry of Education, Teacher Education Institutes, State, District and school officers, in teams of three mentors per cluster, mentors contribute valuable knowledge of the school system showcasing the best in international English language teaching methodologies.

ORGANIZATION

Each state is divided into districts with each district receiving three mentors to support and improve the English language teaching in their region. Mentors work with about twenty five Mentees from five schools within their perspective district. Mentee participants include year 1 up to year 3 teachers with varying backgrounds: non-optionist, optionist, and degree holders.

OBJECTIVES

This programme is to help the primary school teachers to improve their English teaching methods and proficiency. There are two main inputs. Firstly, there are Teacher Professional Development workshops after school which are practical activity based sessions directly related to teaching the new KSSR syllabus for Year 1 and 2, and the KBSR for Year 3 students. Secondly, there are daily visits to the participating teachers in their schools involving co-teaching and individual coaching.

Mentors will assess, measure, monitor, evaluate and report on the intended outcomes. This enables better English teaching methodology providing meaningful and enjoyable English learning activities for lower primary students as well as greater proficiency and confidence in using English for the teachers. Other benefits include a range of quality educational materials and resources jointly created by mentors and teachers, more use of English both in and out of class, and a more positive attitude to English.  Tell Mentors  will also assist the school leadership in implementing policies, programmes and other special projects to improve English in schools.

MENTOR’S Curriculum Vitae:

LOREN ELIZABETH TOWNSHEND

(English Language Teacher and TESOL/TEFL course facilitator)

PERSONAL DETAILS:

•  First name: Loren Elizabeth
• Surname: Townshend                                                               
• Nationality: South African
• First/Mother Tongue Language: English
• Email address: lorentownshend@gmail.com

Education:

• B.A Honours – English Literature. University of Johannesburg ( 2011)
• BA. Humanities – Linguistics and English University of Johannesburg (2008-2010)

Major subjects:

Linguistics (General Linguistics, Sociolinguists, Psycholinguistics, Editing Theory and Practice, Translation Theory and Practice) and English Literature.

Minor subjects:

Education, French, Sociology, Religious Studies.

Awards:

•  Member of the Golden Key International Honours Society for excellence in academics.
• Selected for the Dean’s list of top achievers in the faculty of Humanities in 2010.
• Top Student award for Linguistics 3 in 2010.
• Awarded a full bursary for my postgraduate Honours degree from the University of Johannesburg for academic excellence.

 

TEFL Worldwide, Prague, Czech Republic- TEFL certificate (August 2005)

The course consisted of a four week, 120 hour intensive TEFL program that included 8-10 hours of practical experience teaching in classrooms of adult and teenage Czech students, and one-on-one teaching. The program focus consisted of teaching methodology, lesson planning, experiencing foreign language lessons in Czech and language awareness for adults and young learners.

  

Hyde Park High School – Johannesburg, South Africa (1998-2002)

Previous Work Experience:

University of the Witwatersrand – Wits Language School, Johannesburg, South Africa (February 2011 – December 2011)

Position: TESOL Course facilitator

At Wits Language school, assisted with the facilitation of TESOL courses for teacher trainees. Assessed and graded their teaching practicals and conducted group and individual feedback to them, in order to guide them in the right direction as successful future EFL teachers.

University of Johannesburg, South Africa (January 2010 – November 2010)

Position: Tutor for the Department of Linguistics and Literary Theory

At the University of Johannesburg, conducted group and individual tutorial classes in the subjects of Linguistics and Literary Theory for students in their first year and those doing bridging courses in order to become mainstream students. Occasional lecturing in this subject was required, as well as marking tests, assignments and examinations.

English Access, Johannesburg, South Africa (March 2008 –December 2010)

Position: TEFL course facilitator and EFL teacher

At English Access, compiled and instructed TEFL teacher training courses which enable teacher trainees to obtain their international TEFL qualification. Held the position of course facilitator for the part time TEFL courses, which required to design the course curriculum and run both the theoretical and practical aspects of the course. In conjunction with training prospective teachers here, taught English to foreign and second language learners.

I.R.Griffith Primary School, Johannesburg, South Africa (July 2007- December 2007)

Position: Grade 6 English and Drama Teacher

At I.R Griffith Primary School, taught English to 5 classes of grade 6 students. Also taught Drama and Physical Education to grade 4 students. This is an English medium school, and so English was taught as a first language rather than as a foreign or second language. The focus was mainly on English literature.

Qatar Aeronautical College, Doha ,Qatar (September 2006 - July 2007)

Position: EFL Teacher

At the Qatar Aeronautical College, taught English as a foreign language to corporate students who were mainly from the oil and gas industry, such as companies like Qatar Gas and Ras Gas. Taught all levels of English to Arabic students using authentic and prescribed course book materials, as well as incorporating audio and video materials.

ELS Language Centre, Doha , Qatar (March 2005-September 2006)

Position: EFL teacher

At ELS, taught English as a foreign language to Arabic children and adults of various ages and

levels of English. Constructed lesson plans and taught using authentic materials, video, audio

and course book materials.

The Gulf English School , Doha , Qatar (September 2004 – June 2005)

Position: Teaching Assistant and Special Needs Teacher

At the Gulf English school, worked as a Teacher’s Assistant for Arabic children in grade 2. Later became a one-on-one assistant for an Arabic special needs child with Cerebral Palsy.

First Friends Playgroup, Johannesburg, South Africa (2003-2004)

Position: Pre-school Teacher

At this school, taught a pre-school class of children aged 2-5 years old. Conducted creative lessons through art, music and play which enabled the children to develop important social and cognitive skills for their age.

MORE ABOUT LOREN...

• A hard worker and have a passion for working with people, particularly in the field of teacher training and foreign language teaching.
• An excellent communicator who enjoys a challenge. 
•  Adapt well to new working environments and enjoy working with people. 
•  Willing to learn new techniques and teaching methodologies.
• Particularly interested in learning from different cultures.
• A self- motivated and an ambitious person who copes well under pressure.
• A patient, approachable and enthusiastic person.