KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 16—The Language Academy at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) participated in the AILA 21st World Congress 2024, which brought together language professionals from around the world. The conference was hosted at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center from August 11 to August 16, 2024.

 

The Language Academy has sent the most presenters to the International Association of Applied Linguistics (AILA). All Language Academy presenters were gathered for the symposium “Learning English and Doing Good through Community Engagement Projects.”

The symposium, chaired by Professor Zuraidah Mohd Don, showcased the impactful community works undertaken by the Language Academy throughout 2023. It featured a series of presentations highlighting the academy’s commitment to combining language education with impactful community engagement.

1) Empowering Students as Sustainability Icons

Associate Professor Dr. Hadina Habil kicked off the symposium with a presentation titled “Empowering Students as Icons of Sustainability.” The objective of this project is to enhance students’ understanding of low-carbon behavior, make these practices more sustainable in schools and communities, and ultimately cultivate children as symbols of sustainability. The academy’s dedication to promoting environmental awareness in the next generation is exemplified in the work of Associate Professor Dr. Hadina.

2) Unveiling the Hidden Values of Seagrass Meadows

Dr. Nur’ain Balqis Haladin gave a presentation titled “Unveiling the Hidden Values of Seagrass Meadows through Children’s Storybooks.” Her use of children’s books aims to raise awareness about the importance of protecting seagrass meadows. Dr. Balqis’ work contributes to the broader goal of environmental preservation by educating the public, particularly young children, about the species found in these crucial habitats.

3) Game-Based Learning at English Camp

Dr. Hema Rosheny Mustafa introduced an innovative approach called “English Camp Integrating Game-based Learning.” Her project aims to transform traditional game-playing into a learning experience by incorporating educational objectives. This approach has demonstrated positive outcomes, including improved English proficiency, motivation, and attitudes among ESL learners, ultimately enhancing language acquisition.

4) Toys for Friends (TFF) – A Community Service Learning to Improve Language Learning

Dr. Nurhidayah Mohd Sharif gave the final presentation where she spoke about the “Toys for Friends (TFF) as a Community Service Learning (CSL) Program to Improve Language Learning.” TFF is a CSL initiative that encourages students to express gratitude through simple English letter writing and promotes the sharing of toys between more fortunate and less fortunate children. This program not only enhances language skills but also fosters a sense of community and empathy among participants.

The symposium has successfully showcased the UTM Language Academy’s advanced approach to language education, which extends beyond the classroom to empower the community. The four presented projects seek to integrate social responsibility with academic excellence, aiming to have a lasting impact on the intended community, participating students or staff, and the organizing staff/committee.