1. Forum on ‘How to Improve the Standard of English in KIAS’.
People involved:
-Moderator
-English lecturer (Madam Rabiatul Adawiyah Ismail)
-Student representative, First deputy chairman of student’s association in KIAS.
(Miss Zinnirah Adam)
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Moderator: Bismillah…Assalamualaikum wbt..Lecturers,staffs, friends, ladies and
gentlemen. Welcome to this forum here at Sultan Ismail Petra International Islamic College
(KIAS). I’m amalina, now be moderating on conversation say about ‘How to Improve the
Standard of English in KIAS’.
Having a high standard of written and spoken English can improve our study and career
prospects. It is a globally-used language and common in industry throughout the world. In the
past decades, in Hong Kong, English is kept as an important language in the curricula of
primary, secondary and tertiary education for her to maintain its vitality in International trade as
well as tourism. However, the value of English should not be debased due to this kind of
utilitarian consideration because one can acquire all kinds of important information via English
and appreciate world cultures in literature written or translated in English.
So, without any delay, firsty I would like to introduce our panelists. On my right is Madam
Rabiatul Adawiyah Ismail, one of English lecturers in KIAS. She is responsible for many
English activities in KIAS and now she is struggling her Masters thesis on ‘The Needs of
Standards of English Language’.
Next to Madam Rabiatul is Miss Zinnirah Adam, KIAS student representative. The first deputy
chairman of student’s association in KIAS.
So, I will be asking some questions to our panelists. To start, I like to turn to Madam Rabiatul.
Before we discuss about how to improve the standard of English, we need to really know what
the standard of English itself is. Can you explain a little bit about it and why is it important to
have the standard?
Madam Rabiatul: Ok, thank you. Well, according to Oxford Dictionary, standard is a level
of quality or attainment. Standard is also that which is established by authority as a rule for the
measure of quantity, extent, value, or quality. Actually, everything needs to have a standard so
that we can measure the ability of the matters itself. Without the standard, something becomes
worthless, useless and less quality. That’s why in KIAS, lecturers are trying to set the standard of
English so that we can measure the students’ ability in speaking and writing English.

2. In addition, this is important to bring not only the students, but also all its staffs to a higher
understanding of English level in our efforts to achieve the title of college university. Hence, this
international language should be practiced frequently by all students in everyday lives to
improve the skill to a higher level as the standard level for a higher education institution.
Moderator: Ok, so now, we realized that it is important to have an English standard especially
in KIAS. So, Miss Zinnirah, in your opinion, as a student, what do you think is the best way to
improve the standard of English in KIAS?
Miss Zinnirah: Well, from my point of view, there are many ways that can be taken to
improve the standard of English in this college. Then, it depends on how the students and
lecturers respond towards the suggestions. To change, of course we have to sacrifice much in
order to achieve our target. Like people said, ‘no pain, no gain’. There’s always so much to learn
and it can be really fun. We just need to have the passion and enthusiasm to better ourselves.
It might be a good idea to use English as the medium of instruction in non-exam subjects or any
signboards in KIAS. For example, I suggest that all signboards in KIAS are made in three
different languages, English, Malay and Arabic languages. Any posters and advertisements,
announcements and notices should be made in three different languages. All people including
students, lecturers, staffs and general workers in KIAS should play a role and support each other
to make it becomes reality.
Eventually with this way, every person in KIAS is accustomed to the language and
unconsciously, the standard of English in KIAS will be enhanced.
Moderator: Em, such a good idea. What about you Madam Rabiatul? What is your suggestion
on this?
Madam Rabiatul: Ok, actually on behalf of English lecturers in KIAS, we are trying to
create English Language Club in this college. According to our random and informal survey, I
feel very optimist that many students are attracted to join this club association. This is enough to
convince us that many students have determination to learn. It is a good start.
Under this association, we can create and organize many fun activities or events in English
language. Something interesting can attract people even though they don’t know in the early
stages. We can plan English Week under this association including to organize speech
competition, acting competition, spell-it-right competition, forums, essay-writing competition
and many more. Indirectly, we are inculcating the students love feelings for English language.
Through familiarity, we hope to improve the standard of English in KIAS.
Moderator: Well, that really needs a careful and good planning for a long-term and continued
mission. We have to work hard on this and keep searching for new ideas to keep its existence.
This college needs someone determined and dedicated lecturers like you to make it happen.

3. Would you like to add something Miss Zinnirah?
Miss Zinnirah: Yes, of course!Don’t forget about campaign. It is one of the best mediums
to be using in many types of information spreading. I think college need to promote the love for
reading which will lead to the love for knowledge, and somehow will improve the language.
There are many reading materials available such as books, newspapers, articles and much more.
College should provide reading stations apart of library to facilitate students to read. The reading
stations can be build at hostels, academic buildings or even canteen and resting place.
Through campaign, we can promote about the importance of reading and learning in the second
higher rates of the most used language in the whole wide world, promoting the reading
stations, English club events, annual activities, competitions and so on.
Nowadays, flashmob is a type of famous information spreading medium. Then, the campaign can
be made in the form of flashmob around some strategic places in KIAS. It is such an effective
way of spreading any information or announcements.
Madam Rabiatul: May I add a little bit?
Moderator: Yes, please continue madam.
Madam Rabiatul: I think KIAS should apply a rule or regulation which is to speak only in
English language in class especially in English class. Of course, lecturers play the biggest role to
do this. But it is not impossible if everyone take it seriously with the hope of learning and
becomes better in this language. To achieve this, maybe we should set certain fine if students
don’t folow the rule of speaking in English.
We hope that every planning that we planned can be done and succeed. We just planning, and
lastly we leave everything to Allah. May He fulfill our prayer and hope to improve the standard
of English in KIAS. InsyaAllah.
Moderator: Amin. Ok thank you very much to both panelists. And thanks to all who attended.
May this forum beneficial to us and to all of you.
I strongly believe, if the curriculum and methodology of teaching English are improved, we do
not have to sacrifice the study of other subjects using English as medium of instruction. In fact,
doing that is not only counter in on and also against the trend in the modern world. When you
need to use English someday maybe in overseas, you can ‘make hay while the sun shines’. Take
your opportunity because ‘opportunity knocks but once’. If you want to success in English, then
‘push yourself to the limit’.
Good luck and assalamualaikum wbt.