Empowering Young Ambassadors: VocaBoost 2.0 Program on Tioman Island

TIOMAN ISLAND, 22 July 2024 - Tioman Island The VocaBoost 2.0 program, a novel attempt to improve communication skills and environmental awareness, was successfully launched at Sekolah Kebangsaan Tekek, Pulau Tioman. 

This community project, which is an initiative of the Profesor Turun Padang (PTP) program run by the Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) Centre For Industry & Community Linkages, aims to give young students more self-assurance in their ability to speak English so they can effectively advocate for marine conservation. 

Associate Professor Dr. Zuraina Ali led the initiative, ‘VocaBoost 2.0: Building Tioman Little Ambassadors' Confidence in English,’ with the support of a committed group of language teachers. 

Thirty-five Sekolah Kebangsaan Tekek students took part in the program, which focused on vocabulary-focused activities meant to improve the students' ability to communicate in English.

Empowering Vocabulary Acquisition through Structured Learning 

The VocaBoost 2.0 program uses a carefully designed three-stage procedure to improve students' vocabulary retention, comprehension, and recall. 

The target vocabulary is introduced in an interesting and participatory way through exercises such as ‘Word Detective’, ‘Take a Guess!,’ and ‘Who Am I?’ in the first level, Introduction. 

Students' comprehension is assessed in the second level, Internalisation, by having to match pictures to the correct vocabulary, which helps them remember what they have learnt. 

In the last phase, Production, students are required to write a song as a creative way to use the vocabulary. 

With all of the vocabulary they have learnt thus far, they have to write two verses about their teacher. 

With this all-encompassing strategy, students are certain to acquire new terminology in an efficient manner.

Collaborative Effort for a Sustainable Future

Key partners including the Pahang State Education Department, Tioman Development Authority, and Reef Check Malaysia worked together to make the VocaBoost 2.0 initiative a success. 

The program's implementation was made possible in large part by individuals; Tuan Haji Shamdzul Ahmad, Deputy Director of Languages at the Pahang State Education Department and Puan Azra Tukirin of the Tioman Development Authority.
 
The focus of VocaBoost 2.0 is on vocabulary as an effective tool for improving communication with tourists and locals, as well as for learning. 

The phases of the curriculum are arranged in such a way as to provide students with the vocabulary they need to have meaningful discussions about marine conservation and other applicable topics.

The young ambassadors are now better equipped to communicate important environmental topics and encourage a deeper understanding and appreciation among individuals they interact with since they have mastered these language skills.

Impact and Future Prospects

The young ambassadors showed renewed confidence in their abilities to use the words they had learnt as the program came to an end. 

They are more equipped to engage with both tourists and locals, efficiently delivering crucial messages regarding environmental preservation and marine conservation. 

Their increased vocabulary allows them to have important discussions that encourage others to recognise and preserve Tioman Island's natural beauty. 

Their ability to speak English fluently will be beneficial to them in their capacities as ambassadors, assisting in the bridging of cultural divides and encouraging people they engage with on the island to have a deeper understanding and respect of sustainable practices.

Follow the journey on Facebook, and Instagram to learn more about this effort.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/JBh5CeRYfW3A1SGk/?mibextid=WC7FNe

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_KKcjbBOXT/?igsh=ZW92dmdtOHU4c2R2

By: Associate Profesor Dr. Zuraina Ali, Centre for Modern Languages