A Day Immersed in the English Language

The sixth annual English Language Event held recently was a feast for lovers of the English language. The highlights were a Public Speaking Competition Finals and the Essay Writing Competition. It was open to secondary school students, jointly organised by Sunway University College and The Oxford and Cambridge Society of Malaysia and held at Sunway University College.

The Public Speaking Competition attracted 173 Form 4 and Form 5 secondary students early this year. In April, they attended a Public Speaking training session “Be an Effective Speaker” by Mrs Jagjit Singh. 6 finalists were selected from a preliminary round. During the finals, three judges, from the Oxford and Cambridge Society of Malaysia, Datin Shalini Ganendra, President; Ms Elizabeth Lee, Vice-President (and Executive Director of Sunway University College) and Dr Scotti Albrecht viewed the 6 finalists who each gave an impressive and sometimes amusing four minute presentation on “Tomorrow”.

Mahendra A/L Karythan from SMK Seksyen 9, Shah Alam emerged the champion. The first runner up was Avinaash Sunbramanian from SMK Damansara Jaya. Both Candice Lee from SMK Taman Sri Muda, Shah Alam and Jasmine Jasnani from SMK Seafield, tied in second runner up place.

75 students from 25 schools took part in the Essay Writing competition. Students had one hour to attempt one essay question out of five questions. All scripts were marked by Sunway University College lecturers from the English Language Department, University Compulsory Unit and A-Level programme who ascertained the best six essays. The eight judges from the Oxford and Cambridge Society of Malaysia selected the champion, first runner-up, second runner-up and three consolations from these top essays.

The essay writing champion was Grace Kiew Sze Ern from SMK (P) Sri Aman who answered question no. 4, “What do you think are the greatest challenges that will be faced by your generation?” The first runner up was Anton Wong Shaun Ming from SMK Seafield and the second runner-up was Shahnon Lau Chen-Yuen from SMK Subang Utama. The Chief Judge was Mrs Margaret Hall said “The standard of the essays was exceedingly high but we found that the content, language and flow of thought of the champion’s essay stood out from the others”.

About 1000 students of Forms 3, 4 and 5 from 26 top schools around the Klang Valley, Seremban and Ipoh attended the event. Alumni’s from the two prestigious universities spoke to students. Mr. Chacko Vadaketh and Mr. Andrew Caie spoke on Effective Oral Communication Skills (separately). Mr. Syed Tariq and Mr. Mark Disney each gave their version of Effective Writing Skills and Mr. Walter Jones delivered Application Procedures and Entry Requirements into Oxford & Cambridge University.

The questions for the Essay Writing Competition were set by Mr. Stephen Hall, Director of the Language and Compulsory Subjects and Mrs Ruma Lopes, Director of the Australian Matriculation, a pre-University programme at Sunway University College.

Prizes for the Champions of the two competitions received RM300 cash, a trophy for the school and an individual trophy each. The First and Second Runners-Up received RM 200 and RM100 respectively as well as individual trophies. All the prize and consolation winners received Certificates of Commendation from the Oxford & Cambridge Society of Malaysia.