China students in Miri for summer English camp

Miri, 19 August 2013 – Twenty-six students from Jin Shan Middle School of Chaozhou, located in eastern Guangdong province, China attended a 4-day Summer English Camp at Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) to improve their fluency in spoken and written English recently.

The camp, conducted by lecturers of the Department of Language Studies and Humanities in the university’s School of Continuing Studies, was the first of a series of summer and winter camps of varying durations targeted at local and foreign students, particularly from China and South Korea, to help them develop general English language proficiency, and expose them to everyday English in various contexts and situations.

The students’ airfares were sponsored by Da Di Education Centre, an education foundation established in Chaozhu last year by Datuk Lau Siu Wai, managing director of the Miri Housing Group of Companies, to provide consultation for students in the province looking to further their studies overseas.

The students were accompanied by two staff of the foundation, as well as vice-principal Weng Jun Jie and a teacher of Jin Shan Middle School, and two representatives from Chaozhou Broadcasting and Television who provided media coverage of their trip.

Curtin Sarawak’s pro vice-chancellor and chief executive, Professor Jim Mienczakowski, when welcoming the students, urged them to make the most of their stay in Miri, to learn all they could from their lecturers, and take the opportunity to immerse themselves in the English-speaking environment at Curtin Sarawak.

He also encouraged them to be ambassadors for the university on their return to China and promote the unique learning opportunities at Curtin Sarawak, not only through the English language courses it offers, but also its undergraduate and diploma programmes.

While in Miri, the students also took the opportunity to tour the city and learn more about the lifestyles and custom of the local populace. They also got the chance to interact with students of Curtin Sarawak and discover what it is like studying at Curtin University’s largest international campus.

Curtin Sarawak’s team of dynamic lecturers delivering the short English courses for the camps has vast experience in teaching and training second language learners using the communicative and learner-centred approach, that is, through interactive activities, discussions, case studies and role play in a fun and safe environment.

In addition, the courses provide ample opportunities for students to practice the four core language skills outside the classroom.

If desired, an ecotourism component in the form of field trips can be incorporated into the courses. Currently, field trips to Gunung Mulu National Park and Lambir Hills National Park, which will be conducted over two weekends, are offered.

The students listening to a briefing by Curtin Sarawak’s Head of Department of Language Studies and Humanities Michelle Voon Huey Fen.

Students taking part in a class activity.