PROPOSAL PERTANDINGAN AMALAN TERBAIK PENGAJARAN DAN

PEMBELAJARAN ABAD KE-21 PERINGKAT KEBANGSAAN

TITLE: English Core
1.0 Objective
Vocabulary is the core to learning English because it is the key to understanding the
language that is heard and read. However, the traditional method of teaching and
learning English vocabulary may no longer be effective and even boring due to the
drilling practice. If the students are lacking interest to learn vocabulary, it would
hinder them in the process of learning English. Therefore, it is essential to increase
the enjoyment of learning English vocabulary. English Core is developed by using
Microsoft PowerPoint which serves as a vocabulary teaching tool and it is presented
in the form of an English language game. The aim of this project is to ameliorate the
learning and teaching of English vocabulary by including the fun elements with
the support of technology.
First of all, English Core focuses on these three aspects of vocabulary accordingly,
which are phonics, spelling and definition. This is to provide repeated but different
exposures of vocabulary to the students in order to deepen their understanding of
the words taught. In other words, this feature of English Core does not limit the
teachers to only one method of teaching vocabulary, hence the students are less
likely to feel bored. In addition, it provides the teachers a systematic process to
deliver the vocabulary lesson.
Other than the feature of an alternative method to introduce vocabulary the students,
English Core as mentioned earlier, is in the form of a language game. It implements
the concept of play which consists of fun elements to increase the enjoyment of
learning by invoking their intrinsic motivation, hence, engaging the students
throughout the lesson.
The fun elements in English Core such as animations, graphics and audios provide
the students a multi-sensory learning environment which would effectively
capture and maintain their attention. Furthermore, such learning environment would
make the students feel relax and thereupon, lead to an active participation of the
students. This would improve the communication and sharing in the classroom,
consequently, the students are more likely to use the language and eventually
improve.

1.1 Synopsis
Through English Core, vocabulary teaching comes in a series of stages, where
each stage focuses on phonics, spelling and definition respectively. This is to
break down the complexity of learning a language, therefore, mastering the
language more effectively, particularly for Malaysian students as English is the
second language in this country.

Aside from that, English Core also provides different levels of difficulty for each
activity from the three stages. This is to cater the students different level of
proficiency so that the lessons taught are appropriately challenging.
Certainly, pertaining to the intention of English Core, which is to expose the
students to vocabulary through various methods, the activities included in
English Core are presented in multiple progression forms. It is based on the
pedagogical sequences of vocabulary teaching where the teacher would shift
between teaching decontextualized and contextualized vocabulary.
In addition, English Core is created using Microsoft PowerPoint, therefore, the
teaching content can be easily modified according to the topics and themes
intended to be used. Likewise, English Core is also a teaching tool which the
teachers can use at their own pace according to the students needs. In fact,
there is a user guide which provides the teachers a guideline on the suitability of
the activities and division of the teaching sections conforming to the students
level of proficiency. The user guide also provides necessary editing information
for the teachers when they need to modify English Core to suit their classroom
needs.
Overall, English Core is a language game which is based on the vocabulary
pedagogical sequence, from the aspects of phonics, spelling to definition that are
varied in terms of difficulty level. Then, the follow-up practices would include the
three aspects altogether which would exercise the students different language
skills other than vocabulary.
Below is the list of activities included in the example model of English Core:

2.0 Documentation Project

3.0 Significance
English Core is a technology infused teaching tool which it is created using Microsoft
PowerPoint. It provides a learning process which includes interactive technological
tools like audios, videos and more. The form of this teaching tool has already
achieved one of our objectives, which is to make learning more fun. A study has
proved that students are more interested and motivated to learn when technology is
used in the classroom (Cox, n.d.). Furthermore, the teacher is more likely to conduct

a student-centered class because utilizing technological programs give the student a

sense of freedom, motivation and encouragement needed in learning (Megan, 2013).
Other than that, English Core is a teacher-friendly teaching tool in terms of the
convenience of portability and accessibility. English Core comes in a soft-copy format
which can be stored in electronic device and thumb drives that make it easy for the
teachers to bring around. It does not require an internet connection to access. More
importantly, the teachers can modify the content of English Core according to the
intended taught topics without demanding high-end technological skills because the
software used is Microsoft PowerPoint and there is already a template for the whole
teaching tool.
Consequently, the teachers burden in preparing the teaching and learning resources
is decreased greatly. Thereupon, the time saved allows teachers to be more flexible
in terms of planning a lesson which is student-centered and focuses more on
developing students Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS). For instance, English
Core comprises practice activities which the resources are taken from authentic
materials. This is to encourage the students to apply their vocabulary knowledge in a
genuine manner. Such as the activity of watching Virtual Reality (VR) videos by using
Google cardboard which then requires the students to describe what they have seen.
As such, English Core also accommodates the 21st-century learning which
emphasizes in building students collaboration skills, critical thinking and creativity
(Framework For 21st Century Learning, n.d.). However, before teaching such 21st
century skills to the students, the teachers would experience all these beforehand
through managing and using English Core. This would not only improve the teachers
understanding of these skills but also equip the teachers with the skills and
knowledge to utilize technology. This would allow the teachers to connect better with
the students, as technology revolves around their lives. Then, the teacher can be
certain of what they can expect from the students, thereupon, planning and carrying
out the lesson in a way that the lesson objectives, along with the 21st century skills
are achieved.

