Gift of books for better English

By STUART MICHAEL
Photo by IBRAHIM MOHTAR

stuart@thestar.com.my

TO RAISE the standards of English literature in schools, the English-Speaking Union of Malaysia (ESUM) donated over 100 books to SMK Anderson in Ipoh, Perak.

The donation, part of the “Gift of Knowledge” programme under ESUM, was presented by ESUM founding chairman Tunku Dara Naquiah Tuanku Ja’afar to SMK Anderson English teacher Mohd Azlan Datuk Mohd Ali at the Antah building in Damansara on Tuesday.

This is the first time that ESUM has donated books to schools. The books were collected from ESU from other countries.

Simple books like “Franklin is Lost” to more challenging award winners like “They Marched into Sunlight” by David Maraniss and “Collected Poems of Robert Lowell” were chosen to suit the profile of students who range from first to sixth formers.

Tunku Dara Naquiah looking at a book with Mohd Azlan (third from right) as Bernama editor-in-chief Azman Ujang (second from right) and Anderson old boy Jon Tan (right) and others look on.

“We want to improve the standard of English, especially English literature, at SMK Anderson. We choose this school because it was established in 1909 and has a rich history.

“To ensure that other schools are not left out, we are also looking to collect more books to be given to other schools throughout Malaysia from time to time,’’ said Tunku Dara Naquiah.

Besides the donation, ESUM’s “Gift of Knowledge” programme also will have a teacher visit a chosen school and teach students English and make it fun for them to learn the language.

Mohd Azlan, who was grateful for the donation, said that the books would be a great help.

“The books will expose our students to English literature. This is in line with the Government’s vision to improve the standard of English in schools,’’ said Mohd Azlan, who is keen to see students improve their English with the books.

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