ICT tools can help in teaching Malay

THE USE of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can be beneficial to develop better understanding on teaching the Malay language to primary school students.

This was said yesterday by Raini Pakar (pictured), a Malay teacher at Masin Primary School, during her presentation at a session in the 16th International Conference on Education held at Chancellor's Hall in UBD.

"CD-ROM presentation and interactive storybook are believed (to) increase the reading skills among primary school students," Raini told the participants.

Last year she conducted a training survey on Year Four primary school students from January to May. Out of 86 students from a primary school in the Sultanate, 52 were chosen for her research.

The research touched the issue on the effect of using interactive software which has audio and visual aspects in teaching Malay to Year Four students.

By using the creative resources, she explained, students were enthusiastic to learn Malay.

"The use of CD-ROM interactive story will not only increase the aspect of language proficiency, but it also to increase other aspects such as morphology and syntax," she said.

She also said that through audio and visual presentation, students would be able to learn about expressions, such as the tone used when someone is angry or sad.

She also said that the study proves that using ICT to teach the language can have positive effects on students reading and comprehension skills.

The teacher added that being creative in teaching Malay could change students' perception of learning the language, making it interesting.

"My pupils are now more excited to learn Malay," she said.

The Brunei Times