4.0 Impact
Moreover, the designated sequence of the three focuses mentioned above is based
on the concept of Word-Solving. It does not only serve as an alternative approach to
teaching vocabulary, but also to train the students decoding and derive skills.
Before teaching vocabulary, it is important to ensure that the students master
foundational skills. This refers to the first focus of English Core- phonics. Phonics
instruction helps the students to learn common letter-sound correspondence. This
stage also aims to teach the students strategies for sounding out letters and blending
sounds into words.
English Core makes use of audios, chant and songs while introducing phonics to the
students. Certainly, with the integration of interactive technological media, it improves
information retention rate (Cox, n.d.).

Next, based on the concept of Word-Solving, during the spelling stage, English Core
focuses on instruction in structural analysis which develops the students morphemic
skill. This would enable the students to develop the ability to recognize words in print.
In other words, the applicant of phonics instruction and structural analysis instruction
provide the students the foundation to reading fluency.
Finally, the last stage is definition whereby the students will make use of their
decoding skill and recognition of words to aid their understanding of the words. This
is the session where the students develop independent learning with the guidance of
the teachers.
At the definition stage, the phonemic strategy and visual strategy presented in the
previous two stages would lead to linking strategy where the students would analyze
the visual patterns of words as a way to discover the definition of a word. In this part,
English Core includes an activity which uses pictures as a clue for the students to
discover the meaning of the words. This is to promote the students ability to use
contextual and visual clues to understand the meaning of a word.
Although English Core does not consider as individualized instruction for each
student as it is presented to the whole class, it could still enable the students to learn
at their own pace. This is because the teacher of a certain class has the authority to
decide the pace of the lesson and the learning contents while using English Core.
Since it can be easily adapted and modified according to the majority students
learning needs, therefore the topics used and level of difficulty are relevant to the
targeted students.
Whereas for the minority students, their needs still can be catered as English Core
has the feature of differentiated exercises for the students of different levels.
Thereupon, the teacher can give extra instructional time for the weaker students by
letting the class try out the easier exercise as well as forming groups for the better
students to support the weaker ones. Furthermore, English Core also has the feature
of scoreboard which serves as a record and reference for the teachers regarding the
students progress. Besides that, the scoreboard can be a source of motivation for
the students to do better.
Last, but not least, English Core is a language game that provides a sense of
continuity for both the teachers and the students. This teaching tool has divided the
learning process into three stages, each with the focus clearly stated. In other words,
English Core is an organized system for the teachers to teach better and the
students to learn better because they know what are the expectations and intended
outcome for each session. In addition, it is easily accessible and transferable, so the
teachers can review and edit the teaching and learning contents at all times. Due to
the soft copy form, it also can be stored for a long period without occupying physical
space unless it is deleted intentionally.
5.0 Contribution and Potential
Despite that English Core is not specifically designed for the students with autism, it
can also be used with them. It has been proven that Microsoft PowerPoint, which is
used to create English Core aid in the vocabulary acquisition skills of a student with
autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (Lindsey-Glenn & Gentry, 2008).

Furthermore, English Core is not expensive nor hard to acquire because the software
which is used to create English Core- Microsoft PowerPoint is usually pre-installed on
any laptop or computer. Hence, English Core is produced without any budget.
At the same time, English Core is a teaching tool with the integration of technology. It
does not require printing of exercises as well hard copy teaching materials. In other
words, English Core promotes paperless teaching that is environmental-friendly.

Reference
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http://www.teachhub.com/benefits-technology-classroom
Framework For 21st Century Learning. (n.d.). Retrieved June 26, 2016, from
http://www.p21.org/our-work/p21-framework
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assistive
Technology: Ricks story. TEACHING Exceptional Children Plus, 5(2) Article 1.
Retrieved June 24, 2016 from http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ967734.pdf
Megan, C. (2013). The Use of Technology to Support Vocabulary Development of
English
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